Do you know what happens with insurance and preexisting conditions when a sick person, a person with lyme, gets married? Would I be able to get coverage for lyme/meds on a "future husband's" insurance policy that he has from his job?
Or would I have to remain on my current insurance policy. Would I bee able to keep my current policy and also be on future husband's insurance?
I have no idea about this and just wanted to ask if anybody knew.
Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :
A good friend of mine recently lost her job; had a "shotgun" wedding so as not to lose insurance!!! Her husband had good insurance through CDF (California Department of Forestry).
She has "lupus" -- I am convinced she has lyme, actually -- finally convinced her to take an IGeneX blot which she's doing this week!!!
Husband's new insurance picked her up, pre-existing conditions and all, no problem.
Though I've also heard of other companies excluding pre-existing conditions for new spouses for 6 months. So it might be a state-to-state thing or perhaps company-to-company. Not sure. He should call his insurance company!
Good luck...and congratulations!!
Michelle
Posted by dmc (Member # 5102) on :
my story same...still had MS diagnosis then and when I got married his insurance took me - no problem
Posted by cjnelson (Member # 12928) on :
From my experience, personal and professional, the above statements are accurate.
But something else to consider....
you are newly marrying! No one knows what the future holds. PLEASE HEED THIS WARNING as NOTHING MORE than self preservation!!!!!
Hold onto your idnividual insurance as long as you can just to make sure the marriage goes in the direction you are hoping.
not trying to rain on your parade but divorce rates are very very high and add illness to the mix it complicates it even more
just be smart - logical and make ur choice based on that logic, not emotional and financial only!!!!
No one will EVER protect YOU as much as YOU - NOT EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by cjnelson (Member # 12928) on :
From my experience, personal and professional, the above statements are accurate.
But something else to consider....
you are newly marrying! No one knows what the future holds. PLEASE HEED THIS WARNING as NOTHING MORE than self preservation!!!!!
Hold onto your idnividual insurance as long as you can just to make sure the marriage goes in the direction you are hoping.
not trying to rain on your parade but divorce rates are very very high and add illness to the mix it complicates it even more
just be smart - logical and make ur choice based on that logic, not emotional and financial only!!!!
No one will EVER protect YOU as much as YOU - NOT EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by DesperationIn (Member # 13121) on :
I was engaged before I found out I had lyme. It's true that I have no idea what the future holds at all for me. I have been incredibly depressed as a result. I am only 23 and my fiancee seems devoted inspite of my condition for now. Although now, since I feel like I have already lost practically everything, I would not be surprised to lose him as well.
Posted by cjnelson (Member # 12928) on :
i am truly sorry to hear this. i got married a little over a year ago, dropped my insurance and ended up losing my marriage
funny, i found out AFTER the split i have had undiagnosed LYME for atleast 8 years....i am in a pickle i dont wish on my worst enemy!
if i can save one person from making the mistake i did it will be worth it...
always protect your interests first - and our health and insurance is of HIGH importance.....as you already know!
please know i am NOT a man hater either!!! i would give the same advice to a man!!!
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
If you have a private policy (or group, even) and you get married, you can still keep your private policy & get on your husband's as well (you might have to wait for a time period before they cover your pre-existing conditions but you would have coverage through your other insurance policy).
They will have to discuss which one becomes your primary (the two companies), so notify them both, but it's great to have 2 policies. The secondary policy will hopefully pick up whatever the primary policy doesn't cover. It really cuts down on your out of pocket expenses, if they have decent coverage.
I maintain the same private policy that I've had since college, despite the expense, because you never know what could happen in the future - not just in your marriage, but with your husband's job. His company could change carriers, or and I hope this doesn't happen, he could lose his coverage some other way (lay offs, etc).
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
I was already married. My COBRA was running out and I was able to get on my husband's insurance without a problem.
Luvs
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
Federal law allows employer policies to exclude pre-existing conditions for only 12 months. Every month you had coverage, assuming you don't have a break over 62 days, reduces that period by a month.
So if you have had insurance for 12 months or more, they cannot exclude pre-existing conditions. If you had it for 6 months, they can exclude for 6 months. Your state law may reduce this time period.
You may need to get a certificate of credible coverage from your current insurance to prove this coverage.
You should get a copy of the SPD (Summary Plan Description) of your fiance's plan so that you can look at the details of the plan coverage and know what they cover.
Look at the size of the deductible. This is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before the insurance starts paying. Also, what is the out of network coverage? Since many LLMD's are not in network.
Is it an HMO or a PPO? An HMO requires all care be coordinated by a primary care physician, which can be very difficult with Lyme treatment.