Greetings,
I'm very amateur at dealing with insurance companies and insurance types. I am presently uninsured. About a year and a half ago I started having sciatic pain. I was diagnosed by the UCLA ER with a herniated disc. It seems like the disc slips in and out of place because the pain comes and goes on a random basis.. I'm currently in pain (have been for two + weeks) and this is the 4th or 5th time I've had a "flare-up" since the pain first started over a year ago..
Up until yesterday I had a regular doctor (PCP?) that I was seeing, but when I called his office I was informed that he has passed away. I am almost out of Vicodin now, and have yet to find another doctor who can fill my prescription.. Vicodin and Motrin are really the only things I've been using to alleviate my pain.. I had tried a chiropractor, but he was hurting me and I stopped seeing him..
I need to have some form of treatment for this back problem, but I obviously need to become insured before seeking that treatment.. I do not know which type of insurance would be best suited to my needs.. I went to ehealthinsurance.com and was looking at the kaiserpermanente $1500 deductible plan, but when I read what the different plans offer it's almost like trying to read Greek.. Some of the information makes sense, but it's hard to know if any particular plan will cover my needs and "pre-existing back condition".. I don't have anyone to guide me or help answer questions. I don't know what to do right now and I don't know what my options are.. I've already been missing work due to the pain I endure.. Vicodin is the only thing making me able to still go in to work, without it I would be in too much pain to stand on my feet for more than a few minutes..
Can you please help me decide what steps I need to take, and possibly offer a suggestion for an insurance plan/provider that might fit my needs?
Thank you for your time,
SciaticSufferer