Guest guest Posted February 27, 2001 Report Share Posted February 27, 2001 It's always been covered for me, but my coverage is through an employer... Insurance? Hi! We are full of questions since we are new with all of this. Leo and I were wondering if any of your insurance in the States covers your insulin. Leo and I don't have insurance in the States (yet) since we are always covered with his teams...but now we realize that we need it in case of emergency this summer. Any tips? We called one insurance company yesterday and they said that it would be an automatic decline because Leo is diabetic. Bummer...hopefully we can find a good one that will accept us. Thanks for the help. ~Kim (in Portugal) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2001 Report Share Posted February 28, 2001 States do vary when it comes to INDIVIDUAL insurance policies and waiting periods for pre-existing conditions. The best way to go is to be employed by a large firm that offers GROUP coverage. We have a small business and pay dearly for individual policies that don't offer all the benefits of larger groups. The companies that offer these policies have raised prices substantially while telling us it is for our own good. Example.....I had a $500 RX cap on my Blue Shield policy;this included all rx dm supplies. By March 2000, one sinus infection used up by rx benefits. This year, my insurance co raised by premium from $310/mo (my son is on this policy with me) to $401 with the added benefit of a $2000 RX cap, a $91/month increase ($1092/yr) to gain a potential $1500/yr in drug bennies. At the same time, the Drug Formulary was reduced and many drugs were dropped or the use was restricted. (Bob pays about $350/mo for his Blue Cross policy). In our state, if you have a pre-existing condition and are changing companies, the new company has to take you without a waiting period if there has not been a break in coverage. Carol T In a message dated 2/28/01 6:46:50 AM Pacific Standard Time, RainbowFarm@... writes: > >> We called one insurance company yesterday and they said that it would be > an automatic decline because Leo is diabetic. Bummer...hopefully we can > find a good one that will accept us. Thanks for the help.>> > > ***Kim, insurance varies from state to state, but I think it's a law in most > states that you can get some sort of coverage. There are also laws in a lot > of states that your insurance must pay for your diabetes supplies. check > with your home state. Here in Colorado, I can get coverage around the time > of my birthday, (basic or higher PPO) and they have to take me. I don't > know why, but this is standard, so when mine raises me too much each year, > I can change around the time of my birthday. I don't ask.why...I am > grateful. As a 57 year old diabetic, insurance companies aren't exactly > banging on my door for my business. > > Call an PPO or HMO agent in your home state. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2001 Report Share Posted February 28, 2001 >> We called one insurance company yesterday and they said that it would be an automatic decline because Leo is diabetic. Bummer...hopefully we can find a good one that will accept us. Thanks for the help.>> ***Kim, insurance varies from state to state, but I think it's a law in most states that you can get some sort of coverage. There are also laws in a lot of states that your insurance must pay for your diabetes supplies. check with your home state. Here in Colorado, I can get coverage around the time of my birthday, (basic or higher PPO) and they have to take me. I don't know why, but this is standard, so when mine raises me too much each year, I can change around the time of my birthday. I don't ask.why...I am grateful. As a 57 year old diabetic, insurance companies aren't exactly banging on my door for my business. Call an PPO or HMO agent in your home state. Barb -------- http://www.RainbowFarm.com http://www.RainbowFarm.com/photos.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2001 Report Share Posted February 28, 2001 , Thanks for your reply. If we can't get insurance, maybe we will have to investigate possible employer options through my parent's own business or something. ~Kim It's always been covered for me, but my coverage is through an employer... Hi! We are full of questions since we are new with all of this. Leo and I were wondering if any of your insurance in the States covers your insulin. Leo and I don't have insurance in the States (yet) since we are always covered with his teams...but now we realize that we need it in case of emergency this summer. Any tips? We called one insurance company yesterday and they said that it would be an automatic decline because Leo is diabetic. Bummer...hopefully we can find a good one that will accept us. Thanks for the help. ~Kim (in Portugal) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2001 Report Share Posted March 1, 2001 Barb, Thanks for the info on insurance. That is funny that it is easier to do around your bday. We looked up our state on the internet and the different laws...we think we understood them. I will call an agent in our state to see what he/she has to say and would advise. Thanks! ~Kim ***Kim, insurance varies from state to state, but I think it's a law in most states that you can get some sort of coverage. There are also laws in a lot of states that your insurance must pay for your diabetes supplies. check with your home state. Here in Colorado, I can get coverage around the time of my birthday, (basic or higher PPO) and they have to take me. I don't know why, but this is standard, so when mine raises me too much each year, I can change around the time of my birthday. I don't ask.why...I am grateful. As a 57 year old diabetic, insurance companies aren't exactly banging on my door for my business. Call an PPO or HMO agent in your home state. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2001 Report Share Posted March 1, 2001 Carol T, Thanks for explaining your insurance situation since we didn't have much of a clue when we started looking into it. You are right that it would be ideal to get insurance from a job, but we only go to the States for about 4 months each year and then return to some country overseas. I work in the summer, but not for anyone who could offer me/us insurance. So, we will have to resort to the expensive, individual plans. Too bad we didn't sign up last summer before Leo got diagnosed. That is crazy that you have to pay that much...ouch! Thanks for the warning. ~Kim States do vary when it comes to INDIVIDUAL insurance policies and waiting periods for pre-existing conditions. The best way to go is to be employed by a large firm that offers GROUP coverage. We have a small business and pay dearly for individual policies that don't offer all the benefits of larger groups. The companies that offer these policies have raised prices substantially while telling us it is for our own good. Example.....I had a $500 RX cap on my Blue Shield policy;this included all rx dm supplies. By March 2000, one sinus infection used up by rx benefits. This year, my insurance co raised by premium from $310/mo (my son is on this policy with me) to $401 with the added benefit of a $2000 RX cap, a $91/month increase ($1092/yr) to gain a potential $1500/yr in drug bennies. At the same time, the Drug Formulary was reduced and many drugs were dropped or the use was restricted. (Bob pays about $350/mo for his Blue Cross policy). In our state, if you have a pre-existing condition and are changing companies, the new company has to take you without a waiting period if there has not been a break in coverage. Carol T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2001 Report Share Posted March 1, 2001 Thanks ...will do! ~Kim Kim and Barb: Write to the State Insurance Commissioner in your home state for information regarding your situation. They will gladly tell you where you can get diabetes insurance coverage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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