posted
I've had Lyme disease for three years and have paid for all my treatment (LLMD) out of pocket with the exception of a discount I get on Doxy and Flagyl through my insurance company, HealthNet.
HealthNet is horrible and very expensive in spite of my huge deductible. I'm thinking about switching to Kaiser Permanente, which is about $200 a month less and offers much more in the way of preventative services.
On the meds I have few other health concerns, but on the application I can't hide that I've been taking antibiotics.
What I'm wondering is if anyone has been denied insurance because they have Lyme. Has anyone been forced into more expensive coverage because of Lyme?
[ 11-16-2011, 04:44 PM: Message edited by: 34974 ]
Posts: 3 | From Southern California | Registered: Nov 2011
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posted
No, that did not happen. I previously had Uniform Medical in WA state, and now have Medicare plus supplemental insurance.
The Uniform paid for my doctor (LLMD) visits as out-of-network. Current Dr. (LLMD) takes Medicare.
I'm not sure, but if you have continuous coverage without a lapse, I don't think you can be denied. Again, not positive about it, but worth looking into it.
Best wishes. Hope it all works out for you.
Posts: 873 | From WA | Registered: Dec 2005
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Welcome to LymeNet!
Before switching to KP, you may want to know that it has been so bad for Lyme patients an entire website was set-up about it. Not pretty.
Another thought... if you add up your payments to your insurance company, then the deductible you pay...
And then figure out how much your meds and office visits and other Lyme related bills you have...
Would it save any $$ by not having the insurance?
Also, yes, people have been denied insurance due to Lyme in the past and some have been forced to pay more after getting Lyme. Some companies won't provide life insurance to those with a history of Lyme disease.
posted
I'm not concerned about whether or not they will cover my Lyme treatment. In fact, there is nothing "on the record" that I ever got treated for Lyme other than that I've been on antibiotics for three years. I don't even mind paying for my own antibiotics.
What I'm concerned about is if they will deny me coverage for everything else because of my Lyme Disease.
[ 11-16-2011, 04:46 PM: Message edited by: 34974 ]
Posts: 3 | From Southern California | Registered: Nov 2011
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Beth said.. "I'm wondering if I should even mention it on the application."
I'm no expert, but not mentioning it would probably be considered insurance fraud. So if you don't want to end up in the pokey, you might want to be honest on the application.
posted
OK So if you don't mention it on the application, they will later deny you any coverage on ANY bill regarding Lyme Disease, siting that you did not disclose a pre-exisiting condition. So you must disclose it.
Its my opinion that you'll be denied insurance if you have any pre-exisiting condition. Its total BS, but I've experienced it a million times first hand. Its awful. I would stay right where you are, cause you might not be able to get anything anywhere else.
I just had to go uninsured for 6 months before I could get covered by my State run Insurance pool, when I got kicked out of my last insurance (they found a loop hole and there was nothing I could do).
Posts: 844 | From CA | Registered: Apr 2010
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