Insurance Help

[rjoyner17]

I am young and need some guidance. I am a type 1 diabetic with a need for constant insurance coverage. I need eye exams and insulin consistantly. I am still covered under my parents insurance because I am a full time student. My dad just called and said at my 23rd birthday his company will drop me. My employer only provides me with a decent salary to afford my appartment, car, and food. What options do I have to get coverage through either a government program or anything else? I really need some guidance because I have to do something within 3 weeks. Can anyone help me?

[enigmalady777]

Does your employer not offer health insurance or is it that you have not opted to take it because the cost would be too high?

Government assistance is generally only available to low income individuals. Check your specific state for their guidelines.

Another option would be to check your state to see if they offer a high risk pool insurance program - the caveat here is that there is often long waiting lists and the insurance coverage is very expensive. If you are struggling to meet your basic needs such as housing, food, transportation and utilities, it's unlikely that you would be able to afford to pay for a policy through a high risk pool.

It is possible that you may qualify for free or low cost insulin through some of the Patient Assistance plans that many of the drug companies offer.

Here are a few organizations that can help you find such programs:

Need Help With Perscriptions
$12 a month for each Medication.
Call today 1-877-610-9060
Prescription Assistance - Prescription Help - Rx Aid (http://www.rxaid.us)

Prescription Assistance
over 1400 Medications available.
Annual income under $42K to qualify.
SelectCare Benefits Network: Over 1400 Medications for only $20 per Month! (http://www.myrxadvocate.com)

Needy Meds.
Patient Assistance Programs
NeedyMeds (http://www.needymeds.org).
Meds List and Company List

Patient Medication Assistance Program
Free or low cost to those who qualify.
Patient Medication Assistance Inc.
patient medication assistance program (http://www.patientmedicationassistance.com)

More companies can be found here:
Diabetes Discussions | Medication Help is at Hand | Diabetic Connect (http://www.diabeticconnect.com/discussions/1117-medication-help-is-at-hand)

[Keezheekoni]

If you're a full-time student, most parent provided insurance will keep you on until your 25th birthday. If you're not a student, consider enrolling at a community college or university straight away! :)

Often times you'll have to be without coverage until you get a job with health benefits. Unfortunately because you are able to pay rent and other necessities, you probably make too much to qualify for state aid. It sucks. Truly.

If there's any way possible to get insurance through your employer, try doing that. I know a lot of companies offer open enrollment in November, so maybe yours does too, and you'll be able to get coverage now (if you'd declined before because you were on your parents' plan).

[patricia52]

discuss the situation with your doctor. They can often provide you with samples until you can get coverage.

[notme]

If you're a full-time student, most parent provided insurance will keep you on until your 25th birthday. If you're not a student, consider enrolling at a community college or university straight away! :)




Sadly Rikki, that isn't true. My husbands insurance dropped my son at age 23 when he was a full time student with over 17 credits. They will keep him on insurance after age 18 if he is a full time student, but at age 23, your on your own.

You will have to find a job with benefits. To date, nobody that I know of has gotten individual insurance from any Insurance provider without the backing of an employer.

[JediSkipdogg]

Sadly Rikki, that isn't true. My husbands insurance dropped my son at age 23 when he was a full time student with over 17 credits. They will keep him on insurance after age 18 if he is a full time student, but at age 23, your on your own.

It's a state by state issue. I think the age varies from 23-25 depending on the state but one thing I believe all states have is you must be a full time student. Heck, if one takes that route, it's cheaper to just pay the outrageous premiums in a high risk pool.

Ultimately what we need to know is what state the poster is from and then possibly others in that state can help answer.

[Keezheekoni]

I stand corrected, Nancy. In WA, or at least on the plan we have, the kids have coverage as full-time (over 12 credits) until their 25th birthday. I was just checking this out, since we had an ER visit for my son, who is 18, last night. He got to have his appendix removed. Yay for him. :(

[notme]

Oh Rikki, I am sorry to hear about your son. Get a copy of your son's school schedule. Every time after my son turned 18 and he had a claim, they wanted a fax of his class schedule. Maddening.

I hope your son is feeling better. :(

[Keezheekoni]

Our insurance actually covers the kids regardless of their school status, until their 19th birthdays. After that we have to submit their report cards after every quarter until they graduate or reach their 25th birthdays. Weird rules. If we ever move, I guess it's possible our policy will change...

[owlyn]

I've heard that Starbucks offers health insurance to its employees.

[squidsdc]

I am actually going through this with my boss right now...her daughter was released from the Fed insurance at 22, and on my work insurance she drops off at 23 (her bday is Tuesday but our plan will cover her until the end of November.) Make sure you check the specifics of when your termination of coverage will actually occur.

It is the federal law that companies that are larger than 25 must offer COBRA. This should help buy you some time while you research permanent options. If the company is smaller than 25, there is usually a State mandate for "continuation" for a three month period. (continuation is similar to COBRA) You actually will have something like 45 days to elect to continue the insurance or COBRA, so even if you don't apply right away you will not be deemed to have been "without."

I'm not sure what part of the country you are in, but PM me with any other specific questions you may have. I am the insurance administrator for my office, so I may be able to offer some assistance.