No health insurance

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Hello,

I just got accepted into a nursing program at my college. Was happy, couldn't believe until I saw all the documents I have to submit. Well, one, in particular, got me worried, as right now I do have health insurance nor my family. Don't know what to do. I looked up online, some says that the Open Enrollment is now closed, some private companies I can't apply since I am an undocumented resident, meaning illegal. Don't know what to do.

Please if anyone knows anything that could help, please help me.

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

Isn't there an option to waive it?

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Check with the school --- many colleges and Universities offer an insurance program to their students at a very affordable rate.

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Specializes in PACU, MED-SURG, PCU.

Look into a health sharing plan. Something like Samaritan's ministries, etc. You pay a monthly fee, and when you go to a doctor, you pay up front, but send in the paperwork and you get reimbursed. I'll look around for other programs that offer this.

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Specializes in PACU, MED-SURG, PCU.

Christian Healthcare Ministries is what I was thinking of. Check it out.

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I checked with my school and since they are community college, they don't offer health insurance :(

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I tried to contact my school, but I am still waiting to hear back from them

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Christian Healthcare Ministries is what I was thinking of. Check it out.

Do you think they offer this health plan in NJ? I researched a lot and it seems that here in NJ, some health insurances aren't available.

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I agree with the health sharing plan suggestion. I'm currently unemployed (due to being a full-time graduate student), so I have no options for affordable health insurance to cover me and my family. (I was getting quotes around ~$1500/month with really high deductibles--no thank you!). Our health share plan is through Liberty Health Share (~$425/month for family top tier plan). Make sure you do your research on how the health share plan works before enrolling, as it may or may not be a good fit for what you need. Also be sure to check if it will satisfy the school's requirement for health insurance (since it isn't actually insurance).

Another option might be to get catastrophic healthcare coverage only. This is often an affordable way to satisfy school health insurance requirements (especially when they can't be waived). Be aware though that it's exactly what it sounds like: catastrophic coverage only. It doesn't typically cover things like accidental needle-sticks, patient-acquired diseases, and other occupational hazards you could have as a nursing student.

Good luck!

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Hi Shanimal,

Thank you, well I talked to my school, they said I can get any type of insurance. I didn't know about the health sharing plan, until today. So I am going to call them Monday to make sure I can get that, even a catastrophic healthcare I can't apply for, because of my status here in the country. Honestly, I am freaking out, because I don't know what to do and I have to submit all the documents on October 31st, about a month or so. Even if I get the health sharing plan, I am not going to use, since thank god I don't go to the doctors so often so I just need it something to show to school, so I can meet with all their requirements.

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The health insurance is mainly required because you will be working with patients who are very sick and there's a risk of contamination and needle stick. You want to make sure that you are covered just in case. Speak to an insurance agent. Explain your situation and what you need insurance for. Hopefully you will find a solution. Good luck.

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