Community Forum

I have Crohn's since 1986, my son just got diagnosed with it too. He is 20 years old and still in college. Next year he will finish and not under the insurance of his father. Will it be difficult to get insurance in US with Crohn's?

 Reply posted for Moni.

When I retired from the corporate world at age 60 I had to maintain insurance from my employer as a pensioner { not cobra}. When I went on medicare there is no such thing as a pre existing condition. I now enjoy $0 monthly premium, $ 10.00 co pay for my primary and $ 20.00 co pay for my GI. Prescriptions are also reduced. What I am trying to say is hopefully the insurance that the govt. is proposing will be similar to medicare coverage. Medical costs have gone out of sight. Can socialized medicine be that bad?

 Reply posted for Rie.

That is good news.  I've been thinking my daughter is going to be stuck with this crappy Blue Cross insurance the rest of her life.  Isn't there some states that don't have this pre existing condition like New Jersey or somewhere back east.  I know the premiums may be higher since but at least no one has to worry about getting coverage like here in CA.  I just got our EOB for my daughter's CT Scan and I have to pay over $2,200!!!!!  We have a $2,500 deductible per person (4 of us) plus we pay over $1,100 a month for premiums.  She has satisfied her $2,500 deductible for the year already so now we pay 30% of negotiated bills.  OH...we also have a $500 deductible for Rx which for her is satisfied the first month.  I'm thinking how in the world is my 18 year old daughter going to afford this when we barely can as it is!!!!!!!!!!!  It's very upsetting.  I'm with you though, I do hope things will get better with health care. 

 Reply posted for Rie.

That would be some great news. Maybe by next year when my son is finished having a pre excisting condition does not matter anymore. Keep me posted if you hear more. Aetna is a  insurance Civilian Employees in Germany use a lot.

 Reply posted for Moni.

I also am w/o ins right now ...but I have hope and hope you have all heard the news lately where BCBS and AEtna ( ? ) have sent letters to congress to say that they will no longer penalize pts w/pre existing conditions from getting coverage even at unreasonable $ amounts !

This really gives me hope - I have not had time to get more details then this ...so if anyone knows when this actually goes effective let me know please ....

But I think help and fairness is on its way !!

 Reply posted for masterchef.

His father is deceased Active duty and Tricare only covers him until the age of 23 if he is still going to school. I am hoping he finds a good job and they will offer health insurance to all employees and have to insure him. I think if he does not find a job he will just stay in school. We are still living in Germany until 2011 and my husband is also retired Military and under Tricare.If a company insures him they will not ask for a pre excisting condition, right?

 Reply posted for Moni.

the simple answer is yes, it will be difficult.

i'm 25 and I'm a freelance writer.  i make a very decent living and can pay for my own insurance, but i don't qualify for any coverage because of my precondition.

some states allow your son to be a dependent for a few years...new jersey up until 30.  normally you will need to prove that he either lives at home or is still a full time student.

i'm not proud to state this, but cheating the system may be necessary. not cheating per say, but bending the rules.

if your son graduates next year and you find he can get Cobra coverage under your husband's work insurance, than you should look into registering him at the county college or some online courses at school.  even if he doesn't plan to continue to study next year it could buy him time.

i understand how difficult it is. many kids want a moment after school to travel and think about life and what direction to take.  not necessarily to embark on a career or graduate studies right away.  if this is the case with him than you'll have to get a head start in finding out about Cobra possibilities.  if his Crohn's is very manageable, than he may get coverage on his own, but perhaps he might have to lose his docs if they are not in the new network.

feel free to write me

-Masterchef

cookingwithcrohns@gmail.com
www.cookingwithcrohns.com