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Linda
Brandwin, R.N.
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Linda
Brandwin
is a registered nurse and a medical billing
and claims specialist. For the past 10 years
she has worked directly with insurance companies
to give advice and guidance to the health care
consumer.
Readers may send email
or write Linda Brandwin at 5500 Single Oak Hill
Ct., Woodbridge, VA 22192.
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Finding
an insurance provider can sometimes be difficult
Oct 29, 2004
Q:
I
am 52, a resident of Colorado and I am self-employed.
I have not been in business with a reportable income
for a period greater than one year. My COBRA benefits
expire in four months.
My
son, a first year law student at an out of state university,
is covered under my policy and he will be 24 shortly
after my COBRA benefits expire. He was diagnosed with
Type 1 diabetes at the age of ten.
I
have been researching individual medical coverage for
each of us. My son has been denied by three major health
insurance companies. My coverage is questionable since
I had a bowel resection with complications two years
ago.
I
found a website from Georgetown University that summarizes
the insurance laws in both states. I understand there
is a state funded program for the uninsurable in each
state, but the premiums are prohibitive.
I
called the American Diabetes Association about this
issue. They could not believe that a diabetic was having
this much frustration and trouble getting health insurance.
I would appreciate learning about any other alternatives
I should research.
A:
You
are indeed in a difficult situation. I can offer you
a few suggestions which I hope can help. If any readers
have other suggestions, I hope to hear from you.
Call
the university that your son is attending and find out
if they offer a group insurance policy. It may not offer
the best coverage, but it may be better than nothing.
Find
out when insurance companies have their open enrollment.
During this period the insurance company will usually
accept all applicants. However, that does not necessarily
mean that your premiums wouldn't be increased to reflect
the high risk category you or your son might be in.
Consider
a catastrophic policy only. This policy won't pay for
routine medical care and check-ups, but it would kick
in if you had an extraordinary bill which is usually
generated from a hospital stay. This policy would prevent
you from paying medical bills which could be devastating.
You
or your son may be eligible for your state's Medicaid
program. Call them and research the possibilities with
a Medicaid representative. You may find that they can
offer you some very helpful guidance.
And,
lastly, you should contact your state insurance commission.
They may be able to assist you with some alternatives
or programs that exist to help people in your situation
obtain affordable health insurance.
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