Yikes -- will I have problems getting health insurance?

The short answer to your question is yes, you are basically uninsurable outside of a group policy context.  

My husband was between jobs last spring and our full coverage lapsed.  I was able to secure a six month policy for the family which is basically catastophic health insurance -- all pre-existing anything is excluded and it is renewable at their discretion. 

I had a "we can biopsy it or come back in six months" mammogram in January, and I elected to wait.  My insurance agent told me that even THAT rendered me completely uninsurable, we should NOT apply for full coverage because being declined -- as we would have been -- is another red flag against you -- and the best approach would be to wait until after the "all clear" mammogram I was going to get in August.  

Oops.

In the meantime, and prior to my diagnosis, we got full group coverage through my husband's new job.  Immediately prior to my UMX, the insurance company said they were excluding treatment under the pre-existing condition clause unless I could provide "proof of creditable coverage" for the prior 12 months.  Because I had the fill in, catastrophic policy, I was given day for day credit for what would have otherwise been the pre-existing condtion exlusionary period so I was able to have the surgery and treatment as scheduled.  

Had I not secured the fill in, catastrphic policy, I would have had to wait however many days I was uninsured which we calculated was this March.  I was cool with that -- my family not so much.  

This may be a Texas rule -- who knows -- but the moral of the story is, if possible, have SOME sort of insurance at all times.  I was shocked that they accepted the fill in policy as "creditable" -- it was $3000 for a family of five for 6 months to give you an idea.   

I will never take health insurance for granted again.  It is a scary feeling having an "iffy" mammogram hanging out there with no coverage and no certainty that was going to change.   People who rant against Obamacare don't get how vulnerable we are -- not just cancer patients but anyone with a serious health problem in their history.  The only people in our country who don't have to worry are over 65. 

Hi, LWA.

First, let me say how sorry I am that you seem to have hit a Trifecta of bad news over the past 4 months....hysterectomy, breast cancer and then losing your job.  I am Director of HR for a finacial company and so to answer your question about health insurance -- yes, you are correct that if you try to get individual health care coverage they will either not insure you or will exclude coverage for the pre-existing conditions (in your case, breast cancer and anything gynecological) for a period of time, which I think is one year.  If you get another job that offers health insurance, the insurance carrier will have to take you with no questions asked, so that's your best bet.  Thank god for the Obama healthcare law when the pre-existing clause goes away for adults in 2014 (if the law isn't struck down of course), but unfortunately that doesn't help you much with your immediate need.

If you had insurance coverage at your job, you are entitled to COBRA continuation coverage for up to 36 months, but you need to select this option within 60 days of leaving your company.  Unfortunately this isn't an option for many people since the direct cost of their company health insurance is often prohibitive.  But it's a great option if you can afford it, at least until you can get an individual policy or get another job that comes with health insurance.

It's so totally unfair that it makes me grind my teeth.  I've got my fingers and toes crossed that you will be able to find another job that comes with health insurance.  Until then, best of luck to you.

Ellen

I think they can't deny you for pre-existing condition IF you have had coverage for the previous 12 months.  I left my job in Feb. 2010, extended that health insurance until June 2010, got a self insurance policy through Aetna (through an artist co-op, deductible of $5,000.)  Was diagnosed in Nov 2010.   They have renewed my insurance each time - the premium actually went down this year.  I will probably keep this plan forever, even if I wind up getting a job (or husband!) that has insurance, just so I know that I always have it.    

We have an insurance exchange in California now. I would research with them to see what your options are. I know that with the Affordable Care Act that people who haven't had insurance for 6 months can get it through the exchange and I would hope that there might be an exception in cases like yours. Good Luck, I waiting patiently for 2014 to see what options I will have. VJ

I second the person who said to check with the programs in your state. I went on COBRA and rode it out until the end (18 mo) but then had to get something else.  Being uninsurable, I went with a state program for those with uninsurable conditions, administrated by Blue Cross. It is expensive and high deductible but it is insurance. No complaints here.  So I bet CA has one as well - look into that first. And I agree - keep continuous coverage. I was told it was VITAL to have continuous coverage and not let it lapse.

LWA: I urge you to become familiar with the "portability" aspects of HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. HIPAA was implemented precisely in order to help people in situations such as yours. 

Please look at this info: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_hipaa.html 

The bottom line, though, as you've already figured out, is that you must maintain some sort of coverage. With HIPAA you can't be denied as long as you follow its "rules" of maintaining coverage.

This topic was also beat to death on the Insurance and Financial issues forum recently. You might want to read that thread as well.   http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/113/topic/780391?page=1