Health insurance. Do you have it?

Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
It's not all peaches and cream up there when it comes to healthcare. I don't think there's a perfect solution, but something has to be done and soon.
Do you live up there? Everyone I know from Canada loves their Health Care System. Same with people in England. Most say they have never had to wait for much of anything.

I've been waiting nearly 10 years for my insurance to OK a Botox treatment, and I have insurance, so it can't be that bad in Canada.
10/12/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by chicken12
I no longer have any type of insurance. I was dropped when I turned 21. The biggest problem is that I have ADHD (ADD) and adderall costs over 200 dollars a month - but it's something that really helps me. I'm a college student in my fourth ... more
If you live in the US and still live with your parents (living in the dorms and being home with parents during holidays and summer counts as living with parents) your parents' insurance has to cover you until you are 26 years old!
10/12/2011
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
Do you live up there? Everyone I know from Canada loves their Health Care System. Same with people in England. Most say they have never had to wait for much of anything.

I've been waiting nearly 10 years for my insurance to OK a Botox ... more
No, I don't live in Canada. I can't speak for everyone there, nor would I even attempt to do so. However, in every system there are flaws. I know one woman who can barely walk and has no one to take care of her who is forced to figure out a way to be evaluated in office every thirty days by a caseworker just to get her approval for scripts for that month. And nevermind her trying to get in to see a therapist about her emotional issues, she's been waiting for months for that approval. Or my friend in England who needs therapy and can't get in to see a therapist to save his life.

There are problems in every system. People will always fall through the cracks, no matter how good it looks from the outside.
10/12/2011
Contributor: null null
I have insurance through my parents, but don't go to the doctor's nearly as often as I should. I just don't like bringing it up to them because they get all nosey.
10/12/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
No, I don't live in Canada. I can't speak for everyone there, nor would I even attempt to do so. However, in every system there are flaws. I know one woman who can barely walk and has no one to take care of her who is forced to figure out a ... more
Of course there are problems with every system... humans invent them.

I have to see my doctor every 12 weeks or I don't get my prescriptions, either. I won't survive without them. I am sometimes immobile and can't drive, due to the pain, but when I have an appointment (which can take up to four months to get, so I have to schedule the second one often before I've gone to the one before it) I HAVE to go, no matter what. It's no different here for people with health issues. (And they do have cabs in Canada, I am guessing....)

My husband has never taken a day off of work to get me to a doctor appointment, mainly because I do take it on myself to get myself there. So, it isn't any different here. If you are on certain meds, you have to see the doctor on a regular schedule, and if he's scheduling 4 months in advance, you HAVE TO go when you have an appointment. That isn't particular to the Canadian health care system. I know people who have to go on a set day every month, right here in the US. What I'm saying is, it ISN'T a Canadian rule only, it applies to us in the US, too.

I will admit something, I often take antibiotics made to be put into fish tanks, because they are cheaper than the co-pay to see my GYNE and then the Copay to buy the antibiotics for a UTI. Not to mention I get sometimes put off for 10 days when I have a bleeding UTI, most likely because I HAVE crappy insurance and the nurse refuses to give my Dr. the message to just prescribe an antibiotic over the phone. I LIVE in the USA, have health care, and am still having to practice 3rd World Medicine at times.... I'm certainly not alone, I just know what meds work for UTIs and was able to find them for fish in the same form. Crappy, huh? (Cue up the Star Spangled Banner....)

Ten years, ten years to maybe (I'm not approved yet) to be approved to even try a medication that MIGHT help my migraines, and has been available to the Rich for years. It's NO different here. Worse, because so many are simply NOT covered at all. The Canadian system is a leveler. The US system puts out the working middle class.
10/12/2011
Contributor: Diabolical Kitty Diabolical Kitty
I have Fibromyalgia and a few other issues and I also have medicaid. I wouldn't be able to function otherwise.
10/12/2011
Contributor: js250 js250
I have had no health care for about 6 years. I have serious medical conditions that are going untreated right now due to cost. Hopefully this will change soon!
10/12/2011
Contributor: GravyCakes GravyCakes
i'm still on my parents insurance since i'm still in school
10/12/2011
Contributor: SilverIsis SilverIsis
I'm, on private insurance but it is administered by the state. I qualified for it because my COBRA ran out, but given my health conditions I probably would have qualified for it anyways. It's a great plan except the payment for the low deductible I need is a bit ridiculous. I have no idea how I will pay the next quarterly installment.
10/12/2011
Contributor: chicken12 chicken12
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
If you live in the US and still live with your parents (living in the dorms and being home with parents during holidays and summer counts as living with parents) your parents' insurance has to cover you until you are 26 years old!
Unfortunately, my parents don't have insurance that covers medication - just doctor visits and emergencies.

