delightful.

[red_eft]

So, I've just been denied health insurance because of my 'history of major depression or neurosis'. Which, you know. Fuck you *so much*, US health care system. Anyone who talks to me about the evils of socialized medicine in the near future is likely to get metaphorically stabbed in the face. Just so you know.

Normally I'd post this in the depression filter, but I actually had a question, which is: the new health care laws say that I can be covered by my parent's health plan until 26. Does anyone know if pre-existing conditions will mean I can't be covered by that, either? I am frankly a bit too freaked out to really concentrate on trying to figure things out right now.

Comments

[amalnahurriyeh]

I'm so sorry. :(

My understanding--which is definitely not an expert opinion--is that if you are continuously covered, you are unlikely to be denied continued coverage. That is, if you are currently on your parents insurance, and you remain on it, then they're not gonna come kick you off. Probably. But applying for *new* insurance is what triggers the review.]

Honestly, this is one of the reasons I'm glad I've never been medicated/had a formal diagnosis [and I realize not everybody can do that]--I'm already a fucking cancer survivor, add in the braincrazy and OH SHIT I'M PAYING RETAIL FOREVER.

Depending on where you are/what your income is, there may be state insurance you're eligible for. Both my wife and my son have NYS insurance, and...well. It's insurance? It's not nothing? Actually, my kid's Medicaid is really good, if you're in a place to be able to advocate for yourself/your kid.

[red_eft]

Thanks.
Yeah, the problem is that there has been a gap in coverage. I wasn't able to be on my parents' insurance because I wasn't a full-time student, but for awhile I had it through my job. Then early this year I had an attack of unemployment and couldn't afford the COBRA payments. (In retrospect, this might be more expensive, but at the time...)

The new law means I can be on my dad's insurance until I'm 26, whether I'm a student or not- but that won't go into effect until next year, and my parents decided they wanted me covered in the meantime. (I don't know why they decided this *now* as opposed to when I lost my insurance to begin with, but they were offering to pay and I wasn't going to complain.) I tried applying for Kaiser as an individual, and no go. :/ And Kaiser is the company my dad is covered under, so I'm worried that they won't let me on next year when the new law goes into effect.

There is a state plan for people who are a "Major Risk" (man, my meds are like twenty bucks a month! I don't understand how I'm supposed to be so expensive!) so that might be my best option. I tried to read the paperwork for that to see if I qualify but I'm just not parsing anything tonight.

I mean. I think without the medication and therapy and stuff I would probably be either dead or really nonfunctional? So I can't really regret that I did it. But man, it is so fucked up that you can only get health insurance if you've never been sick.

[holli]

You can probably at least get a major medical plan-- basically it'll cover you if you get hit by a bus, and not much else, but if you *do* get hit by a bus you don't have to worry about bankrupting your family etc. I got mine through Blue Cross Blue Shield; they waitlisted me because I've been treated for anxiety, but ultimately gave me a policy.

[red_eft]

Yeah, I'm sure I'll figure something out, and it looks like there's a state plan for people who are a "major risk". But. *Stressful*.