Desparate!

Good Morning.  First, I have never heard of an insurance company excluding one problem (unless maybe it is suicide).  Maybe someone else on here can address that.  But, if your daughter has a health insurance policy and is having problems with migraines, can't you appeal the "no migraine" visits?  Has she had a CT or MRI?  For one, if she is having severe headaches, the only way that other things besides migraines can be ruled out is through one of those tests.  I can't imagine an insurance company not allowing you to have your head checked to make sure there isn't something else going on.  I would fight this 100%.  Are migraines the only excluded illness/problems of this policy?  If you don't mind my asking, what insurance company does she have?

I am sorry if I am rambling, but I am completely flabbergasted over this.  For her to have this pain and not be able to get treated is unbelievable.  Maybe there are others on here (snugglesrn, etc.) that can give you more advice.  I feel for your daughter.  I have three children and I couldn't function to raise them without my migraine meds and my neuro doc.  In fact, yesterday morning, I woke up with a horrible migraine and had it not been for my meds, would most definitely had been in the ER.

Good luck and let us hear from you!

They will cover migraines if she has five years with no visits to the dr. for them or medication prescribed.  I am calling the insurance commissioner to see if this is legal.  Thanks for your responses.

I am sorry to hear that your daughter is having so many problems with her insurance. There is only one tip that I can offer you and that is maybe the doctor can write his bill to be submitted to insurance in a different way. For example: When I had my ECHO done to check for a PFO because of the migraines the insurance company would not cover it but the cardiologist wrote it up as I was getting a ECHO done because of potential high blood pressure and they covered it completly.
I also know that if her insurance won't cover a prevenative medication that your daughter could try an antidepresent, which I have read helps migraines (ask your doctor) and sometimes works as a preventative. Topamax can be written up for seizure activity or potential seizure activity. I know when my migraine problems first started they thought my third ventrical was enlarged and then they thought I was having seizures and I think that's the only reason why my CAT Scan, MRI, MRA, and EEG were covered.
I hope this helps. I know it is frustrating especially when dealing with the doctors. I hope she feels better soon!

Hi there. My one other thought is to try acupuncture and chinese herbs that they prescribe. That's what I've been doing for the past year, and have had some relief. I still need some of the regular drugs (triptans) but perhaps the acupunture can help prevent them enough so that she can get by on samples from her PCP. Good luck to you!