I'm trying to get on some insurance realted to workers with disabilities, but it's taking forever.

Being an adult sure isn't all it's cracked up to be.
10/12/2011
Contributor: GenderSexplorations GenderSexplorations
Very thankful to have insurance. Being piss-poor does have its advantages when it comes to being able to get government-supplemente d health insurance.
10/12/2011
Contributor: FaerieLove FaerieLove
I have health insurance 80% and 750 of dental. Not bad considering its through a student plan
10/12/2011
Contributor: MrWishyWashy MrWishyWashy
I have health insurance luckily.
10/12/2011
Contributor: ThoughtsAblaze ThoughtsAblaze
I was knocked off my parents' insurance when I finished college. I got a temp job with no benefits, and in my search for insurance, I was denied by multiple companies due to my pre-existing condition: epilepsy. The kicker? I hadn't had a seizure in over 10 years, had been off medication for years, had long been released by my neurologist, etc. Still, I couldn't get coverage and I couldn't get COBRA (there was some minor clause somewhere in there that kept me from it--can't remember exactly what). My parents eventually called a friend of a friend from their little hometown, and his company found me a policy with a private company that costs me an arm and leg and covered next to nothing. I argued with my folks that since my epilepsy was presumably over and I had a stellar immune system, I didn't need the junk, but they kept giving me the worst-case scenario reasoning.

I got hired full-time to my job a year ago and now how health insurance coverage. It was great timing, as shortly thereafter, I began having medical issues one after the other. I've spent more time at doctor offices in the last year than I have in, literally, the last eight years of my life.
10/12/2011
Contributor: kellyg kellyg
I had AMAZING insurance until I was fired from my job back in January. I then got on state insurance for AZ, and was approved for it..wasn't great but it was something, THEN got kicked off of it in May because I won my unemployment case (since I was wrongfully let go)..

I make $52.00 over the limit for state insurance. It's frustrating.
10/13/2011
Contributor: Shellz31 Shellz31
I don't have any kind of medical insurance, but luckily I don't need it here in AU.
10/13/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by chicken12
Unfortunately, my parents don't have insurance that covers medication - just doctor visits and emergencies.

I'm trying to get on some insurance realted to workers with disabilities, but it's taking forever.

Being an adult ... more
I'm sorry. It seems like even many with insurance are so woefully under covered. We technically "have" insurance, but we are paying more for medical care, with the co-pays and monthly payments than we would have if we had had NO insurance the first 10 years of our marriage.

I hope something comes along for you. Some stores have deals on meds, but most of them are drugs that are already very inexpensive.
10/13/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Shellz31
I don't have any kind of medical insurance, but luckily I don't need it here in AU.
Everybody in AU is covered by the goverment, right?

I really wish we had that here. "Private" insurance" under insurance for many, NO insurance for too many and continually changing requirements for state assisted programs in the US simply SUCK!

No one should have to choose between food and medicine, but people here do it every day. (My oldest daughter does. She has chosen food!) I think the if the fucking millionaires would be forced to pay their fair share of taxes, and THEN some, we could easily get everyone covered. Let the wealthy pay for their own if they don't like it.
10/13/2011
Contributor: Ciao. Ciao.
I have health/dental/vision through my employer that covers both my spouse and I and is actually pretty reasonable and does a good job of covering things. That said deductibles and all that still make things a little pricey and I generally avoid going to the doctor unless I really need to or it is an annual checkup that's completely covered by insurance.
10/13/2011
Contributor: big b big b
get it at work
10/13/2011
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
Unemployed for two years (and I never worked at a place that offered any benefits to begin with), and HAVE BEEN job-hunting all that time (and can't even get hired for minimum wage for part-time; Forbes magazine declared my county to be the worst area in the national for getting a job). The only reason I'm in school right now is because of vocational rehab.

