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08-04-2006, 02:53 PM
| | Junior Member | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Posts: 74
| | | health insurance
My husband and I just lost our health insurance. My daughter and I are both have Type 1 diabetes. We didn't lose our insurance because my husband quit his job or because we weren't paying the insurance company. We lost our insurance because of a hospital bill back in December that was over $3000. It was her ER visit when we found out she had diabetes. And because we don't pay the doctors or hospital direct the insurance company doesn't have to work with us. We offered to pay $100 a month(thats all we could afford to do) until it was paid off and they said it wasn't good enough. So they cancealed our insurance and sent us to collection. The frustrating thing is the collection company has accepted $100 a month which is what we offered the insurance compant to begin with. So now we are paying $100 a month but now have no insurance. We are paying out of pocket at the pharmacy alone at least $600 a month. And that doesn't include the Symlin I had to go off of because it would cost me an extra $253 a month. I am so upset. I was doing really well on the symlin and now I have gone back to high doses of Huma log. I don't know how much longer we are going to be able to afford the $600 a month at the pharmacy. why are insurance companies so EVIL!!
Sorry I just needed to vent. It would be one thing if it was just me , but my 8 year old is also diabetic. She shouldn't suffer because the insurance company is greedy. Thanks, for listening.
Amy
__________________
Amy
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08-04-2006, 03:28 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 8,300
| | | Amy, sorry to hear that the insurance company did that too you. Unfortunately, insurance companies can do that. Have you looked at trying to get on Cobra or something similar. I'm sure someone else will post them, but I know there's a bunch of companies out there that help people in need to lower prescription costs.
Just a small question, did you insurance not cover hospital ER visits? Just wondering how you got a bill so large for initial diagnosis.
Good luck with everything.
__________________
●Blue Ash, Ohio Police Dispatcher
●Type 1 diabetic for 25 years (11 months old)
●Animas pumper since December of 2002
~IR 1000 (Dec. 2002-Jan. 2005)
~IR 1200 (Jan. 2005 - ?)
●LifeScan OneTouch UltraSmart Diabetes is an Art, NOT a Science. You must master the control by skills and not by knowledge alone. |
08-04-2006, 03:37 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: May 2004 Location: NC
Posts: 7,118
| | | Amy, if it were me, I would call my local health department and see if they can help out or point you in the right direction to get help. Or maybe Social Services?
I know that Blue Cross/Blue Shield has policies that may help you but they sometimes come with heavy premiums.
Sorry that I wasn't much help. Give these suggestions a try and see what you can find out.
__________________  Rest In Peace Jack- 5/1/08. You may be gone from us but you will never be forgotten. Our love goes with you.
24yrs of D, still alive and kicking. Either I'm doing something right or the devil isn't ready for me to take over. LOL.
Postcard Status: 14 of 20. |
08-04-2006, 03:59 PM
| | Junior Member | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Posts: 74
| | | Thanks, for the suggestions. I can't afford COBRA because it would be around $850 a month. I'm not sure why the ER visit wasn't covered more(my insurance only paid $20 of the hospital bill), but I did find out after the fact that my husbands company carries the cheapest plan possible through RMHMO. I called both of our doctors to see if they had any insulin they could give out that the drug Reps bring them , but they both said "no". I am trying to get the paperwork ready to give to our doctors for the Lilly Cares program. I am hoping we get approved. I have not been able to find a program to help out with the Symlin. It has been an unfun experince getting off of it.
__________________
Amy
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08-04-2006, 07:47 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The city on the edge of forever.
Posts: 4,843
| | | Can you file a complaint with the state insurance commission? Perhaps they can offer some type of assistance in getting you back into the program you were in, or perhaps another one.
__________________
Brandy
My Little Princess
August 18, 1990 - May 3, 2006 
Say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime . . .
Lead me, save me
from my solitude . . .
Say you want me
with you ,
here beside you . . .
Anywhere you go
let me go to . . .
Christine,
that's all I ask of . . .
(you)  |
08-05-2006, 09:17 AM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: CT
Posts: 4,588
| | | Amy~ I'm so sorry to hear about your insurance problems... I believe the Lily Cares program is a good one... and hopefully they will be able to assist you with the insulin, etc, if not the Symlin.
I have to admit that is something I fear... losing my job and then my health insurance . That would certainly put me in a very difficult position financially.
I definitely hope that you are able to work something out- please keep us posted.
