Health Insurance

[daffodil]

As a freelance worker, I pay my own health insurance. I'm being offered a year's contract work with full benefits. I have Hep C, have tried and failed tx.
My questions are: Can they deny me insurance because of a preexisting condition? Will I be costing myemployer a lot of extra money? Do I dare drop my present insurance? When the job ends can I go on Cobra, then get individual insurance without mt premium skyrocketing?
Can anyone advise me as to where to go for information? Thanks!

[jonihs]

When I was txing, they sent me enough Copeg for 1200 mg. a day and I only took 800 as per Dr.s orders. So I built up extras and now have a full bottle of Copegus. I will send them to whoever needs them. E-mail me your address @ ***@****.  Joni

[daffodil]

Thanks everyone, that's good advice. I am self employed. It sounds as if I shouldn't accept their  insurance offer, and therefore lose tousands of dollars. But I will try to negotiate. I don't think they'll go for it, because many people are covered bt their spuses, and don't receive extra compensation.

[jonihs]

Thanks hon, I thought of MK but don't know how to contact him. Joni

[shebee]

HI there...hubby is on cobra now.  It cost a small fortune!
But the meds are much higher!  We chose to keep his insurance as long as possible, because mine will not cover him.

...and if you don't first try don't get it...try, try again.

Hubby is now on daily infergen and riba and everything (after 2? YEARS) everything is starting to look good. It looks like his liver is somehow healing and his platlett count is on the rise.

They extended his tx for 24 more weeks.  Get another dr and try again....and keep you insurance until you clear.

Your,
Shebee

[jonihs]

Miles does not need my Copegus, so my offer still stands. Joni

[calagold]

For those of you who cannot obtain the insurance coverage because of the pre-existing conditions such hepatitis diseases should consider incorporation. Once you're incorporated, you can apply for group coverage as an employee of the company. The insurance companies cannot deny any person in the group plan except add small fee for the pre-existing conditions

[sher_]

Brilliant! Thanks!

[lookin-up]

calagold - You are SO correct!!  We formed a partnership allowing us to get"group" coverage...we own our own business.  

Daffodil - had we dropped our individual coverage, we would be un-insurable.  Don't drop.  It's sad to say, but as an individual, we shopped around and they told me to come back in 10 years after having breast cancer.  Then I got Hep C & they told us that they were dropping all individual policies, so now our business is a partnership and because of my high risk status - we pay $1600 monthly.  OUCH!!   It's a sad fact!

I hope the best for you!