insurance

[bonnie in indiana]

I didn't know where to put this. I am a diabetic and take insulin shots. Single,working, own my place, 56 yrs old.
The company that I work for is not going to offer medical insurance after Jan. 1. I am on my own , they are not gonna help.
I don't make much money--enough just to make ends meet. After not sleeping for a week and not eating, and talking to almost fifty agents, I am ready to shoot my animals and me. There is nothig out there. W/o insurance my meds would cost $500.00 is a month. Most of that is for the insulin. Found a plan for over $300, Might as well be 3 million. The assistance programs--you must be unemployed for 6 months and under the federal poverty lines.
There are high cost insurance, indemnity insurance, discount plans, just plain bogus plans. Anyway people and manipulate a person---its out there. If I knew the answer, I could sell it and have all the money I could ever spend...and it is all about money.
I even asked a friend to marry me--he is getting ready to retire---the idea is a little unrealalistic.
I cannot be the only one that cannot get insurance.
It just seems so helpless and I cannot believe that I am spilling my guts to all of you. I don't want sympathy, I just want a solution and in my own little world, I just ain't quite ready to die yet

[Alice In TX/MO]

In Texas, they have the Assigned Risk Health Pool for folks who have been turned down. Check to see if your state has some program.

Unfortunately, $300 a month is pretty reasonable for independent health insurance.

You can get catastrophic coverage that doesn't cover your meds, etc, but will give you coverage if you are hospitalized, etc. I used to use Reserve National for that for my sons. http://www.reservenational.com/

You aren't the only one. A *lot* of people are in your boat. Many opt to not have health insurance. That would scare me to death.

[crafty2002]

Hi Bonnie. This is something I was going to post anyway, but hadn't got around to it.
I was given some boxes of books and while going through them I found a Country Living magazine. I haven't called about this yet and it's from a Feb. 2006 issue so I don't know what the deal is but there is a full page add for "Finally, Affordable Healthcare" PS FAMILY HEALTHCARE
Heres what it says.
Designed for business owners, individuals and families.
Entire Family only $59.93 per month.
All pre-existing conditions accepted. No limitations on usage.
No age restrictions.
Medical
Dental Vision
Prescriptions
ALSO INCLUDES
Doctor visits
Hospitalization* * PSFH Hospitalization is not available in MD., N.C., and
Va.
Long-tern care 24 hr. nurse hotline
Chiropractic
Diabetic supply program
Childrens braces
Eye glasses
and More
Call now!!
1-800-827-1638
source code: W-4591


I am glad you asked because I had forgot all about it and the magazine was in a box going out for trash. I looked everywhere before I found it. I never would have if I hadn't left the book open to the right page because I thought the cove was another one. THANKS FOR ASKING THE QUESTION AND WAKING ME UP

Note: My sister said it may be a scam and before I sent any money to call a few doctors and ask about the company because she remembered seeing something on TV about insurance scams, so be careful.
Good luck
Dennis

I am going to call later today and get the low down on it. I will post what I find out about it after I do. I hope it's for real.

[Terri]

Contact the Montel Williams association. They help with these problems.

[bonnie in indiana]

Terri....thanks, been there. I am employed. I make more than 10Grand a year. I have looked at all the assistance places. I am where most are. 49% of the US is now uninsurred and of that 49%, more than half are working.
I just cannot come up with $450-500 a month--it is just not there and I live very modestly

Because I will die w/o insulin, it just does not matter---there is no help. And that just ain't right. I have worked every day since I got out of school--I don't take vacations and am never sick and it seems that I will just fade away. It SUCKS and I am starting to feel bitter.

If I commit a CRIME an am in jail----I WILL get the life saving insulin that I need.

[Wendy]

Bonnie,

Have you asked the doctor for samples? My mom gets her insulin & most of her meds as samples from her doctor.

Also, check this out:

http://www.in.gov/fssa/hip/

It's a health plan that Indiana is starting in January for uninsured adults. Check to see if you qualify. They have an application you can print from the website. I kow the limits are different than the federal poverty level limits. Read up on it. It might help you. There are some frequently asked questions to the right side of the page.

[calliemoonbeam]

Bonnie, in Oklahoma there is a county program where you can buy your prescriptions at cost, everything except schedule II narcotics. It is for low-income people, but not as stringent as other assistance programs. You have to fill out an application and be approved which is good for one year. On some medications it saves 90% over pharmacy prices.

There are also two different clinic systems sponsored by two teaching hospitals here where they base your fees on income (usually around $25 per visit). You have to see residents, but there is an attending physician supervising them at all times.

Also, up in Denver they have a county program where you're seen at the teaching hospital clinics and get your prescriptions for $3 - $6 each. It's based on income also and is even more lenient than the Oklahoma program.

