Nurses working without health insurance

Mudder · Jan 24, 2011

One of the new healthcare laws that went into effect this month, was to allow children under the age of 26 to be on their parents insurance policies- not sure what your premiums would be where you work, but it could be an option.

Thanks for the info but I tried that route. My premiums would go up 5 1/2%, no exeragtion! and my deductable would jump from 1000 to 3500/yr. The insurance rep also told me with a history of a brain tumor, the insurance comp. would likely try everything in their power not to cover that as a "pre-exsisting" condition and would dig everywhere till they came up with something........this from the companies own rep. He also told me that the comp would probably deny most/all of the claims and I'd have to "fight" to get everyone of them paid.

This is sooooo wrong in America......just as the other poster stated about her husband.....why should a citizen that's put into our "system" not be helped when they fall on hard times. And yes, I understand about going to the ER with a "cold" because you don't have a PCP.......that's why our health"care" cost so much.

We need to take health"care" back from the insurance companies and take care of our own!!!! errrrrrrrrrrrrr, thanks for the vent :)

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2011

I am even more stunned and disgusted by the USA health insurance system everytime I read another post! Move to Australia is all I can say!
(isn't America supposed to be the land of the free????!)

Only for those who can pay for it!!!!!!! :cool:

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2011

I don't understand the number of people saying they are not being covered for pre-existing conditions. So long as you've been continuously insured (which they define as less than a 60 day lapse in coverage) you cannot be turned down for a pre-existing condition for more than 12 months of your new policy. And they can only look back 6 months for pre-existing conditions; if you haven't been treated for it in 6 months it's not a "pre-existing condition." It's the primary purpose of HIPAA, despite all the yakking we do about the other side of HIPAA (patient privacy). Sounds like some of you need to start filing appeals or lawyer up!

In my previous post I stated that....... after the hospital I worked at for 15 years (with rave reviews and bonuses) dumped me :devil: due to the sudden appearence of "performance " issues (illness), and COBRA was gone,while waiting for open enrollment at my husbands work combined that with no one hires a nurse that needs "accomodations" (although any hospital would cut their tounges out rather than admit they are a bunch of lying dogs) trust me your insurance does lapse longer than 60 days.........and BINGO you are now denied coverage because you have a pre-existing condition.

With a "pre-existing" condition "they can only look back for 6 months" Really? just 6 months? What a relief! :cool:

The reality is......if you have a pre-existing condition that they won't cover....... chances are you are recieving treatment on a daily basis with meds. Most MD's where I am from require you to see them at least once evey three months to get scripts refilled! (treatment) I happen to be on meds that require at the VERY least monthly moniotring.(treatment) Physical therapy a couple days a week off and on (treatment).

Yeah.....I have been treated within the last 6 months for this condition :rolleyes: .....it all sounds really good on paper until you see all the perforations that run along the side when you rip the paper out of the book. I used to believe all that stuff too............until I became a part of it all and it became a reality for me.......:twocents:

ps. I know I sound pitiful and I really don't feel pitiful.......just sharing my new POV :)

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2011

Or that you're going to pay more as you get older??? All members of the same employer health plan pay the same premium (save smokers vs. non-smokers). The premium for all employees may increase (as we have undoubtedly all experienced) but it's not going to increase for one person just because they're older.
I think some people need to bring themselves up to speed in health care law. Even if someone has worked at the same place for 20 years, I would have at least thought they'd still know a little bit about the enactment of HIPAA in 1996.

WOW......but for the grace of God go I............remember you are aging too and hopefully will someday be old too.

cecilsgirl · Jan 24, 2011

I'm lucky -my Employer pays 100 percent of my insurance, and it is awesome. this may change someday, but for now I am loving it!

Up2nogood RN, RN · Jan 24, 2011

Mine pays 100% for me and family with personal yearly deductible of $350 and total family deductible of $1200. Dr visits are $10, and 20% responsibility of labs, specialist's charges (anesthesia, surgeon,etc) but inpatient stay is covered 100%. RN's also get one free CBC each year.

Each time our contract is up for renewal management threatens to increase our insurance rates/deductibles and our union works hard to keep it from happening.

