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Denied Insurance Coverage because of Epilepsy?

Tue, 08/22/2006 - 23:06
First of all let me say HI to everyone at the forums! :-) I am new here, after spending hours of searching through google. I wanted to share my story with you to see if anyone has experienced similar insurance problems and maybe someone can shine some light and help me. I am 22 years old. I was on insurance with bluecross on my dad's policy, but got pregnant and since I was a full time student I had to switch to medicaid since my fiance had lost his job at the time. He started working again and I applied for BlueCross insurance in May of this year. I was on medicaid for 1 year prior to that, and on bluecross before that. Bluecross only wrote in their explanation that they had denied my insurance application because of my epilepsy since it has not been 5 years (i only had 2 occurences of seizures august 2002). Now I am without insurance and need some help. I tried calling many insurance companies but they all are 2,500 or 5K deductible, with 60-40 or 80-$2,500 out of pocket and small prescription pays etc. which are still around $200/month. If I could get on some insurance policy and pay $200 I would do that, but the problem is are they going to deny my application as well? Am I going to have 12 month pre-exisiting condition apply and have to pay around $500/month for medications for 1 year? I live with my fiance and he works and that's why I don't have medicaid any longer. My fiance has insurance but since we are not married I can't get on his insurance. My fiance works so I can't be on medicaid right? My real questions that trouble me are: Why did BlueCross deny my application? Should I try to keep calling them and hope to speak to someone who doesn't read their script in front of them and acually listens? Did they have the right to terminate my application even though I was never without insurance, and my seizure happened while I was on BlueCross? If that is all YES then is there any other insurance that I can get on? Thank you all in advance!

Comments

Re: Denied Insurance Coverage because of Epilepsy?

Submitted by Son of Cain512 on Sat, 2006-10-07 - 17:46
when I was first diagnosed with epilepsy I was covered under my step dads insurance. When I turned 22 blue cross blue shield dropped me like a bad habit even though I was still a full time student. Without insurence I cut back on neurologist visits and got my meds through Canada. The meds were almost one third the price through Canada. I was only having seizures once a year, which isn't too bad. Now that I am out of school I got a job that gives me health insurance. The only problem is that they don't cover preexisting conditions, except for the meds. I have tried finding coverage for a long time and the only solution I could find is to get a job with health insurence that covers preexisting conditions.

Re: Re: Denied Insurance Coverage because of Epilepsy?

Submitted by LunaBelle on Thu, 2006-10-12 - 12:50
Luna Hi I find all this very interesting, I worked with a company and was covered under their insurance, then laid off... I didnot take the COBRA... I was uninsured for 4 years, then when I went back to work I was covered under my employer's insurance without any restrictions at all. It should not matter if you are applying for coverage under a group plan (with an employer) or under an individual plan. You should contact your State Insurance Commission and seek assistant, also contact your local state representative to assistant you if have any problems. Further, you should not have to pay a higher premium for your coverage or have limitations on when the coverage begins. Limitations on coverage usually only apply to late entrants on group plans. Since you had coverage before, you should probably just show proof, and for all those who don't have coverage, what I did during those 4 years of unemployment, and when I chose not to use COBRA, I contacted my drug company and used their Patient Assistant Program and received my meds for free, and my neuro provided his care for free as well. Look into it. Any good Neuro will provide his services for you or will give you a referral to get your regular medical visits. good luck

Re: Denied Insurance Coverage because of Epilepsy?

Submitted by aquila316 on Fri, 2006-10-27 - 17:20
Hello, and this is a shame, we have HORRIBLE health coverage here. Simply put, if I am not covered by someone else's policy (I'm on my boyfirend's but they won't cover pre-existing for 18 months) I had to pay for it. The last time I had insurance was in the early 1990's and it was $480.00 a month. This is why I didn't have ins or meds for 8 years. Susan

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