AmeriCorps

Have any of you done AmeriCorps? I have been offered an AmeriCorps VISTA position. They do offer a health care plan, which covers prescriptions at a $5 co-pay. They do not cover care for pre-existing conditions, but I called and was told they will cover any prescriptions for pre-existing conditions as long as you are taking them before you start the position. My UC has been pretty manageable since I first got on Asacol and Rowasa. I have never had to go on pred or any "harder" drugs thus far.

I have to make a decision on this position by Monday morning. I'm not sure about this and the health care thing scares me a little. You have to make a commitment to stay there for 1 year. You aren't allowed to work an outside job and they only pay you a living stipend of about $800/month. I just really, really hate my current job and have always been interested in doing something like AmeriCorps for a year. I have been applying to lots of actual jobs that provide benefits and real income, but none of those are calling me back...

Any personal experiences and/or advice would be appreciated.

Hi. Thanks for the reply. I asked if it would be considered a lapse in coverage since it's not technically health insurance...it is a government-run health care "plan," and they said it would not be considered a lapse in coverage for a future employer, but I did not ask specifically about my pre-existing condition being covered afterward. Thank you for bringing this up. I will call them back and ask specifically about this. I don't really trust their answers though because the guy sounded annoyed at answering my questions and was not very helpful at all.

This is so confusing and there are too many things to think about. It really makes me mad we have to worry so much about being covered and I have to turn down opportunities to do what I want to do just because I don't get healthcare.

That is a great idea. Thank you very much for your help. Glad to see you're in remission.

Yeah, there are lots of good programs through AmeriCorps. The one I was selected for is a nonprofit that helps the blind and visually impaired find jobs. I've applied to a bunch of others ones as well but haven't heard back from those yet.

Yeah, I decided not to do AmeriCorps after finding out that they don't cover pre-existing conditions--I'll just go straight to grad school. And I highly doubt that they'd cover Remicade for $5 :)

You probably can't take COBRA from your work's insurance since you're leaving voluntarily, right? I'd be really nervous to not have my UC covered, but that's just me. Maybe you can make a pro/con list?

That's great news from your insurance company!

Thanks for the advice, Old Hat. I agree for the most part, but I also know I feel like I'm on the verge of a mental breakdown if I am stuck at my present job much longer. I am not just being dramatic either. I really feel like I might go crazy. I'm already getting irritable to co-workers and others I have to work with in the public. Being in this office makes me feel physically ill and I dread coming here every day. And I've been applying to real paying jobs too but none are calling me back. I know I probably sound ungrateful for having a job, but this is how I feel. And I've lived with this job for over 2 years now, mostly because I was scared to lose the health insurance.

Some of the AmeriCorps positions would be more physically demanding, but the two I've been offered so far are not. One is a 9-5 office job doing graphic design work for a nonprofit. The other is helping with volunteer recruitment and volunteer training for the Red Cross, among other duties that I'm not sure of yet. That one would also generally be from 8:30-4:30 M-F, except for an occasionally evening training or meeting. With these two, i would mostly be working in one location, and I would be living close to my dad and a good friend. Right now, I am about 9 hours away from them and really have no friends living where I am now.

Yes, I'd still love to move to Colorado. I have applied to a few positions there but have not heard back from any yet.

You are probably right though that I should be cautious and stick with the insurance I have. It really sucks having a screwed up colon. Actually, no...what sucks is our stupid healthcare system in the US.

I agree with OldHat--we have to be careful about our jobs and health insurance. If I never had gotten UC, I would have gone to a top private college, raked up thousands of dollars in debt, and tried to find a job as a creative writer. Unfortunately, being in debt when I have medical bills to pay for the rest of my life and entering an unstable industry is not a good idea. And I also agree that we absolutely need healthcare reform. It ticks me off that AmeriCorps won't provide insurance for a pre-existing condition when we're serving our country for less than minimum wage.

You mentioned that you'd be living close to your dad--would you open to live with your dad for that year? That way you could use the living stipend for COBRA. This was initially my plan for AmeriCorps.

bookworm - I am sorry that your UC got in the way of your plans, too. I hope you don't give up completely on the idea of being a creative writer though. Lots of great writers start when they're older and writing is something you could do "on the side" if you have another full-time job with health insurance. I work as an editor/writer at a small newspaper right now, so you could find a writing job that does give you insurance. Probably won't be as fun as creative writing though.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure I'm going to do this AmeriCorps thing. It's only a year and if I do get super sick I can quickly try to find a job ..... or just go really in debt.... heh...

Well, so far I've been lucky enough to be offered two positions. I turned down one of them (doing graphic design with a nonprofit that helps the blind and visually impaired with job placement) and the other is with the Red Cross (I think I would be recruiting and training volunteers and helping to grow local support for the program but not sure what that all actually entails). I have to let them know by this Friday. I have an interview with another program tomorrow (doing public relations with a nonprofit that works to instill self-esteem in girls from preschool-high school...it sounds really cool!) and an interview this Friday morning with an environmental group.

The more I have thought it over, I think I feel comfortable with the health care plan for a year. I think I really want to do this...now I will just have to decide which program is the best for me. I have a really hard time making big decisions like this...

When do you graduate, bookworm? I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to get out into the workforce...

Wow, more interviews?! Let us know how it goes!

I graduate in December, but I plan on going to grad school next fall. It's too bad Americorps doesn't have a 6-month program, otherwise I'd do it.

Sara,

I would jump at the chance of working for AMRICORPS provided your drugs are covered. You cannot let YOUR life plans be dictated by UC!!! Worse case scenario is that you have to quit the program due to illness but the chances are good that you will be just fine. Never let UC rule your life; if it ever comes to that have surgery.

Go forward and I hope your year's service provides you with a postive and uplifting experience. Anything is better than your current crappy job!

Sue

Read Carole Gilligan if you get the post working with **** girls. RE joining the Corps I'm mainly concerned about your finances, not your ability. If new situations challenge your intellect/creativity, so much the better ... Definitely keep us posted! / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])

Sara, Go for it.

If nothing else, your job is putting stress on you which is BAD for UC.

When I was diagnosed this Spring (while living in South Korea), I was suddenly TERRIFIED about health insurance issues. I've had plans in the works to move back to America and then on to another country for awhile, but all of a sudden I had to think about things I wouldn't have had to before.

And then I realized that while I might have to modify my plans and can't go teach somewhere like Cambodia that lacks basic medical supplies, I can still probably live in/travel to enough places that DO have the medicine I need. I can't plan my life around a possible emergency. Just be smart and informed (which it sounds like you are) and do your best. You're young and managing your disease and there's no reason that it should manage you.