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Can you get supplemental insurance with Epilepsy?

Thu, 03/18/2010 - 23:18
Hello! I am just out of University, off of my parents health care, and going on to new health care at my future employers. While on my current healthcare, I just pay a standard copay, United (my future insurance company) is saying that I'm going to have to pay 20% of every visit. You guys. I have a lot of seizures. Grand Mal, tonic clonic, on the floor, pee your pants, bite your tongue seizures, trying not to break your collarbone. Again. I'm also young, stupid, and very very broke. They are paying me $22,200 a year, but I don't know how I'm going to make this work. Can I get supplemental insurance? Something that will take some heat off of that 20%? Every time I look around on the internet for information supplemental insurance, all they can talk about is old people. I'm in process of applying for disability... Will that help? Can I apply for medicare? Are there any supplemental insurance companies out there that will take on a chick with epilepsy? I'm having so much trouble, I'm about to pull out my hair. Any help that anyone can afford me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!!! Randi

Comments

Re: Can you get supplemental insurance with Epilepsy?

Submitted by mkfarnam SB Cal on Sun, 2010-03-21 - 11:51
You should be elgible for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) You'll need to go to the Social Security office. They could probably help with other problems too.

Re: Can you get supplemental insurance with Epilepsy?

Submitted by Chrissyml on Sun, 2010-03-21 - 17:23

Do you want to apply for disability? Really?

I don't know what disability is like there, but here you have to prove you're totally incapable of working. I've never qualified for so much as a bus pass here. Society doesn't view epilepsy as being a chronic disorder; people assume you take medication therefore, you're fine.

How much would a copay of 20% be? Is there anywhere you could cut back in your budget to make up the copayment?

IMO it would be a waste to graduate from college only to file for disability. It sounds like you've  worked  hard to get a education, land a job, and build your life.

Do you want to apply for disability? Really?

I don't know what disability is like there, but here you have to prove you're totally incapable of working. I've never qualified for so much as a bus pass here. Society doesn't view epilepsy as being a chronic disorder; people assume you take medication therefore, you're fine.

How much would a copay of 20% be? Is there anywhere you could cut back in your budget to make up the copayment?

IMO it would be a waste to graduate from college only to file for disability. It sounds like you've  worked  hard to get a education, land a job, and build your life.

Re: Can you get supplemental insurance with Epilepsy?

Submitted by Jodie Powell on Sun, 2010-04-25 - 23:03
If I were you, I would start by seeing if your county has any state sponsered health insurance programs.  The county may have certain income requirements that you would need to meet since these programs  are meant for certain income levels that have severe medical conditions (which I think you can qualify for), however, each county has different rules as to who they'll enroll and sometimes the enrollment period is only once a year.  Try to call your local department of Human Resources and they can give you some information.  Hang in there and Best of Luck, I know how frustratating it is! 

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