Completely and totally disgusted.

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

i'm pregnant.

i'm moving from north carolina to florida in three weeks.

i am a nurse and i currently have health insurance.

because i'm leaving the state and my job, my insurance plan will terminate with my employment here in NC. because the rich fat cats in charge of the health care in this country consider pregnancy a "pre-existing condition" EVEN THOUGH I HAVE PROOF OF COVERAGE AT THE TIME OF CONCEPTION, i cannot get health insurance for another NINETY DAYS until my new employer's group coverage kicks in.. and even then, i can be denied.

i am pure sick to my stomach. i am completely and utterly disgusted with the health care system in this country.

so, now, because i make too much money for any assistance, and there is not one insurance company who can help me, i am going to go bankrupt to have this baby.

now i have to pay for COBRA, for an insurance company that NO provider in florida takes. what do i do? quit my job and not work so i can get on medicaid?? maybe then i can afford my prenatal vitamins???? i have to see a high risk OB bc of my asthma. can i afford that out of pocket? NO. and no one seems to want to help me.

i guess me and my baby don't DESERVE health insurance or prenatal care. shame on me for moving out of state and getting pregnant.

the HIPAA law says that pregnancy cannot be deemed a pre-existing condition for someone who has health care coverage at the time of conception. however, BCBS wants $500 a month plus a $2500 deductible and a $1500 maternity deductible. the guy at cigna said "there's nothing i can do for you", and hangs up.

for those of you who are opposed to universal health care because you think "its my money and i shouldnt have to help pay for anyone else and if you want insurance go get a good job like i did", i ask you to have a freaking heart. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY SHAMEFUL.

what am i supposed to do now????

the land of opportunity in deed.

here i am, a nurse, i spend every day of my life taking care of sick people. NO ONE WILL TAKE CARE OF ME@!!!!!!!!

:crying2::crying2::crying2::crying2::crying2::crying2::crying2:

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Specializes in ICU, PACU, Cath Lab.

That is dumb...every policy I have ever had or seen has excluded pregnancy as a pre-existing condition, I even went through this with BCBS with zero issue. I am so sorry that you have to go through this!!! Maybe you can get on Medicaid anyway...since you are high risk?

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Alli,

I am so sorry...Shout this travesty from the rooftops.

P

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It is time for you to lawyer up. This is, I am willing to bet, illegal under COBRA.

And mazel tov on the baby!

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

Since you haven't left yet...is it possible for you to stay where you are until you have the baby?

You have to factor in other things...not just the birth, but in case something goes wrong with you or the baby that can equal a very expensive hospital stay.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

Contact the State of Florida Insurance Commissioner's office. Maybe you can start there if you're sure of your facts. You might also qualify for the state's Medically Needy program. It's not medicaid. It's targeted at patients with at risk diagnoses. I'm not exactly sure how it works but it might help.

Is there any way you can stay in NC until after your baby is born? I'm speechless at the state you find yourself in.

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

Wow, and here I was frustrated that my wife and I have to wait something like nine months before Blue Cross/Blue Shield will cover her pre-existing medical condition. But pregnancy as a "pre-existing condition"? That's ridiculous! I feel for you.

Gee, I sure hope our government (who screws everything up, ya know) doesn't mess up our wonderful utopian privatized health insurance system.

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Specializes in ICU.

This sucks, I know I've been through a lot with my insurance. But just look at what you can do. Stay where your at, and maybe keep your insurance..( i don't know if you've already quit) Postponing the move to florida a few months... or.. get to florida and go bankrupt.

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"BCBS wants $500 a month plus a $2500 deductible and a $1500 maternity deductible."

Yes, our for profit healthcare system is failing. I feel for you as this should be time for joy, not a time for worrying about not having healthcare coverage. But $500 mth is cheap for health insurance, even with a large deductible. I pay $1000 a mth right now for health insurance for me and my two teens. With copays, deductibles and premimums I have spent almost $64,000 in the past 4 1/2 yrs...that's 1/2 my income.

Check with the insurance board. My understanding was that COBRA covered until the DATE your new policy started. I also think once you qualify for a group plan, they can not exclud you for a pre existing condition.

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Specializes in ICU.

Sounds like you need to contact a lawyer. They can help you through this process and will be well worth the money spent.

the guy at cigna said "there's nothing i can do for you", and hangs up.

You need to go higher up. This "guy" is not the one who has the last say, rather most likely not willing (or can't) do anything for you. My husband used to be an insurance adjuster (not for healthcare, liablity for the commerical industry) and he told me many stories of where he technically had to deny a claim, but as soon as the client went through the chain of command, it was often reveresed.

While I think the way the insurance companies are treating you is horrendous, I still don't support a nationalized healthcare system. Sorry, I have very little faith in our government to run something like that adequately. You have yet to exhaust all of your resources to make sure your particular situation (as crappy as it is!) ends well, so don't give up! Our current system is definatley in need of improvement, but nationalizing it is not the only option.

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Specializes in ICU.

"BCBS wants $500 a month plus a $2500 deductible and a $1500 maternity deductible."

I also wanted to say that this doesn't seem so bad to me either. We pay the same per month and our deductibles are only slightly lower.

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Hello I am so sorry to hear your story...but i do have good news..I work for a "major" health insurance company..i actually enroll all the new COBRA subscribers...Here is what you do...You are going to have to pay for the COBRA..at least untill u have the baby...the benefits will be exactly the same as the plan you have now..i know it is expensive..heck i couldnt afford it if i left work! Someone in Florida will take the plan...even if it is considered out of network...or you could get medicaid...if you are not working or meet the income limitations...any pregnant woman not working..will NOT BE DENIED MEDICAID!! Do not consider it a handout..you have paid taxes all these years..u are just using some of your own money if you cannot afford the COBRA..by the way pregnancy cannot be considered pre existing that is illegal! Best wishes...

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