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Breast Cancer
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Posted 7/25/2007 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
You have to switch insurance companies in the middle of treatment? There is a chance that something may happen with my husbands job and now I have to worry about the insurance.

I know the majority of companies won't cover a pre existing condition. Is there any hope of me getting insurance elsewhere? I'm sure it will cost a bloody fortune if I can. What the heck do people do in this situation? It's scary!

I should hopefully be able to get through my surgery before anything happens, but who knows. If I can get that done then I only....ha..only...have to worry about treatment afterwards.

Ugh!!!
Posted 7/25/2007 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Suzy,
We just faced that ourselves moving to a new job and to a new state. What I found was as long as I had continous coverage form the previous insurance carrier for the previous 18 months, there was no problem (and I think it is prorated, but I'm not sure). In the US there is a law that covers this kind of move/change in coverage, so it's well worth checking out. It covers these pre-existing conditions (which incidentally also includes pregnancy which I found out 12 years ago).

Best of luck to you!
Lauré
Posted 7/25/2007 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, that's part of the HIPAA thing that we all sign every time we turn around, it seems like. Check with your new insurance for any documentation you might need when you move, and then get it from your current insurer before you go. Makes life much easier. If you don't meet the criteria, you may still be able to pay for your current insurance to continue covering you for BRCA-related stuff only, as part of the COBRA plan. Best to find out now what your situation will be, rather than find out that your old coverage lapsed before your new plan covered you.

Good luck! I can't imagine moving in the midst of all this.

Hugs...
BEV
Posted 7/25/2007 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
My understanding is as long as you've had continuous coverage, a pre-existing condition makes no difference.  But, if he is losing a job, you may have to opt for Cobra.  It's horribly expensive, but better than nothing, if you are in treatment.  I've paid for it in the past for the same reasons.  Good luck.
Posted 7/26/2007 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I understand what Kathy said too. The main thing is to not let your coverage lapse no matter what. I think that pre-existing clauses only when coverage lapses...so keep it all current and you should be ok. But check into all options before making any choices, just to be sure you're covered.

Lori
Posted 7/26/2007 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Ok, thanks for the info all! I had no idea how it would work.
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