posted
I'm having a really hard time figuring out what to do.
I'm having a hard time thinking in general lately- so apologies if this is disjointed.
After 3 years of no health insurance, I just got PCIP through the state in December.
Then my husband lost his job 3 weeks ago. I only work part time. He has severance until February- so that is a blessing but we cannot afford anything extra...
And of course, in January, the premium goes up on the insurance. I can't afford to do both- pay out of pocket for a visit to an LLMD and pay for insurance.
I can't even afford to use the insurance but I don't know if I'd be stupid to get rid of it?
I'm trying to decide whether to see a LLMD and save up for a couple tests with money I'd save not paying an insurance premium- or keep insurance in case of a big health decline?
A little history:
I was bitten by 200 lonestar ticks in September. (I'm not kidding- there were THOUSANDS on me- and I can barely stand to think of it- it was so traumatic)
And although I did a course of doxy and steroids shots/ oral- I've had an increase of neurological problems, lymph pain, fatigue etc.
I've had lyme since 2004- tick bite in Northern Arkansas.
I saw a lyme doctor then and was diagnosed but I wasn't ready to accept that I had chronic lyme.
Before that, in 1998, I had rocky mountain spotted fever from a tick bite again in Arkansas.
I've been floudering ever since- seeing regular doctors and getting nowhere.
I finally started seeing a naturopath in 2011 and she helped me at least treat some symptoms.
Any thoughts on insurance vs. lyme treatment? Thank you!
Posts: 428 | From Midwest | Registered: Dec 2012
| IP: Logged |
kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
I am trying to recall who it was that cancelled insurance in order to get treatment, but can't recall right now.
If i do, I will let you know. Hopefully, they will see this post.
The thought has crossed my mind too but I have yet to follow thru on it.
I know some drug companies will provide a limited amt of abx that we need...but would that be enough??
It is tricky trying to figure out what to do within the budget we have to work with.
Hoping your LLMD will be able to help you decide.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
BoxerMom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25251
posted
Keep the insurance! You will need antibiotics for years and basic labs regularly. That should be covered.
If you need to go to the ER, that's covered.
If something happens outside of Lyme that requires treatment, that's covered.
Don't leave yourself vulnerable by canceling insurance.
DO review your benefits and see if it makes sense to change your coverage. Higher deductible for smaller premium? Major medical with separate prescription coverage?
Insurance sucks. It always feels like it costs more than it's worth. But you have to have it to protect yourself from a financial catastrophe. And it goes further in Lyme than you think.
I don't know the laws around pre-existing conditions now, but it used to be that once you went uninsured, ANY health problem you had was now considered a pre-existing condition on a new policy, and not covered.
My husband went through two years of unemployment. We chose to maintain our insurance. Thankfully, we qualified for a subsidized payment. We had crappy coverage, too. But we still needed it and I'm glad it was there.
We used to pay LLND and Igenex out of pocket. The rest was covered. Now we see a LL doc who takes insurance. There are some out there.
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I agree with BoxerMom. Lots of good advice there. You need the insurance to pay for the prescriptions and tests that a lyme doctor will order.
The insurance will cover everything but the lyme doctor visit.
If you can find a lyme doc who takes insurance, that would be great. But, even if you can't, you will go broke paying for prescriptions and required blood tests if you don't have insurance.
And, the most common reason why people have to file for bankruptcy is medical bills. Don't want that to be you.
One hospitalization would do it.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
lax mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38743
posted
The cost of the LLMD visit is tiny compared to the cost of meds/tests.
If you have a medical emergency and have to go to the emergency room and stay overnight at any hospital, it could run you thousands of dollar(Maybe 10,000 or more!)
The hospital costs are insane!
Posts: 163 | From New Jersey | Registered: Oct 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
Daynise, call your insurance and ask them to go over the plan with you. I did and they were happy to do it.
Posts: 620 | From Ks | Registered: Oct 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
Definitely keep the insurance. When my lyme got worse and I was hospitalized with seizures 8 years ago I was glad I had insurance. When lyme caused me to have surgery, insurance covered it.
I also tell my young colleagues to invest in disability insurance even if they are healthy. Wish I had, although I am working full time.
Hiker53
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 10247 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
| IP: Logged |
sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
My insurance actually paid some on my LLMD visits. Of course it was out of network, but it paid 60%. Plus it paid for meds and labs.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
remember, some companies will not cover you if you ever cancel insurance.
you may not be able to get it in the future when you really need it.
by all means, keep it. better to have insurance than to have none and really need it.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic