Health insurance for crohn's patients

Honestly unless you get insurance thru your employer, you more than likely will not be able to get insurance. And because of forum rules, we aren't going to get into the political atmosphere dealing with the healthcare bill. Sorry about that, these discussions just get too political and heated.

Are you able to work? If so, just make sure you find a job that offers health insurance and you should be fine. I have health insurance and pay $20 to see a doc and $5 for generic presriptions, but pay $15 for brand medications like my Asacol. Hope that helps a little and welcome to Healingwell.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*

I'm from Canada, so perhaps that disqualifies me from comment, but if I were you I would stay there - unless you're going to be making serious money in Missouri.

I don't think you'll have to worry about affording health insurance because I doubt anyone would sell you any. So it depends on whether your employer would offer it as part of a benefit package - and even then they could take it away at any time.

I wouldn't count on legislators to get much done. I mean, it only takes about 10 hours even on THIS site (in which we're all supposed to support each other) for the 'you are anti-American' accusations to start flying - as you can see on the latest health-care thread that was locked.

Perhaps someone in the USA currently can comment on your chances of getting affordable health care with a pre-existing condition better than I.

My guess would be that the University does provide insurance for all of you. There are some states in the U.S. where you can not be disqualified because of a prexisting condition, however, I do not believe that Kansas is one of them. If at all possible, I would discourage you from moving to the U.S. I am there now and it is not a particularly people-friendly or business-friendly place to be (I own a company here and the health care costs for our employees are absolutely crushing. This would not be the case for us in certain other countries.)

I actually attend the University of Kansas (blue and red) and Kansas State University (purple and white). If you are going to be in Kansas City you will either be at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KU MED) which is right on the Kansas border with Mo or University of Kansas Edwards Campus which is in Overland Park, which is the nicer area's of the two. The primary campus for the University of Kansas (there is no Kansas University per se it is just a common nickname to call it KU) is in Lawerence, which is actually about a 45 min drive from Kansas City (KC). So you need to find out for sure which campus he will be at.

Frankly it kinda depends on your husbands job on how insurance is going to be, but yes you should be able to get insurance' from the University, but make sure they include full detail for your coverage in his documenation.  While there might be a small waiting period, but school insurance is some of the best in the state.  I do not know how KU works for sure for staff and professors, but you will more then likely have a reduced rate for using the university health center and be able to get meds at a reduced rate.

This link should provide you with some information: http://www.hreo.ku.edu/benefits_pay/benefits_info

And while some disagree or you may catch someone on a bad day, generally Kansasan's are pretty friendly people (but maybe I am bias )  and there is an email address in that link that you can find out exactly what your benefits will (as a spouse) be in alot more details.

45K in Kansas is more then the median income (actually it is pretty good money for Kansas, not Lexus money, but Ford Explorer, if you get my car metaphor :) ), but Overland Park is the richest county in the state and rent is generally inflated in University areas.  I would suggest finding a place to live within the next couple of months, unless the university will help you find a place.  Just simply because there is not always alot of housing close to the campus come fall.

I would suggest when you get here calling pharamacies and asking how much pentasa is because there can be alot of difference in price, depending the pharamacy and your insurance.

I will say you will probably need a car as public transporation is not always very availible in this state.

I saw Dr. Buckles one of the GI's at KU Med he is pretty decent and there are GI's in Lawerence if that is where you are going.

Also feel free to email me at [email protected] if you have questions you do not want to share online.

r2009,
I work for a university in New York State and have full medical coverage paid by my
job benefits. Usually your cost of health insurance depends on your salary.
I am almost sure you will be covered on your spouses plan. There are some jobs
in my area that will give you medical coverage working part-time if you qualify.
Your biggest challenge will be to find a Gp,Gastro,and solid hospital.
Over the years, I've seen and talked to alot of Dr.'s nurses, surgeons,and medical
staff. You will be a long way from home ,but you should get outstanding health care.
Welcome to the USA,I hope you enjoy your time here.

You should be able to get healthcare on your husband's plan through his job. I would think a University would offer health care insurance. Be prepared for rising out of pocket expenses, though. Lately, even the best plans have larger co-pays and deductibles. In America, if you have a pre-existing condition you cannot get an individual policy. Even in states where they are not allowed to reject you based on that, they make it prohibitively expensive. I would not expect any public health plan to be passed anytime soon. Most people get their coverage through their job. I do and it is good insurance, although, costs are rising. My share is now $2400 a year. For a family plan, out of pocket is $4800. Even states with high risk plans for those with preexisting conditions, insurance is difficult to get. If I were you, I would get clear explanations about what coverage you will have from your husbands future employer. Very important, because if by chance you are not covered, better to stay in England. Good quality health care here in the U.S., but it is expensive.

Not trying to start a debate....but I thought Bush changed things with healthcare and made it illegal to deny or descriminate with healthcare insurance based on pre-exisiting conditions.  I never actually read what the bill says so I don't know exactly.  Have I been misinformed?

Universities offer health insurance. Some offer Blue Cross Blue Shield. They're a decent insurance company, at least with the experience I've had.
I've been on two different insurance companies while receiving treatment and they've paid for everything. I have not; however, been officially diagnosed because my tests were inconclusive. It may be a little different. You should be able to get on your husbands insurance. My mom has other pre-existing conditions and she's been able to get on my dad's insurance in the past and now has her own policy.
Your best bet is doing some research. Good luck with everything and congratulations on the baby

Your husband should contact the benefits office at the university (I included the link for you below--contact information is over on the right side of the page). As a fairly recent PhD graduate (and as someone who is looking to get back into a university job after being in industry), I am almost 100% certain that your husband's job will come with health insurance with the option of adding you and your child at a fairly low cost. Universities (especially public ones) in the US generally have very good insurance coverage.

http://www.umkc.edu/hr/benefits/default.asp