I HATE my health insurance... <RANT>

[Bignate603]

I mentioned this in the health system thread but I'm still pissed enough this deserves it's own thread.

My family's health insurance covers college students (aka me) right? Well, I turned 19 in December, which is where the normal coverage drops off and I need to qualify as a college student to be covered. They sent us the cancellation of coverage just now, and I must prove I'm a student by sending a proof of enrollment from the registrar. No big deal right? How about this though, I've just gotten really sick. I've got sinus infections, my test for strep is still out but the doctor knows something is up, my temperature has fallen to 96.9 which is even lower then it was yesterday at 97.3, I'm usually right on at 98.6, and I can feel my chest burn. I think bronchitis is well on the way. The doctor prescribed some antibiotics that she knew would work, apparently the stuff going around campus has not been reacting well to some of the normal antibiotics.

Well, I go to the pharmacy today to get this antiobiotics. I can't get it because my insurance doesn't cover me, so I ask how much it was, thinking I'll pay out of pocket...

The pharmacist goes "14 bucks..."
Me: "Oh, I got that..."
Pharmacist: "...a pill"


Let's do a little mental math here. $14 a pill x 1 pill a day x 14 days = $196

I can't afford that! I'm pissed, I need SOMETHING. I call my insurance company and get the freakin after hours answering service. I explain what's wrong and the fact that I'm miserable right now because I'm so sick and they say "We'll call back sometime between 8:30 and 5:00 tommorow".

If I were up to even lifting my arm I would beat them senseless.

 

[ggavinmoss]

I'm sorry you're sick and hope you get better.

On the other hand, you should know when you are not going to be covered under your parents policy and the steps necessary to keep yourself on their plan.

Own up!

I went through the same thing. I proved I was a student and was paid back for any out of pocket expenses I incurred after my insurance coverage lapsed.

Good luck!

-geoff

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: ggavinmoss
I'm sorry you're sick and hope you get better.

On the other hand, you should know when you are not going to be covered under your parents policy and the steps necessary to keep yourself on their plan.

Own up!

I went through the same thing. I proved I was a student and was paid back for any out of pocket expenses I incurred after my insurance coverage lapsed.

Good luck!

-geoff

I had no clue you needed to prove it, and I would pay for it if I could. I hadn't used my insurance till now, and I find this out the DAY I need it.

 

[HappyPuppy]

When my son turned 19 we thought he would be dropped from our insurance because he wasn't a student. Not true. We discovered we can cover him until he's 23 whether he's a student or not. This is CA so maybe things are different here. Check with your insurer and also the state agency that deals with health insurance.

 

[vi edit]

When my son turned 19 we thought he would be dropped from our insurance because he wasn't a student. Not true. We discovered we can cover him until he's 23 whether he's a student or not.

That's kind of a rarity, especially with all the insurance premiums skyrocketing. I've only known of one insurance company that provided that sort of coverage. John Deere Health Care is the only one that I've known of to do it.

Count yourself lucky. Sounds like you've got an exceptional provider.

 

[Red Dawn]

Hey the Health Insurance Companies and the Pharmicutical Companies are in business to make Bucks, Big Bucks. Stop whining and bend over sucka!

 

[Lola]

i am gonna join in on this rant with you. I had the same experience today as well. Was on my moms BlueCross. I am on my own now (american Security) and they cover absolutly NOTHING!!!! I don't know how some people afford pill and meds, even with insurance:disgust:

 

[Bignate603]

Well, I think my only option it so go to the student health center tommorow and beg for mercy. Hopefully they'll have some samples or something i can buy out of pocket that would be less expensive.

 

[amnesiac]

Your school should offer some sort of comprehensive health plan at a huge discount. Most larger 4-year universities do. Check with the health center.

Also, what company is your family's coverage with? Is it through one of your parents' work?

BTW, it's also partly your fault for not sending in your proof of enrollment earlier. You should have done that months ago. Your parents were notified and if they didn't tell you, you get to slap them for free. Really.

Worst case scenario, get a decent plan (PPO) from Blue Cross / Blue Shield.

 

[silverpig]

I love my health care coverage.