It wouldn't hurt to check with your county or local teaching hospitals and see if they have a program like one of these. I've been where you are and totally understand your frustration. HTH!

[Terri]

It might be time to quietly job hunt, also.

[dragonfly1113]

When I was a single mom I had very little money. I needed meds and could not afford them so my doctors office had me fill out some forms to be sent to certain drug companies and they sent me my meds for free. All I had to do was pay the shipping. At that time I was not yet dx as a type 1 diabetic so I do not know if they do that with the insulin. I would think that they do. If your doctor can not give you the information on this program then figure out who the drug company that makes your insulin and call them and see if they have an assistance program. If they dont then call other companies that have the insulin you need. Dont give up and keep looking, there are ways to find help. If you still have ins. they may turn you down but once you dont have it they should help.
I hope this helps.
Susie

[Hoop]

I happen to think its a disgrace that the richest nation on earth doesn't have universal health coverage, preferring instead to let hard working individuals such as yourself, fall through the cracks.
Not sure there is any solution. Most state gov't programs for the uninsured are centered around children. Hardworking people that aren't fortunate enough to have a good paying job have few options.

The fact that you're even considering (a sham) marriage shows that few, if any options exist.

I would expect your health insurance costs, given your age, medical conditions, with a LEGITIMATE company, and having a $2500 yearly deductible to be in the $300/$400 per month premium.

Unfortunately, there is a widely held view in this country that if you can't afford things such as health insurance, you're either lazy, stupid or both. It is why universal health coverage in this country will never happen.

[bonnie in indiana]

Hoop,
You are on target with the $300-400 a month premium. That is what I can find a little insurance with. With a take-home pay of $400/wk it might as well be a million. I could not pay the morgage (very small) ,Visa bill of 3000.00 and hosp. bill of 3000.00 and the general house bills, and I have 1 pig a few chickens and 3 cats. Drive a 93 Ranger. I don't go anywhere but to work, feed store, drug store, grocery. It is amazing how predictable I am. I have 7 acres of sandy ground and a small house that was paid for till I built the 2 small barns and the furnace had to be replaced.
Now that you know way tooo much about me---I still don't feel any better and still won't be able to get the drugs I need. I just don't qualify. Guess I am having a pity party and now that I posted EVERONE knows. Thanks for listening and please pray for all the people with out insurance.

[Beltane]

Bonnie - please don't give up. Check out the community action programs in your state incap.com . Give them a call - these folks know about ALL KINDS of programs that you may not even be aware of. I work for a non-profit community action group in NH. We handle 72 programs from fuel assistance to housing. Give them a call.

[Pelenaka]

For the majority of my life I haven't had health insurance despite being a Nurse. Here's what worked for me;
Utilized Planned Parenthood - fees based on income. They have access to a whole network of free to sliding scale like mamograms. I have talked a N.P. into subscribing antibotics when all I there for was a yearly check.
In N.Y. some stupid law says that while major insurance co. can get by with paying only a percentage of an office visit say $45 of a $90 visit everyone else must pay the whole amount. Called around spoke with Dr.'s billers offerring cash if I could get a discount since I didn't have insurance. Dr.'s NOT affiliated with a hospital have more leeway in granting discounts.
Whenever you see those free clinics at drugstores/VFW Posts attend. Don't pay for a cholesterol or glaucoma screenings.
County Health Clinics offer flu, immunizations & TB tests without the overhead.
As calliemoonbean suggested teaching hospitals. Be aware booking an appointment can take a while.
Stockpile meds, testing strips & syringes now. Use a different pharmacy if need be.
Keep your own medical records in a nice handy folder with dividers ect.
Keep your free screening results, lists of meds, reports, xrays, etc.
Transferring medical records is not only time consumming but usually your charged a nickel a page copy fee.
Always have Dr. or his Nurse write "Copy to patient" on a script for bloodwork/XRay report. This insures you can have a copy.
Having your own medical record keeps you in the loop and shows a new doc your an active partner. A healthcare provider will go that extra step for a patient who is involved.
AAA the road plan has a pharmacy discount. Last year the discount from our meds paid for the $85 membership fee tree times over. Not to mention the tow.
Speak with your pharmacist. He knows which of those self pay plans are legit, if his company has any grant programs/discounts. I have talked a Wally World Pharmacist into giving a new Mom with triplets a discount on high calorie formula.
American Diabetes Ass. should beable to point you to local resorces -
http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp

Oh something I learned last year in NY Chiropractor's can script for xrays but not meds. So when I think I broke a bone pay $35 for an office visit to have my back cracked & do a oh by the way my ankle is tender could it be broke. Then use a xray lab NOT hospital affiliated - way cheaper. 3 ankle views for $40 report filed in my folder.
Good luck, we feel for you.
~~ pelenaka ~~

[treesonggal]

Dear Bonnie,

First of all, most people on HT are here to learn and support one another - not judge you. So now we know "EVERYTHING" about you?

