Monday, May 10, 2010

Of all the things I have time to deal with....

I had a great blog post planned about my great weekend celebrating my brother’s graduation from college this past weekend, but I’m a little distracted. I just received the following e-mail from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois:
"Based on the information provided during your phone interview, we are unable to extend an offer of coverage.  A detailed explanation of this decision will be sent to you shortly."

So I am 25 years old, have no job, student loan debt, 200 dollars in the bank, and no health insurance.

Fuck.
My.
Life.

24 comments:

  1. That happened to me once. I applied to BC/BS because I was too old to be on my parentals but was still in grad school. When they sent my letter stating the conditions why I was being rejected, it was incorrect. Someone had coded that I had endometriosis which is incorrect. I've never had that. So, maybe, it's just a paperwork glitch. Hope it all works out!

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  2. BC/BS suck at life. seriously. try united healthcare. they are much nicer.

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  3. I feel ya. I got a letter like that on Tuesday last week and called my dad right away. I'm hoping there is something incorrect in the 'report'.

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  4. that's not good news....good luck on finding something else!!!

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  5. can't you just call obama? wasn't he supposed to fix everything?

    :-)

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  6. I have BCBS and I had to sign something saying any previous health problems will not be covered under my new plan. Lame!

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  7. That happened to me when I graduated college. Aetna was all "Happy Graduation! Now get the fuck off of our HMO!" on my graduation day.

    For what it is worth, I would suck it up and get the COBRA coverage or a catastrophic plan. I had 4 or 5 months where I was uninsured (before I was eligible for my plan at work to go into effect), and it turns out that preexisting conditions are not covered if you are uninsured for more than 62 or 63 days (if you have one) (at least in Texas, not sure how it is in IL). If you don't have a p.c., just get the catastrophic insurance for now. I didn't because I was worried I would be denied because of my p.c., and one denial is like a red flag for future insurance companies to deny me, too. But considering that will only be the rule for a few months, that's the route I would go!

    Anyway. I REALLY regret not getting even a shitty policy. Good luck :/

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  8. I am not eligible for Cobra. I was trying to get catastrophic/bare minimum policy and that's what Blue Cross denied me.

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  9. Denied at 25. That's so...insane.
    Wait and see what the reason is - and then (if it's not too personal) we can all help you trouble shoot.
    Capitalism and health insurance shouldn't go together

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  10. Hmmmmm....Let's hope things get better soon!

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  11. Okay. I have no advice on the insurance, other than just to try another company.

    As far as no job: no sweat. Most people don't have jobs. You'll find something. Just be diligent.

    Student loan debt doesn't count if you're not employed; they won't make you pay. You can defer for up to a year too.

    Money in the bank: I know what it feels like; you'll find a way to pay for things. I'm sure of it. Bar loan?

    Just remember, things get better because they have to.

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  12. As someone who also has things that I need to covered for, I completely feel your stress. I wish I could tell you that it will all work out okay, but I don't know that and I try to not lie to strangers:)

    I would (like everyone else who commented) suggest trying other companies - BC/BS is a notorious son of a bitch, and another company might not suck at life so much.

    Also, I have a friend who works at Starbucks while we are in school, specifically so that she has health benefits. I know you have to take the bar this summer, but it might be worth it to find somewhere like that with flexible hours, and work the minimum so that you are covered. Because the other place where companies get you is if you don't have continuous coverage, they won't cover pre-existing conditions. Just so they can be even douchier.

    Hang in there!

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  13. Checkout the Illinois Department of Healthcare - individual states tend to have state run health care programs in addition to Medicare/Medicade that are for low-income individuals. Throughout law school, I have had quite a few friends who were on the New York low-income plan. And while it isnt glamorous, and they get to limit the doctors you can see, it is still far better than nothing.

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  14. Well you know that as SOON as you get on the insurance you will have like 25 babies. At least, that is what I'm guessing they are thinking. Ha. Ha.

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  15. Try Aflac catastrophic insurance... that's all I have right now (since BCBS Federal sucks at life, too, and cut me off and I'm still an undergrad).

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  16. And befriend someone who works at a dr's office and can get you Rx samples... my friends abuse the fact that I work at an OB/GYN part-time and get tons of free bc samples.

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  17. Pretty sure FML was meant for the exact say you used it.

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  18. I was a Starbucks insurance whore in college. It sucks going that route, but if you have no other options, it's great coverage and generally an innocuous place to work. The other go-to for this is Target.

    Try Anthem. I know someone else said that, but they accepted me for more coverage than I thought I'd get (diabetic, 22, undergrad budget). There are also a bunch of really sketchy "student insurance" places that will accept you even though you've finished. I wouldn't go so far as to endorse them, but my fiance uses one and.... well, his prescriptions and ER trip have all magically been paid for.

    good luck and good health!

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  19. wow that is just unfair. I have to say that I have BS of Mass and its great, and I had United before in NY and absolutely hated it. Not to be an Obama-care troll, but it seems like the Mass universal healthcare law and state insurance exchange have whipped BS into affordable, pleasant shape over here..... Hope they reconsider or another company covers you. I think in 6 months under Obamacare you can sign onto your parent's coverage as a dependent again up until you are like 28 or something....

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  20. Have you asked your college if they offer insurance for their alums? My school offered group health insurance (BS/BC) to all recent grads - no denials. The rates are good (83/mo) and I plan to keep it for years. My family went w/o health insurance for a decade while my parents built their own business. I know firsthand how much $$$ it cost to not have insurance (not to mention the denial of treatment from our local hospital:( due to lack of insurance)

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  21. Ugh... Try your State Bar if you are a member. Good luck...maybe it is just a little glitch and you can get it worked out! Hugs girl!

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  22. Your situation is exactly why we needed the healthcare bill. Hope you get your coverage soon.

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  23. Someone who survived law schoolMay 12, 2010 at 1:37 PM

    Under the new health reform regs which become effective July 12, you should be eligible to reenroll in your parents plan (if it covers dependents) and have coverage until you turn 26.

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  24. Go talk to an independent insurance agent and ask them for quotes...there are temporary medical insurance policies out there. I got a short-term policy for my daughter that was fairly inexpensive and good for at least a year. The limits may not be as good as some but it's better than having nothing.

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