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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/18/2010 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
I just talking to my insurance company about the capsule study and flex sig, they will not cover anything before the first thousand dollars due to my deductable and cover 80 percent after that. And they may not even cover the capsule study, because it's considered 'experimental'. Why the hell are my parents dishing out 400 a month for this? Oh wait, that's right, because I need continuous coverage to not be denied coverage.

Also, I just started doing some calculations for my taxes (my boyfriend should be helping me tonight as he has the software) and I added up my medical expenses...they were nearly 20 percent of my income! And that's only the stuff that I paid, for, my parents have been making the insurance payments and paid for one of my months of asacol (w/out insurance because of deductable). It would have been much, much higher with that, and if I didn't have student insurance to pick up the slack on my c-scope.

Screw this, when I finish my doctorate I'm moving to Canada. Or Aussieland. Or England. Or Japan. Or something not the US.

On the plus side my UC is doing a bit better today than yesterday so far...more formed, less poos, less pain.
Posted 2/18/2010 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
Many employers and companies provide excellent insurance coverage. Your coverage just isn't the best. If you choose to stay in the US post doctorate, make sure you know what type of benefits your prospective employer carries before accepting a position. I have been out of college and in the workforce for 28 years and have had excellent coverage at all my jobs.

Sue
Posted 2/18/2010 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
sue-sadly I graduated in a recession so I haven't really had an option...I can barely find a job paying more than 10 an hour!
Posted 2/19/2010 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
I hear ya! I'm self-employed and my insurance company just keeps jacking up the rates every single year, but I can't leave them because no one else will insure me. They won't even let me switch plans within their company (Health Net). Have you looked into getting your scripts from Canada? That's where I buy my Canasa (Salofalk in Canada) because even with a negotiated price through my insurance, it was something like $700 for 30 of them. It was just $60 from Canada (CanadaDrugs.com), although they just increased their price to $80 for 30 of them - but still much better.

California is trying to get a single-payer insurance system through the legislature ... I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this time it will make it because so many more people are being affected. You don't realize what a mess everything is until you don't have employer-provided coverage and an uninsurable disease. :(
Posted 2/19/2010 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thank god that COBRA subsidy extension was passed for 15 months instead of the nine. My insurance is only a little over $120 a month. Of course I have been forking out the $2500 for my deductible the last 6 weeks for the remicade though!
Posted 2/19/2010 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
That is terrible that you spend so much on medical. I haven't had insurance in a few years and I manage to get everything either free or for discount. I got a colonoscopy by participating in a clinical trial, I was later denied for the trial but I got the free scope. In fact, I got $150 for participating. I also got free stool samples taken and bloodwork. I get my asacol and Canasa for free through patient assistance programs. When I wasn't able to get things for free, I ordered from Canada. I do find that it is cheaper to order from Canada than it is to pay the remaining % when your insurace doesn't pay 100% or close to it.  $1000 of drugs from Canada would last quite a while. I always submit my perscriptions to both US and Canada pharmacies so I have the option to reorder from Canada if necessary. I am getting insurance through a new job next month but it's a very good policy. If I were not getting great insurance, I would prefer to be uninsured and take advantage of being "low income".
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