It's very disheartening to hear all these personal stories of such poor insurance to those who are the primary caregivers!

redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN · Jan 24, 2011

In my previous post I stated that....... after the hospital I worked at for 15 years (with rave reviews and bonuses) dumped me due to the sudden appearence of "performance " issues, and COBRA was gone,while waiting for open enrollment at my husbands work combined that with no one hires a nurse that needs "accomodations" (although any hospital would cut their tounges out rather than admit they are a bunch of lying dogs) trust me your insurance does lapse longer than 60 days.........and BINGO you are now denied coverage because you have a pre-existing condition.
With a "pre-existing" condition "they can only look back for 6 months" Really? just 6 months? What a relief!
The reality is......if you have a pre-existing condition that they won't cover....... chances are you are recieving treatment on a daily basis with meds. Most MD's where I am from require you to see them at least once evey three months to get scripts refilled! (treatment) I happen to be on meds that require at the VERY least monthly moniotring.(treatment) Physical therapy a couple days a week off and on (treatment).
Yeah.....I have been treated within the last 6 months for this condition .....it all sounds really good on paper until you see all the perforations that run along the side when you rip the paper out of the book. I used to believe all that stuff too............until I became a part of it all and it became a reality for me.......:twocents:
ps. I know I sound pitiful and I really don't feel pitiful.......just sharing my new POV :)

Well I wasn't specifically referring to you, and I understand what you're saying...but they can only deny pre-existing conditions for the first 12 months of coverage. And within a few years they won't even be able to do that (as long as idiots don't come along and repeal the health care reform bill in its entirety because it's "too long to read.")

I had a chronic pain condition for five years. All of the mumbo jumbo does su*ck!

Psychtrish39, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2011

That is what is odd. My very first RN job out of school at a small two hospital system in Missouri offered me first day benefits for me and my children. I didnt make the highest wages but for a new nurse and newly divorced single mom it was wonderful. This was in 2003 not really that long ago. I wonder if they still offer first day benefits for full time employees at the time they offered some to part time and on call as well. I think its just management and corporations saving a dollar on the backs of employees. Its done all the time but it is a bit embarrassing to tell people I work the equavalent of full time and have no benefits but I am looking for full time with benefits all the time. Most places at a minimum you have to wait 90 days and no pre existing conditions and expensive if you are not in the best of health.

redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN · Jan 24, 2011

Thank you redheadnurse! I was just scrolling through the thread to see if someone had posted this rebuttal. I wish people wouldn't post what they don't understand.

I often wonder if people don't self-impose their "pre-existing conditions." As in don't get treatment because they think they have a pre-existing condition when they don't. That is sad if it is the case.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 24, 2011

I've been self-employed for many years in my past and have bought health insurance on the individual market. I have also processed claims for a doctor's office. I've worked with people in Washington and pressured a particular insurance lobby to force payment and was successful. One thing you need to understand is that insurance companies run the government in regards to healthcare, it does not work the other way around, FYI. I know what it is I speak of.

Psychtrish39, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2011

That is what is odd. My very first RN job out of school at a small two hospital system in Missouri offered me first day benefits for me and my children. I didnt make the highest wages but for a new nurse and newly divorced single mom it was wonderful. This was in 2003 not really that long ago. I wonder if they still offer first day benefits for full time employees at the time they offered some to part time and on call as well. I think its just management and corporations saving a dollar on the backs of employees. Its done all the time but it is a bit embarrassing to tell people I work the equavalent of full time and have no benefits but I am looking for full time with benefits all the time. Most places at a minimum you have to wait 90 days and no pre existing conditions and expensive if you are not in the best of health.

They still do offer first day benefits and still are a non-profit system at my first hospital I worked at. I agree sometimes maybe people do label themselves having pre existing conditions but I have had many HMO and PPO applications ask if you are under a physician's care. I dont have any pre-existing condition per se other than a tired butt some days:nurse: but our nursing cadre is aging and being a nurse for years wears out the joints and other parts of the body not even counting the stress we endure which leads to stress related illness . I believe healthcare will not change all the way per se until profit is taken out of it. I dont see that happening anytime soon in America.

Psychtrish39, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2011

Thats what I am planning on doing.. Onaclearday as I like working the way I am now and I am in generally good health. I believe Group Health here in the Pacific NW offers individual plans and Regence does too.