Migraine

Hi,

I am currently paying almost $500/month through COBRA for health insurance and I cannot afford it. I have applied to Kaiser and Blue Cross and was denied by both because of my migraines. Specifically, it said that I have taken sumatriptan and fiorinal in the past year and have been to the urgent care once in the past year. If anyone has any information on affordable health coverage that I might qualify for, I would really appreciate it. I am located in CA.

Thank you,
Sarah

Hi there,

Who do you have COBRA with? In CA I believe there is something about that carrier having to take you. You might also contact an actual insurance broker and see what they can do for you. I know my neice and nephew used that to find an affordable plan for their family as he is self employed.

This is why we need to get ridd of pre-existing conditions that allows the insurance companies to deny coverage to anyone who has a pre-existing condition. It's very sad to hear the horror stories that tell what health insurance companies get away with. COBRA is very expensive and only goes for 18 months. In New York it costs almost $700 so it'ss an expensive option. We do have Healthy New York in New York which provides coverage from a variety of insurance companies for around $250 a month as long as you have worked in the last 12 months. Because New York funds it also they don't ask about pre-existing conditions. Might CA offer anything like that? I sure hope Congress passes a good bill that will stand up to the health insurance companies, give them some competetion and get rid of pre-existing conditions.

I just googled California health care options and found several websites. If you haven't checked www.coverageforall.org try that. Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by EmilyR:
I just googled California health care options and found several websites. If you haven't checked www.coverageforall.org try that. Good luck.

Yes, I have visited this website and contacted them over the phone. Unfortunately they program they told me I qualify for is in Central CA, not southern CA counties...I have Cigna through Cobra, but it's extremely expensive. I did find information about a program called Major Risk Insurance, but you are required to pay premiums for three months before you can receive services and there is a $500 deductible after that, if I'm understanding it correctly. It's soo frustrating because I am working full time, but in two part-time positions so I can't get benefits. I am feel like I am working to pay for health insurance when I actually would have paid $900 less out of pocket this year if I would NOT have had insurance!