That’s the word rolling around in my head today … along with a wicked sinus infection. (Whoever says that stress doesn’t make us more susceptible to illness is wrong!) So because I am hurting, maybe the word hurts me a little more than it should. It also hurts because I’m the one in the family who has always been especially conscious of making the healthiest possible choices. And yet that’s what we were told yesterday. I am uninsurable. Truth is I knew this was the case. Hubs was in denial, and wouldn’t believe me … but now we know for sure that it’s true.
Why does this matter? I mean, don’t we have jobs that give us health care? Well actually, no we don’t. I am self-employed, and not really interested in closing down my thriving business even if I thought I could get a job in my 10-years-ago field of expertise. And the industry I currently work in isn’t known for providing benefits – most people working for someone else are independent contractors. And my husband joined the ranks of unemployment in April. He’s been searching for another position diligently, but it’s been a struggle (and that’s a whole other blog post!). So if he doesn’t find something and start working within the next few weeks, we will be uninsured starting in January 2013 when our COBRA runs out.
Because I know you’re wondering, we have a state-sponsored COBRA plan instead of the Federal COBRA. His last employer was too small to be required to offer the Federal 18-month plan. And frankly, we are lucky to have this at all. All $1500 per month of it … ugh.
Knowing all this, we’ve been doing some research and applying for individual plans. The insurance company will call Hubs and ask him a lot of questions about his medical history. But they don’t want to interview me. He kept saying “it’s because you told them what they need to know …” And I reply, “Yes, that I have RA and they know they are going to deny me.” And he kept floating on that river in Egypt .. da Nile.
Then Tuesday night a friend (who also has a pre-existing condition) gave us the name of her insurance broker. It’s the conversation with him that put “uninsurable” on the table. He says there’s a plan with “guaranteed acceptance” that will take me. But will we be able to afford it? Will the job interview Hubs has next week pan out for us? What comes next …?? These are pins and needles I can do without … thank you very much. So cross your fingers for me and all the other uninsurable people out there.
<<political warning>> And please please please remember that voting for state and national politicians who support Affordable Health Care is one of the ways you can do something good for those of us with uninsurable illnesses we did nothing to cause based on our lifestyle.
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September 27, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Nan Hart
assuming Obamacare is not repealed you will be able to get coverage in the next year….check out the website to get the details on how you will be covered. I attended an Affordable Care Act workshop in DC a couple of weeks ago and was very encouraged by the news for those of us with pre-exisitng conditions….
September 27, 2012 at 8:13 pm
thislusciousra
Thanks Nan – I will check it out! Definitely need the info for the future. We’ll know so much more about how this is all going to turn out after Election Day!
November 19, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Teresa
I don’t understand why law isn’t protecting you. My understanding was that as long as you’ve had continuous coverage, which you must if you’ve been purchasing COBRA coverage, then they can’t deny you for a pre-exisiting condition. My gosh I can’t believe that sick people have to wait a whole year longer to be covered. I know this post is several weeks ago, I hope something changed for the better for you.
November 26, 2012 at 1:44 pm
thislusciousra
Hi Teresa – I do have continuous coverage with COBRA, but when you apply for private, individual (non-group) insurance you can be denied because of pre-existing conditions. At least until 2014 when Obamacare changes take affect. So far nothing has really changed for us. My husband is still actively seeking employment, but for now we are about 4 weeks away from our COBRA expiring. Even when he gets employment again, we will have to wait 30-120 days for coverage to kick in. Thanks again for your good thoughts!