Doctor: Surgery, blood transfusion, X-rays, new heart, brain surgery... $250 000 please

Me: *pulls out handy Care Card* Charge it to the government.

😀

 

[amdskip]

Everytime I go to the doctor, I have to have a form filled out by school since I'm 20 proving that I'm still a full time student.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: amnesiac 2.0
Your school should offer some sort of comprehensive health plan at a huge discount. Most larger 4-year universities do. Check with the health center.

Also, what company is your family's coverage with? Is it through one of your parents' work?

BTW, it's also partly your fault for not sending in your proof of enrollment earlier. You should have done that months ago. Your parents were notified and if they didn't tell you, you get to slap them for free. Really.

Worst case scenario, get a decent plan (PPO) from Blue Cross / Blue Shield.

My school does offer a good plan at a decent price, and yes my parent's work provided coverage. My coverage is with Capital District Physician's Health Plan. On the whole they treat us ok, but jumping through hoops to keep coverage, and the fact that I can't just get the stuff and prove I'm covered later, on threat of getting a huge bill for it.

 

[rgwalt]

Here is the key... don't get sick. If you do get sick, don't go to the doctor. If bed-rest, fluids, and soup don't cure you, drink lots of vodka. Alcohol kills germs.

If it is good enough for everyone in the former USSR, it is good enough for me.

Ryan

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: rgwalt
Here is the key... don't get sick. If you do get sick, don't go to the doctor. If bed-rest, fluids, and soup don't cure you, drink lots of vodka. Alcohol kills germs.

If it is good enough for everyone in the former USSR, it is good enough for me.

Ryan

I can't stay in bed, i need to go to class...

 

[Bignate603]

I know what I'm going to do! I'm going to sic my mom on those HMO bastards. Nothing like an angry mother on the phone. If anything will get me my meds that will. 🙂


I know it's low to resort to having my mom scream out their eardrums but she worries enough about me staying healthy when I'm this far away (she's a mom, she'll worry about my health until I start worrying about her health when she gets old).

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: Bignate603
I know what I'm going to do! I'm going to sic my mom on those HMO bastards. Nothing like an angry mother on the phone. If anything will get me my meds that will. 🙂


I know it's low to resort to having my mom scream out their eardrums but she worries enough about me staying healthy when I'm this far away (she's a mom, she'll worry about my health until I start worrying about her health when she gets old).

Yelling at your HMO will do no good. Read your policy carefully, if you exceeded the grace period to submit proper insurance information you're SOL until they reapprove you. The only way to get at them is if they violated any stipulations in the contract. If they say you aren't covered, but you think you are, you'd better have the paperwork to back yourself up otherwise you might as well go scream at any random person on the stree because I guarantee you they'll care just as much as your HMO does.

Like I said, go to your school and sign up for their health program. University health centers are generally very good and their plans are nice. THey often have a good network of physicians in the area too.

Otherwise see if you can switch to a major PPO and you'll have less headaches.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: amnesiac 2.0

Originally posted by: Bignate603
I know what I'm going to do! I'm going to sic my mom on those HMO bastards. Nothing like an angry mother on the phone. If anything will get me my meds that will. 🙂


I know it's low to resort to having my mom scream out their eardrums but she worries enough about me staying healthy when I'm this far away (she's a mom, she'll worry about my health until I start worrying about her health when she gets old).

Yelling at your HMO will do no good. Read your policy carefully, if you exceeded the grace period to submit proper insurance information you're SOL until they reapprove you. The only way to get at them is if they violated any stipulations in the contract. If they say you aren't covered, but you think you are, you'd better have the paperwork to back yourself up otherwise you might as well go scream at any random person on the stree because I guarantee you they'll care just as much as your HMO does.

Like I said, go to your school and sign up for their health program. University health centers are generally very good and their plans are nice. THey often have a good network of physicians in the area too.

Otherwise see if you can switch to a major PPO and you'll have less headaches.

Yelling at them has worked with these bums in the past. They just like to make you jump through hoops to get what you pay for. If you give them enough trouble and you're due that service (I am due this service, I am in school), they will pay up.

 

[rgwalt]

Can't stay in bed? Drink *more* vodka.

Ryan