Medical? Feh. Vision? Double feh. Dental? Feh thrice. Insurance is for those who have those mythical full-time jobs with benefits that offer it. Florida is the worst state in the country for private insurance. The only reason I'm able to get a tubal at all is because I'm doing it through public health (you know, one of the places the Republicans want to shut down because they don't use it so they feel it's not necessary to fund it).

I still need a chest X-ray done for this upper respiratory infection I'm still getting over, but I can't get it through anything - it has to be out-of-pocket.

Yeah, sure, third world countries have it worse - BUT I DON'T LIVE IN A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY.
10/13/2011
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by Dawn (Lilac Distraction)
These days, a lot of people are without jobs or suitable insurance. Because of this, a lot of people are going without the health care that they need. Where do you fit in?
Wow, this topic is a hot one. Good question!!!
10/13/2011
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
That $24 a month you paid is now $100-900 a month depending on the company you choose. So, that choice of sandwich with bologna or a mustard sandwich without protein is a fallacy. It's more like do without car insurance, two weeks worth of ... more
No question it has become scary more expensive. I understand that. I was just pointing out that, realistically, don't think "young and healthy" means "don't need insurance". Fact is, we would have been destroyed, financially, without it. It is ashamed that it has become SO expensive. No doubt about it.
10/13/2011
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by chicken12
I no longer have any type of insurance. I was dropped when I turned 21. The biggest problem is that I have ADHD (ADD) and adderall costs over 200 dollars a month - but it's something that really helps me. I'm a college student in my fourth ... more
Does your college have a health plan? SOMETIMES they also have discount prescriptions. Worth asking. Even calling the pharmaceutical company..strange as that may seem, may get you an "assistance" card, to help bring that cost WAY, WAY down. Good luck. Our daughter is succeeding wildly in school,but is also dependent on her medication (which we didn't believe in for years) to function anywhere near the top of her game...and SHE is the first to tell you. BEST WISHES ON YOUR SCHOOLING.
10/13/2011
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama
Wow - you guys make me feel grateful.

Hubby was in the US Air Force for over 20 years - our healthcare upon retirement was originally supposed to be free when he enlisted -but now its like $400 per year (I don't have the exact ... more
Count your blessings, but a career in the military, you earned it. Ashamed that same type system is not made available to all.
10/13/2011
Contributor: M121212 M121212
I live in Canada so it's not too bad having no health insurance. When I'm going to school I get quite a good student health-dental-vision plan. Maybe I'll go back to school next term so that I can do that again.
10/13/2011
Contributor: chicken12 chicken12
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
Does your college have a health plan? SOMETIMES they also have discount prescriptions. Worth asking. Even calling the pharmaceutical company..strange as that may seem, may get you an "assistance" card, to help bring that cost WAY, WAY down. ... more
The school's health insurance only covers emergency hospital visits. Nobody's heard of preventative healthcare, apparently.

I really don't like medications that much because I don't want to become dependent or build up a tolerance to things (i.e., antibotics or painkillers unless I reeeaaally need them). But certain things, like adderall, I really do benefit from. I have several three-hour classes and I tend to mentally "checkout" halfway through.


I haven't considered calling the pharmaceutical company, but that's a really good idea.
10/13/2011
Contributor: Kkay Kkay
I recently got health insurance, but unexpected expenses mean waiting until next month to get the ball rolling.
10/13/2011
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
Count your blessings, but a career in the military, you earned it. Ashamed that same type system is not made available to all.
The only true healthcare benefits left are enjoyed by government and former government employees. The tax payers foot the bill for benefits that far exceed anything they could ever hope to get.

It's no accident that Congress has exempted themselves from both Social Security and Medicare - not good enough for those that are so keen to force inferior care on us.
10/13/2011
Contributor: married with children married with children
when I lost my job, I put the wife to work. Just so we could keep insurance for the kids. You never know when one of your kids will need to see a doctor.
10/14/2011