I doubt it. We don't know your talents, your dreams, your fears (other than this insulin dilema), your looks, your history, etc. And quite frankly, you're probably like most of the rest of us - HUMAN!!!

And before I sound like a mean bitch, let me say that I feel for you and COMPLETELY understand what you're experiencing. I am a diabetic, though not insulin dependent at this time. But I do have fibromyalgia and MS and I DO NOT take any of the meds prescribed to me.

The reason? NO INSURANCE!

I got so fed up (like you're feeling now) that I quit working, signed my place back over the the contract holder, and moved in with my boyfriend. In other words, I INTENTIONALLY made myself poor. In fact, WAY below the poverty level.

Today I dropped off the paperwork for the Adult Medical Program here in Michigan. It only became available again on December 1st.

I am sick and tired of this country's health care system - not just the insurance issue. I worked for 38 years, paid my bills, volunteered countless hours to various causes, blah, blah, blah. I think I did everything "right" or "responsible" or the "Way they're supposed to be done."

And yet, at age 52, downsized in a job, divorced, etc. I could neither afford insurance and often, though not always, pay for my own medical treatment or prescriptions.

I see you're a bit older than me...so maybe in your state their is a senior citizen program that can assist you. I wish I could offer a concrete solution. Maybe share your plight with family members or a church, I just don't know.

But do know this- you are not alone in your struggle. And I doubt that anyone here on HT looks down on you for sharing it with us.

Geez...now I know I'm not the only one.

Am thinking of you.

[morrowsmowers]

If your employer is making that drastic of a change, are they going out of business? Sounds like either they are failing or just don't care about having employees. As others have said, now is the time for another job.

When my father first found out he had cancer, they gave him a list of prescriptions to get filled. The pharmacy told him it was over $400.00 and he told them to forget it, he could not afford to pay. They told him to wait a few minutes, put him on the phone with someone at one of the pharmaceutical companies, and he ended up getting his meds. for something like $40 -- unfortunately I have no idea what plan they gave him but these things do exist.

Sounds like you would do better to stop working, live off of unemployment, and get state sponsored insurance. Or, maybe you should post the name and address of this employer and let people protest their mishandling of their employees!

Ken in Glassboro, NJ

[sgl42]

lots of good suggestions on things to try.

one person suggested looking for a new job, which I agree might be a good idea. you might be able to find another employer that has medical coverage. if you had med insurance in the last 2-3 months, some/many places waive pre-existing condition limitations, so probably better to switch jobs sooner rather than later.

one last idea i haven't seen mentioned, you might be able to get your doc to up your prescription, so you can stock up a bit on insulin, before the coverage runs out.

our medical system is woefully broken. many don't realize it because they have coverage thru work, and haven't (yet) had any problems. People don't realize the problem until they switch jobs, or lose a job, have a pre-existing condition, or have to pay the real costs of the system themselves. it's an eye-opening experience.

sorry i don't have any more ideas or advice. best wishes...

--sgl

[Wendy]

our medical system is woefully broken. many don't realize it because they have coverage thru work, and haven't (yet) had any problems. People don't realize the problem until they switch jobs, or lose a job, have a pre-existing condition, or have to pay the real costs of the system themselves. it's an eye-opening experience.

Exactly! We always had coverage through my husband's employers until he lost his job. New job has coverage for him, but does not pay for any coverage on me or the kids & it was just way too much for us to afford. I put the kids ont he state coverage & I am currently uninsured. I hate it, but there is just no way we can afford coverage for me right now.

You may get a lot of people that tell you that should have been prepared, you are irresponsible for not having enough money to pay for health insurance, etc. PLEASE let it go in one ear & out the other. There are fewer & fewer employers offering health insurance. There are more & more people that will have to choose between eating or insurance. It is only going to get worse for a lot of people. The cost of everything is going up. It's easy for some people to say find another job. Depending on where you are, that isn't always an easy thing to do. And then to find one that has benefits will be a whole nother story.

Keep your chin up! Call your county department of family & children. They might have some ideas for you. Sending good thoughts & prayers your way!

[Scrounger]

We live on a fixed income, and can't afford insurance. I am lucky, I go to the VA, but my wife has zero coverage. I guess we have to pray she won't need a doctor. She goes to a dentist once a year, but saves the $75 or so it costs during the year.

[bonnie in indiana]

Thank you all for the support. Am still at wits end and now in the middle of a snow storm. I will read thru again and note the suggestions adn go from there. It is nice to have people you don't even know as your friends.

[suitcase_sally]

Originally Posted by Terri

It might be time to quietly job hunt, also.

My thought exactly.