insurance

[ej0820]

Hey guys.

I've been really worrying about how all this health insurance business works out. I don't know if I'm asking the right questions or if my situation is like anyone else's here but...I am currently on my mother's health insurance b/c I'm a fulltime student. That becomes void no matter what when I'm 23 and I've just changed my major...therefore, I'll still be a student trying to get a degree before I can get a fulltime job with health benefits and good pay on my own and all that mumbo jumbo. What do I do??? I'm almost 21, so I still have a little while to figure it out and explore some options if I have any...but has anyone been through this or have any suggestions?


erin
20/f/cf

 

[RoyalPrince]

you still have few years so you might want to start applying for social security disability to get a medical card... this process almost always takes a while so its best you get started right away... there are others on here that know the process better than i but at least start asking questions about it and think about it... i know a young person on disability is tough to think about but its definitely an option...
of course i'm assuming you are in the states...

 

[coltsfan715]

Hey there,

I actually just had to go through this. Fortunately my dad's insurance coverage allows me to stay covered until I am 25 if I am a student and indefinitely so long as I am a disabled dependent.
I am no longer a student but am not working so, I had to get a form filled out by my doctors office. We got the form from the insurance company. I had to fill out a portion that stated my name, age, disability status and income; then my docs had to fill out a portion stating whether I was physically or mentally disabled, whether or not I was capable of working and supporting myself, how often they saw me and the date of diagnosis and things like that. By my understanding so long as the form is filled out properly you are approved for continued coverage.

You may want to check with your mom's insurance company and see if they offer this kind of continued coverage.

Hope that was of some help.

Same works for Military insurance too. My dad is retired military and before I turned 23 I had to show that I am a disabled dependant on SSI/SSDI and receiving Medicare Part A and B, fill out some basic forms, show that my dad supports me with over half of my income and everything was approved. I am covered for 4 years then all the paper work has to be renewed and another 4 years of coverage and so on.

Lindsey

 

[miesl]

If all else fails, you should be able to continue your coverage through COBRA.

 

[julie]

Erin, many insurarnces now carry a separate clause about if your child has a disability (although you don't want to think of CF this way, it might benefit you in this situation) you can keep them on the insurance indefinitely. I would check with your parents insurance (or have them check) to see if they carry something like that.

 

[catboogie]

hey erin,

i went through this as well, but my mom's insurance covered me until i turned 25. it was scary for me to think about the unknown after i was no longer covered. so i think it is good you are starting the information gathering early.

fortunately, my state (north carolina) has a program just for adults with CF. anyone can get on it as long as your income is below poverty level. several states have similar programs, although all the requirements are different. if you are a student, then you shouldn't have a problem having low income. things like financial aid do not count as income because it is not "earned" money; similarly, money from parents is not counted either. like i said, it may be different in your state, or is they do not have an adult CF program then you may have to consider other forms of state assistance.

good luck!

laura, 27