Question regarding whether or not to get coverage

Hello -

I'm a 23 year old male, recently graduated from college in Washington State. Though I have a degree, I have been unable to find work of any sort. So I have decided to join the Army in order to pay my bills and serve my country.

However, I ran into a snag when I found that I would need to get an EEG test before they would enlist me - I had seizures as a child, and they need proof that my brain is okay.

I dont have health insurance; as I said, I'm unemployed. I'm at a loss as to how to proceed. I dont know if it would be worth it to get health insurance if I only need this one single test. I've considered going to DSHS and seeing if they can help me, but from what I've heard it will take months for them to process my application, then even longer to actually get the test - and that's assuming I'm accepted.

I don't know how much an EEG costs, and have had difficulty finding that out (A nurse friend simply told me "A lot"). I also don't understand some basic principles of health insurance (For example, I understand what a deductable is, but if my deductable is bigger then the cost of an EEG test, why should I bother?). Would I have to sign a contract if I do get health insurance?

Money is an issue but I can beg/borrow/steal a little extra to get insurance.

Any help is much appreciated.

[Amir Mostafaie]

Dear Wolf14016,

Most individual plans cover services like an EEG subject to the plan deductible which means putting it in your own words if your deductable is bigger than the cost of an EEG test your plan will not pay anything towards it.

Another issue you may run into is that most health plans only approve claims that were made for the purpose of diagnosing a condition in presence of some sort of signs and symptoms and in this case the primary purpose of getting the EEG is to qualify to enlist in the Army.

As for the cost of an EEG, it depends on where you live but I have heard figures from $300-$700. Why such a range you ask? That is because insurance companies pre-negotiate lower rate with labs. Also after the actual test is done a specialist has to read the results & provide interpretation of what they read (which is why this test is expensive).    

Keep in mind that you can call the labs around you & get quotes & try to negotiate a lower rate with them.

Sincerely,

Amir Mostafaie