LymeNet Flash: choosing health insurance

This is topic choosing health insurance in forum General Support at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by achey (Member # 6284) on :

A family memeber was recently employed by the US government. She has many options to choose from fro health insurance. She may have LD.

Does anyone have any advise on what insurance plans are supportive of Ld treatment and alternative supporting therapies that one with LD might need?
Like chiropratics, naturopathy, accupuncture?

Thank you , Thank you Thank you!

Posted by snowboarder (Member # 6346) on :

Achey,

Each insurance plan is different. You could have 3 people on Aetna but they can have very different benefits.

If she's looking for something specific, my advice would be for her to get a copy of each plan or ask HR about what is covered and what isn't.

Many plans will cover chiropractic but others have that has an exclusion. I would think the US government has excellent benefits but am not sure.

My dad retired from the US government and I'm not sure what insurance him and my mom have. They aren't ill and hardley ever go to the doctor.

I have Humana and they've covered everything for my husband, daughter, and I relating to lyme. I've been very fortuante.

Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :

I'd suggest at looking at the plans themselves and seeing what freedom they offer. A PPO may be easeir than an HMO, because she won't always need referrals to see specialists. But, of course, you want to make sure the PPO has a good network.

She should be able to get a comparison of coverage that includes what alternative therapies and home treatment are covered. That depends on what the gov't has contracted with them for.

From what I've heard, the Blues don't cover abx over a month. It may just be IV they don't cover.

Posted by Hikin Mike (Member # 6508) on :

I have Blue Shield and have been on antibiodics for almost a year. I started off with 2 months of IV antibiodics and now do orals. I also have monthly IVIG, since October. I have had no problems yet.

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-Mike

Posted by brainless (Member # 6771) on :

Don't choose a HMO.

I had the option of ten kinds of insurance. I eliminated HMOs because I believe they're murdering bastards. Then I sat down, for hours at a time, and read what each had to say and chose the one that allowed me to see any kind of doctor, any time. It was the company itself. I had to pay 20% but it's worth it. I, also, learned to negotiate with all doctors, companies etc to see if they would accept the 80% the ins paid them. Most did. One thing I would do differently is to inquire about the length of home IV treatment for Lyme that they pay for.

[This message has been edited by brainless (edited 13 June 2005).]