medical insurance pre-existing condition

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
B

blowe46

Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
56
Reaction score
0
Members do not see this ad.
If I were fortunate enough to get into an American school, I will have to buy medical insurance.

I have a pre-existing medical condition that might require serious attention every now and then. It's not that serious and doesn't require expensive medication.

However, I could always come back to Canada if something serious were to happen but the very thought of being in limbo, being privately insured in the US, somewhat frightens me.

has anyone had any similar experiences?
 
Must be nice being able to return to your wonderful dream world of puffy clouds and oompa loompas.

My take, while I have no experience with your wonderful concept of universal healthcare, is that you can just get a cheap high deductible insurance plan here in case you get maimed by a car or something terrible. You can always go back home for routine care.

Or you can just get insurance from the school.
 
koko_eats said:
Must be nice being able to return to your wonderful dream world of puffy clouds and oompa loompas.

My take, while I have no experience with your wonderful concept of universal healthcare, is that you can just get a cheap high deductible insurance plan here in case you get maimed by a car or something terrible. You can always go back home for routine care.

Or you can just get insurance from the school.
Click to expand...

it's not that easy, I have to go back for at least three months to be considered a resident to qualify for free health care..

are school insurances terrible?
 
blowe46 said:
it's not that easy, I have to go back for at least three months to be considered a resident to qualify for free health care..

are school insurances terrible?
Click to expand...
Depending on the specific school, they might have free student health clinics and you just pay for the cheap generic price for the drugs that you need. You should still have a high deductible plan for emergent care.

For other schools, the insurance is typically pretty cheap. I was covered by my parents at the time so I'm not sure what the benefits were. I'm sure others on here will have more insight.

Regardless, I think this topic is very area specific. In CA, we have a cheap & good private company that only operates in a few states. In major cities, you can usually use free clinics for routine care and get a high deductible plan as backup.
 
Last edited:
I also believe, and this might be incorrect, schools buy "blocks" of plans so to speak so that everyone that buys in gets the same coverage, regardless of pre-existing condition. Since a lot of people buy in and they are all relatively healthy, compared to the general population, the price is fixed. In the long run, the insurance company won't be affected by someone with a pre-existing condition due to only that person or a few potentially needing expensive care versus the rest of the lot who probably won't use the plan unless something catastrophic happens.

Anyone confirm?
 
My experience has been that you will be able to be insured under your schools policy, however since it is a pre-existing condition, your schools insurance may require you to prove that you have held insurance previously and they may attempt to submit the claim to that insurer as the condition was first discovered when you held that policy. That's at least how it happens with most US policies I've come across, I don't know how it works if the former insurance is Canadian Socialized Healthcare.

When you get into school, I'd contact your schools student life office or the insurance company they work with and see if you can get details.
 
My insurance requires a notice of verifiable coverage for pre-existing conditions, else you'll have to wait six month before the plan will cover the expenses associated with that condition.
 
I get cluster headaches painful but completely benign condition and was turned down by virtually every single company there is. I am 34 and otherwise healthy and essentially un-insurable. I guess I am one of the irresponsible dirtbags all the conservatives refer too regarding changes in health care.

If it wasn't for SOMA's group plan through the school I would get nothing...not even medicaid.
 
blowe46 said:
it's not that easy, I have to go back for at least three months to be considered a resident to qualify for free health care..

are school insurances terrible?
Click to expand...

Not sure what province you're from, but Ontario lets you keep your OHIP if you're studying outside of the province.
 
Or, get officially "diagnosed" once you have the US pre-paid medical plan, then it's not pre-existing. If it ever comes up, tell them you didn't trust those Canadian doctors and wanted a real American MD one to verify their looney claims.

My med school had our pre-paid medical plan through a University HMO, which went through our university hospital and all their affiliates. I think it was quite nice.

(PS, I say pre-paid medical plans, because US insurance is a misnomer. Insurance is for when catastropic things happen).
 
Impromptu said:
Or, get officially "diagnosed" once you have the US pre-paid medical plan, then it's not pre-existing. If it ever comes up, tell them you didn't trust those Canadian doctors and wanted a real American MD one to verify their looney claims.

My med school had our pre-paid medical plan through a University HMO, which went through our university hospital and all their affiliates. I think it was quite nice.

(PS, I say pre-paid medical plans, because US insurance is a misnomer. Insurance is for when catastropic things happen).
Click to expand...

Impromptu, I've tried this. The american companies will refuse to pay for any claim you make unless you "prove" you it wasn't pre-existing. In my case I had to chase down all the medical records from every doctor I ever saw in my life and send the records to the company.

They still accused me of "being diagnosed in secret" and being dishonest and hence refused to pay for any claim I ever made.

Basically there is a special place in hell reserved for american health insurance companies.
 
Octagonecology said:
Impromptu, I've tried this. The american companies will refuse to pay for any claim you make unless you "prove" you it wasn't pre-existing. In my case I had to chase down all the medical records from every doctor I ever saw in my life and send the records to the company.

They still accused me of "being diagnosed in secret" and being dishonest and hence refused to pay for any claim I ever made.

Basically there is a special place in hell reserved for american health insurance companies.
Click to expand...
Did you know that 70% of the annual health expenditure in this country goes to pay the CEO of United Healthcare?

True story a la Elizabeth Edwards (2009).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Question about Biology pre-requisites for medical schools
Replies
5
Views
1K
eigen
eigen
C
  • Question Question
Medical School Prerequisite Question
Replies
1
Views
843
LizzyM
LizzyM
B
Deferred Pre-II
Replies
7
Views
784
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
I
pre-writing secondaries
Replies
4
Views
1K
MD_Maker
MD_Maker
J
Interview Prep / Dress Code
Replies
11
Views
2K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Top