Health care insurance for pe-existing condition?

Question

I lost my job and going to lose my health insurace half year later. Currently still under cobra. We are paying $1200 a month for cobra health plan now. I have pre-exisiting condition (heptitis B), I quote BCBS in my state (NC) and my rate was $1600 a month just for myself! We want to have another baby as soon as we can before the cobra run out but seems not enough time left. Is there any maternity plan that wont check pre-exisiting condition? My husband is self-employee so we couldnt get employer sponsored plan.

Answer 1

Many people are unaware that they are entited to continue their insurance, regardless of medical condition, once their COBRA runs out.  

Even in the worst case, you should be able to buy a HIPAA plan at the end of COBRA. They are expensive, but probably not much more than you are paying now, for a plan with a higher deductible than your current COBRA benefits. You have 63 days to elect coverage.  

Contact the folks below to get more info on your rights.  Ask for the superviser. His name is Ernie.  He also knows about state plans that might cost a lot less, if you qualify. These folks are an non-profit, and have nothing to sell you.  

www.coverageforall.org

Answer 2

It's not going to happen.  That's akin to trying to buy car insurance to cover an accident after the accident has occurred.  You need to wait for a pregnancy UNTIL you have other coverage in place for a period of time which is LONGER than the policy states for exclusions.

Answer 3

Whatever you do, don't let your insurance run out.  If you continue on Cobra when you get a new job with insurance they will have to take you because you're still on Cobra. If you let your insurance lapse then they have the right not to accept you because of a pre-existing condition.

And please, don't have a baby just because insurance will cover it; have one because you want a baby that you can love and cherish and raise into a productive individual.

I wish you well.

Answer 4

Call your state's insurance commissioner's office and ask whether there is a "High Risk Pool" you can join.  Some states require that you apply for coverage and be turned down or issued an exclusionary endorsement first before you can apply -- but the commissioner's office will be able to tell you.

If there's no high risk pool in your state, ask the commissioner's office what your options are.  Each state has a different way of dealing with this issue.

And while you're on the phone with them, ask whether your husband is eligible for "sole proprietor" group insurance.  Some states require by law that sole proprietors be able to purchase group insurance; others permit sole proprietors access to the state's high risk pool.  Again, your options will vary according to state law.

Answer 5

You'll want to visit a local independent agent that works with all the major companies in your area. The agent can talk with the underwriters to see if any companies will accept you. In my area there are several companies that will consider you with hepatitis B but it depends upon the severity, treatment, prognosis and how long you've had it.

Maternity is expensive with individual plans. You'll pay less out of pocket in most cases if you don't have maternity benefits. Complications of pregnancy are always covered even if you don't have maternity benefits.

Stay away from the maternity discount cards. Don't be swayed by their claims of "save up to 80%" because there are very few doctors that will accept the card and those that do don't give you enough savings to pay for the card in real life.