Hi all,
well so I sent an e mail to one of the Immigrant Insurance Companys someone was talking about here on VJ and was told that pre existing conditions are NOT covered.
My 6 year old has ADHD and I have Allergic Asthma and Polycystic Ovarian Disease..........
We are trying to find some kind of Insurance for us but it seems I can't find any company that accepts pre existing conditions!
My Fiances Imsurance Company also states in their Info Package that Pre existing conditions wont be covered......so I guess my son and I also cant get Insurance under his plan once we are married.......
The thing is ,my son NEEDS treatment,not actually TREATMENT but his medication and I unfortunatley have some allergies that trigger the Asthma........
I heared that there is a certain law in the State of Washington that says an Insurance Company HAS to insure you even WITH pre ex conditions.
Anyone who has any info on that?
My ASthma is NOT severe,it's just Allergis Asthma.I don't actually need a lot of meds or have attacks .I just need that covered IN CASE I have an allergic reaction (like I just did at my sister in laws ,soon to be anyway, house because they have massive amounts of mold in the house and I'm super allergic to mold.Actually had to sleep in the camper cause I couldn't stay IN the house for more than 10 minutes without having real trouble breathing)The Ovarian thing is not a biggie either I just have to be on the pill.So there really isn't a massive cost for the Insurance Company to be expected.
ANy helpful input??
Thanks
Nat

Do you have any type of insurance coverage now? I too have a pre-existing condition and when I provided proof to our health insurer that I had coverage right up to when I applied for this coverage, they waived the pre-existing condition clause. It is worth a try.

The other option is to stock up on the medication you need before you move to the US so you have it available until you marry and are covered by your spouse's policy. It may be that you will need to pay cash if you have to see a doctor or go to a clinic for treatment until you receive coverage. Good luck.

When you get insurance they have to cover pre-existing conditions... but they put a six or twelve month waiting period on the coverage depending on the company. If you're just using common or garden ventolin/albuterol for the asthma you can buy that OTC. As for the other conditions, I'd get my docs to prescribe as much as practical and bring it with me. In fact, that's what I did - I refilled my ventolin prescription just before I left Australia so that I wouldn't have any need to buy it again until I had insurance. Just remember to bring the medications sealed in their original packaging and pack the prescriptions with them so that the customs people know they're for personal use.

Ya but the problem is that Ritalin is a controlled substence and you can't bring a lot of it to the US.Also I want to switch my sons meds to Adderal because he has too many side effects from the Ritalin.
So what exactly is the deal with pre existing conditions?
Nat

1. You can get birth control at Planned Parenthood for close to the same price as with insurance.
2. Check with local mental health organizations and see if they can help you with the Ritalin/Adderall situation.

Other than that, insurance company has every right to deny treatement on pre-existing conditions for a certain amount of time - my father was uncovered for the first year at his job, and my mom had to add him to her insurance so that he didn't have a lapse in coverage. He has Crohn's disease that's pretty serious and has many medications and has had to be hospitalized - so they have to pay three times as much so he's covered under her. It's how insurance works in this country...

http://www.insurance.wa.gov/consumers/heal...surance_FAQ.pdf

Pre existing conditions clauses still apply in WA state. It's for things you have received treatment, medication, etc for (which you have) in the six months prior to enrollment. WA state shortened the waiting period/period prior to enrollment to 3 months for employers w/ more than 50 employees.

Question - do you think they would even consider PCOS a pre-existing condition? I have them as well and I take the pill, but it's no biggie and my Dr reminds me all the time - there's nothing he can do

Since it's a marriage event that will get you on your husband's plan...usually you don't get asked for medicals, but I'm sure
you've double checked that one

I like the post above suggesting some links...looks promising

Adderall is also, a perscription amphetamine,w/ side affects as most ADD meds. Adderall is suspected of causing diabetes. With me, it caused insomnia and severe visual disturbances. It is also expensive. john & jean

We have to pay for my son's ADHD medication. Costs us $125 a month. But it helps him concentrate in school and stops me hitting the vodka bottle too.



Believe me, it's worth it.

My husband was laid off about 4 mon ths ago and with it went out health insurance. SO we signed up with my work's insurance plan. recently he had to use it for treatment and the insurance company said they would not pay for a pre-existing condition (Which it wasn't) but that it we could provide proof of previous insurance which continued up to the date of signing with my insurance it would not be considered and they would pay for the treatment.

When you go to see the doctor, just ask him for a birth control pill prescription. You don't need to explain why you need it, I suppose. And the insurance will have to cover it.

Another option is to bring like a year supply (12 packs) from home and use them.

I do have Insurance here in Germany.........
My Fiance's Company's Plan also says No pre ex conditions.....
And the thing with the pill,yeah I will bring a year's supply to the US with me,but I need a special pill (Diane 35) for the Ovarian Disease,so no just getting SOME pill aint gonna do me no good.
Though after having been at the docs yesterday ,I might not really need any pill for very much longer since he suggested taking my uterus out............At this point in time a big no no since James and I want at least one more child.
Adderal or Ritalin,I have no clue..........right now nothing seems to work..........my son drives me crazy and just tonight has covered a good portion of his bedroom floor and the door with glue.........
I have no earthly idea how many times I have remodeled his room in the passed three years,it always looks horrible again after just a few weeks.............

It is also my understanding that pre-existing conditions must be covered if a person does not have a break in insurance coverage prior to the event that makes one eligible for the new plan. Your husband's HR people "should" be able to provide guidance -- otherwise perhaps a labor lawyer can.

One more note -- we finessed any pre-existing condition issue for my wife by starting her coverage under my plan back in March. There is a nominal 6 month period exclusion period for my plan, too. But the exclusion period timed out at the beginning of the month and she won't enter until November. If you have some time prior to entry, perhaps you husband can arrange to start coverage for you and your son early, before you arrive. Your timeline suggests that this could be an option.

I wouldn't bother with HR - they have a nasty habit of providing the wrong information. I'd call the ins. company directly.

Read post #2 again, slowly & carefully...

"Do you have any type of insurance coverage now? I too have a pre-existing condition and when I provided proof to our health insurer that I had coverage right up to when I applied for this coverage, they waived the pre-existing condition clause. It is worth a try."