Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

tpsbmam

(3,927 posts)
26. I was thinking about the federal pool, too
Fri Dec 16, 2011, 09:03 PM
Dec 2011

That's what I recently joined. It's no panacea, though! The deductible is HUGE, BUT the plan I joined pays at 100% once the deductible is met. Well, 100% for "in-network," but there's lots of that around here. I joined when I was diagnosed with what we thought was ovarian cancer. I'd been going without up until then -- and NC didn't get the federal plan until a year ago. Up 'til then, it was just the NC high-risk plan, which was awful. I'd been getting by using freebie care through "Project Access" here (a wonderful program) and going to the local community health clinic for general care. Even with insurance, I've stuck with community health -- I love my primary there (a very talented nurse practitioner) and the drugs are WAY cheaper than regular pharmacies. I have 10 prescriptions/month that would cost about $300/month elsewhere. They cost me about $85/month at community health. Since my deductible is so high, I'm much better off just paying cash for most of my meds and handling it that way. I really have the insurance for catastrophes, as the probable ovarian cancer was. It literally took about 2 weeks to be approved for it AFTER the diagnosis of probable ovarian cancer. (I got lucky....the large tumor turned out to be "low-malignant" with no spread.)

So, I'm rambling at this point (REALLY tired).....that would be my advice. I have MASSIVE medical bills at this point -- I really don't advocate going the no insurance route. Even if one has catastrophic, it's something that prevents losing everything one has to medical bills! The monthly cost of the insurance is higher than I'm comfortable with, but everyone I know who has private insurance says my fees are WAY lower than they pay.

It all sucks -- I'm also a single-payer advocate. The medical costs in this country are shameful, and most of it's due to lobbyists, private corporations & their political puppets!

I commiserate with you and rage at the 'system' CurtEastPoint Dec 2011 #1
Best of luck, great you're out of old job and doing nicely in new job. elleng Dec 2011 #2
Skip the insurance. izquierdista Dec 2011 #3
It's one hell of a risk to take Warpy Dec 2011 #5
The other thing to point out is that the current health care system truedelphi Dec 2011 #21
I would have to agree Seedersandleechers Dec 2011 #6
I had to stop taking pain meds because my doctor decided that I needed to see him every 3 weeks MedicalAdmin Dec 2011 #11
That is so not right. Seedersandleechers Dec 2011 #13
Those are great ideas. MedicalAdmin Dec 2011 #16
Our household has been in the same situation truedelphi Dec 2011 #23
That is just so not right. Warpy Dec 2011 #25
Good ideas, but I can't afford the appointment for the referral and then the referral appointment... MedicalAdmin Dec 2011 #27
+1 freshwest Apr 2012 #44
same here--cancer survivor at 39 zazen Dec 2011 #4
Glad you survived! Lindakimy Dec 2011 #10
That is great advice. And one other thing - for the duration of your time truedelphi Dec 2011 #24
Best of luck to you Irishonly Dec 2011 #7
Have you checked out the federal pre-existing condition pool? Vinca Dec 2011 #8
Checking it out now Lindakimy Dec 2011 #9
I just checked out the federal program in my state... MedicalAdmin Dec 2011 #12
I am so sorry Irishonly Dec 2011 #14
Chronic health and insurance Bully Taw Dec 2011 #15
I am glad that your son is getting good care. MedicalAdmin Dec 2011 #18
When your son is no longer able to be on your insurance, some fifteen years from now, truedelphi Dec 2011 #22
Working in admin in a private clinic as I do (and as a former drone for BCBS)... MedicalAdmin Dec 2011 #28
I had heard that information mentioned and didn't truedelphi Dec 2011 #30
you are correct. unapatriciated Jun 2012 #46
I'm going with "what is dumber than a sack of hammers, for $200 Alex?" n/t MedicalAdmin Dec 2011 #17
LOL Thank You! Irishonly Dec 2011 #19
Anytime and it was my pleasure. MedicalAdmin Dec 2011 #20
Yet our health costs in this country are significantly higher truedelphi Dec 2011 #31
I heard the crap regarding wait time - Canada vs US. unapatriciated Jun 2012 #47
I was thinking about the federal pool, too tpsbmam Dec 2011 #26
IT's good that you can afford that. MedicalAdmin Dec 2011 #29
OMG, that's the story of my life! tpsbmam Dec 2011 #32
Good luck and merry Christmas. MedicalAdmin Dec 2011 #33
Update on uninsurable Lindakimy Feb 2012 #34
Please . . . check the federal pool. Vinca Feb 2012 #35
Information? Lindakimy Mar 2012 #36
Here you go. Good luck. Vinca Mar 2012 #37
Where to start Lindakimy Mar 2012 #38
I just clicked on South Carolina at the link and you're in luck because the feds control it. Vinca Mar 2012 #40
New hook in the fish Lindakimy Mar 2012 #41
That's a big flaw in the law. My neighbors were in the same boat. Vinca Mar 2012 #42
That is exactly what I need - anon223 Oct 2012 #50
Here's what happened when I applied - Vinca Oct 2012 #51
PICIP (Pre-Existing Condition Plan Preybrother Mar 2012 #39
Holding pattern Lindakimy Apr 2012 #43
Spring for the high risk insurance and pray that Obamacare survives the SCOTUS. McCamy Taylor Apr 2012 #45
I am in heart failure. My insurance company dogday Sep 2012 #48
Just saw this and KNOW you can relate. Check it out. Proof that PCIP WORKS! SJohnson5677 Oct 2012 #49
That's great Lindakimy Nov 2012 #52
Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Chronic Health Conditions Discussion and Support»Just found out I am "...»Reply #26