__________________ I’ve faced myself
To cross out what I’ve become
Erase myself
And let go of what I’ve done
Put to rest
What you thought of me
Well I cleaned this slate
With the hands
Of uncertainty
So let mercy come
And wash away
What I’ve done
I’ve faced myself
To cross out what I’ve become
Erase myself
And let go of what I’ve done
Linkin Park~ "What I've Done"  |
08-05-2006, 10:11 AM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portsmouth UK
Posts: 1,608
| | | I think it's discusting that insurance company's can do that to people in the US. The fact that you simply couldn't survive if you couldn't afford to pay for your prescriptions and get no help is just ridiculous. Maybe you should move to the UK!?
seriously... it's all free here! We moan about the NHS a lot but when it really counts... they are a brilliant service for after-care.
__________________ Stu 
Type 1 Since - 24/7/2006 HbA1c
13/10/2006 - 7.2%  | 15/12/2006 - 6.0%  | 29/06/2007 - 7.1% | 02/11/2007 - 7.8% | 29/02/2008 - 6.5%  | 07/08/2008 - 6.8
Insulin - Levemir and NovoRapid | Meter - LifeScan OneTouch Ultra smart  Pasta is a gift that just keeps giving... |
08-05-2006, 05:18 PM
| | Junior Member | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Posts: 74
| | | Thanks for all of your suggestions. I guess I need to call my husbands boss and see how maybe I can file a complaint. I've been without insurance before and it sucked but it was never for more than a month or so. It's just double hard now adding my daughter to it. I really do appreciate everybody's thoughts and concerns.
Amy
__________________
Amy
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08-06-2006, 06:42 AM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1.5 | | Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Grove City Ohio
Posts: 2,116
| | | Okay I am a little confused. Did your insurance pay the bill and then come collecting from you for what was not covered? If that is the case I have NEVER heard of that. I would also file a complaint with your state insurance commission.
__________________ Jim  Diagnosed April 1990 Pumping with the Clear 722 along with the CGMS
Last A1C 7.1 ( February 2008 ) Diabetes & Endocrinology Center Of Ohio Website Proud Fan Of NASCAR Nextel Cup Driver Jimmie Johnson, Lowes #48 the 2006 AND 2007 Nextel Cup Champion. The opinions expressed are mine alone and do not necessarily represent
those of my wife who runs our house and makes more important decisions
than I do |
08-06-2006, 08:29 AM
| | Junior Member | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Posts: 74
| | | The way our insurance works is we don't pay anythingy (not even a co-pay) at the doctors office/hospital/ER. The insurance company pays their part and then bills us. We never get a bill from the doctor/hospital/ER. So we never have the option to pay a bill out. My husband and I feel this way is really unfair. Like I said before we have really bad insurance.
__________________
Amy
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08-06-2006, 01:22 PM
| | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1.5 | | Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Grove City Ohio
Posts: 2,116
| | Quote: |
Originally Posted by amyjean The way our insurance works is we don't pay anythingy (not even a co-pay) at the doctors office/hospital/ER. The insurance company pays their part and then bills us. We never get a bill from the doctor/hospital/ER. So we never have the option to pay a bill out. My husband and I feel this way is really unfair. Like I said before we have really bad insurance. | Wow I have never heard of such a thing.
__________________ Jim Diagnosed April 1990 Pumping with the Clear 722 along with the CGMS
Last A1C 7.1 ( February 2008 ) Diabetes & Endocrinology Center Of Ohio Website Proud Fan Of NASCAR Nextel Cup Driver Jimmie Johnson, Lowes #48 the 2006 AND 2007 Nextel Cup Champion. The opinions expressed are mine alone and do not necessarily represent
those of my wife who runs our house and makes more important decisions
than I do |
08-06-2006, 02:25 PM
| | Junior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Nebraska
Posts: 42
| | | That does sound odd. I've never heard of insurance being cancelled for this reason. Generally, the insurance company pays their part and they are done. The hospital/dr/lab bills you and your liability is to them, not the insurance company. That's an interesting position your insurance company has taken. |
08-06-2006, 02:48 PM
| | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 8,300
| | | What insurance company is this? Is this a big name one or some small one?
__________________
●Blue Ash, Ohio Police Dispatcher
●Type 1 diabetic for 25 years (11 months old)
●Animas pumper since December of 2002
~IR 1000 (Dec. 2002-Jan. 2005)
~IR 1200 (Jan. 2005 - ?)
●LifeScan OneTouch UltraSmart Diabetes is an Art, NOT a Science. You must master the control by skills and not by knowledge alone. |
08-07-2006, 01:24 PM
| | Junior Member | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Posts: 74
| | | Rocky Mountain Health Plans is /was my insurance company. They pretty much own the town I live in. My husband tried to talk to someone at the hospital, but they don't care about us because they already got their money. I did find out that Rocky Mountain Health Plans and St. Mary's is in bed together. They have a pretty sweet deal going on between the two. I find that funny considering St. Mary's is a non for profit hospital. My husband is going to find out who all we can write to/contact to cause a stink.
__________________
Amy
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