Poor Pitiful Me

[Jaybay]

I don't often post about my own ups and downs because I spend most of my efforts trying to distract myself from the downs.  (If that makes any sense!)  Here's a real downer.  Our COBRA policy expires this Thursday.  We've been using two insurance brokers to try to find some kind of private coverage.  Shoot, I'll take catastrophic coverage only at this point.  

I am uninsurable.  Why?  Because I am on opiate therapy.  Every underwriter has come back with the same line.  Good thing I've been tapering off the meds.  I won't be able to afford them now anyway.  My DH is uninsurable as well due to his Barrett's Esophogus condition and high blood pressure.  If he could find employment, we would at least be able to pay for medical care, but that's another issue entirely.  These are indeed the times that try men's (and women's) souls.  :-/

[JadedSweetheart]

Jaybay, I really hate this for you!  I admire your strength for preparing to taper all the way!  I know you are a strong lady and you can do it.  It just seems so unfair that good people are having more and more trouble getting the freaking medicine they need.  It's not like it's a luxury.  It's medicine.  
I hope that something comes through for your hubby or some sort of good coverage comes through for you.  
PS. I checked out the PCIP.gov website and it has all the information for all the states new high-risk pools.  I didn't get a chance to look into it much but I saw that TX was one of the states that will have a new group.  I don't know if it would work for you or not but I wanted to mention it.

[Jaybay]

Today we managed to find catastrophic coverage, so that's something anyway.  We have 60 days to find a full coverage policy in order to not have the pre-existing conditions count.  Maybe God will be merciful and DH will finally find a freakin' job, but after all this time I'm not counting on it.  His industry is dead in the water these days with so much being outsourced to China.

I see my pain doc for the last covered visit tomorrow.  The way her practice has functioned for 5 years is to see patients every 3 to 4 months, and more often only if there is a problem.  Patients on schedule II scrips, like me with the fentanyl patch, just call the office and pick it up when it's ready.  Now, with new regulations governing pain clinics, I have to go in every month.  Cha CHING!  Just gets better and better doesn't it?  Pain meds just aren't worth the bother or expense now, so I'll see what the doc can do to speed up the taper into a full detox.  My goal was to completely get off the fentanyl and just use the norco on the really bad days.  Now, I don't know if even that's worth it.  Sorry to be such a bummer, but I'm quite frankly bummed.  :-/

[Sarajmt]

Oh CRAP!!  I am so sorry.  I don't quite know how you're going to make it. I don't mean to be a pessimist but I don't think I would without something to get through this.  Is there any way you could afford a cheaper alternative like hydrocodone?  I know it's not going to be enough. I'm on it and am in pain most of the time but it beats the heck out of having nothing.

Again, I am really sorry.  This is heartbreaking!  You need help and hopefully there will be some coming soon.

[happyhbmom]

It says you can apply for your state's risk pool as of July 1.

[happyhbmom]

Sorry, this is a better link

https://www.pcip.gov/

[happyhbmom]

http://www.healthinsurance.org/risk_pools/

[happyhbmom]

Jaded, keep checking.  Remember that every state is required to create one due to health care reform- I'm not sure of the due date (ha ha, pregnancy pun) but if the program Marley posted has nothing, hopefully something will show up soon!

[marley2003]

http://www.coverfloridahealthcare.com/

[marley2003]

I don't have time to post much but FL does have a version of the high risk pool since January 2009. It's called Cover Florida and they have several plans for regular & catastrophic coverage. It's for people who lost coverage, can't qualify for medicaid, have pre-existing conditions etc. The best plan they had last time I looked was through United for a woman in her 30's it was about $340/month. There are cheaper plans but they don't cover much. I will find & post the link later, but it is out there!

[JadedSweetheart]

Indeed they are, Jaybay.  I am so sorry this has happened to you.  I found out I'm uninsurable last spring.  DH is uninsurable because he was in an MVA and had to be revived on the scene so they won't cover a broken toe without attributing it to "pre-existing conditions" and he doesn't take anything for pain.  He hasn't even seen a doctor in years.  Doesn't matter.  He was supposed to have BCBS through the company in AZ but they can't get the business loan they need to get him on full-time until Congress figures out what they're gonna do with financial regulation.  
I was able to get coverage through the state but I just found out how they view a pregnant woman on Medicaid and opiate therapy.  I'm just pissed at myself that I even thought they might be able to discern between a drug seeker and a patient with legitimate need.  What a sick world.
Times that try men's and women's souls, indeed.  

Happyhb- Florida doesn't have a high risk pool.  I'm not sure about Jaybay's state but here it's "just deal with it".  In a county with one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation and a state with low wages, and statistically high unemployment/low new construction.  There are so many people in this country who would be considered "high-risk", the insurance companies can't maintain their billion dollar profit margins.

I'm sorry for venting on your post.

[happyhbmom]

Most states are now putting together their programs for difficult to insure people.  Hang in there, you'll be able to get something soon!

I know California has a program for high risk patients, can you check with your state as well?