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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Amanda on September 26, 1999, at 17:19:55
Hello everyone,
Hope everyone is doing alright, or better at least. Anyway, to my point~I have panic disorder that I've been treated for by the same HMO since '93, (Kaiser Permanente, just so everyone knows) and my insurance is up in Dec on my 25th b-day. I tried, at one time, to apply to the same insurance company for an independent plan, as it's my dad's insurance that covers me. Anyway the reason they turned me down is because of my pre existing condition, being panic disorder. I've been taking nortriptyline and Klonopin for 6 yrs now, and there's NO WAY I can function without my meds. In fact, I still get anxiety attacks periodically, even with the medication. My question is, does anyone know of alternate roots to go to that can treat me? I live in Cleveland Ohio, so if anyone knows about anything, PLEASE tell me! I get panic attacks just worrying about not having insurance. I have a feeling I'm pretty much screwed. Oh, also, if anyone know about any type of Rx plan that's relativly cheap, that would be great feedback too, because I'll wind up paying about $100 a month for my Rx's. Okay, I hope everyone is feeling better, and if you want, you can email me directly at spags62@hotmail.com. Thanks alot!
Amanda
Posted by Bob on September 26, 1999, at 18:49:38
In reply to Health insurance~HELP!!, posted by Amanda on September 26, 1999, at 17:19:55
I checked out the website for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (www.nami.org). They didn't have anything specific, but there were a few leads:
#1 -- from a page on insurance reform
To find out more about insurance coverage in your own state, visit NAMI on the Internet at http://www.nami.org or call the NAMI Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).
If you have specific concerns about your health insurance, contact the customer service department of your state insurance commissioner, whose number can be obtained from the:National Association of Insurance Commissioners Support & Services Office
120 W. 12th Street, Suite 1100
Kansas City, MO 64105-1925
(816) 842-3600#2 -- they have a listing of pharmaceutical companies that offer free or subsidized meds to people who meet the requirements for low income. Klonopin's maker is on the list. The meds are listed by brand name, and I didn't see either of nortriptyline's brand names (Aventyl, Pamelor) on the list. That doesn't mean it's not covered -- you just need to contact the drug's manufacturer. The URL for that page is http://www.nami.org/update/freemed.htm. The page notes that some companies will help families with incomes (prior to expenses considerations) of up to $40,000/yr.
#3 -- One more thing about point one above -- find out contact information for your local NAMI affiliate. They might know more about the situation in Cleveland than anyone else out here in Babbleland.
#4 -- You don't mention if you're employed. In any event, I imagine that you don't have benefits (as opposed to staying with your father's plan because it is better). Looking at the information on the ADA, if you *do* get a job with benefits and your company's insurance denies you benefits, then *someone* would be in violation of the law. The ADA would require your employer to provide you with health benefits at par with those of your colleagues at your level. I don't know if your employer or the insurance company would be liable, but it does sound like someone would have to accommodate your needs.
I hope this all helps,
Bob
Posted by noa on September 26, 1999, at 20:42:46
In reply to Re: Health insurance~HELP!!, posted by Bob on September 26, 1999, at 18:49:38
Good advice, Bob.
It STINKS that they would disqualify you for having a preexisting condition, when youhave actually been on their insurance already. STINKS. This is the kind of thing to write to Hilary Clinton about, altho her ability to make any changes in insurance issues is long past... unless she wins in NY and ends up on the health committee.
Posted by Dee on September 27, 1999, at 14:26:03
In reply to Re: Health insurance~HELP!!, posted by noa on September 26, 1999, at 20:42:46
I live in New York City, w/o health insurance. I have been going on samples that my psychiatrist so generously stuffed my pockets with for short periods of time, and my therapist as well as my psychiatrist have assured me that I will continue to bee hooked up even if I have no $$ to pay. There are several possibilitirs, such as the pharmnaceutical companies supplying you with meds if you are unemployed, etc. Make sure that the your doctor, therapist etc. know what is going on, and how worried you are about it. Somehow things always work out - try not to worry too much.
PS. HMO's are the one thing closest to pure evil I can think of. And I am talking about my own experience (HIP)
Posted by Bob on September 27, 1999, at 17:16:00
In reply to Re: Health insurance~HELP!!, posted by Dee on September 27, 1999, at 14:26:03
> PS. HMO's are the one thing closest to pure evil I can think of. And I am talking about my own experience (HIP)
Geez-Louise! HIP?! I am *really* sorry to hear that, Dee. HIP makes Oxford look like the Red Cross.
Ouch,
Bob
Posted by Dee on September 28, 1999, at 10:00:08
In reply to Re: Health insurance~HELP!!, posted by Bob on September 27, 1999, at 17:16:00
You're right about that, Bob. As I wrote elsewhere, I think I am better off without coverage than having one with HIP. At least I don't have to go through the daily annoyance of waiting hours in the telephone, trying to get any kind of information (such as, why don't I have a PCP after a year w/HIP, and why cannot I make an appointment to see a doctor! And how come they don't kow I am covered by them, although my employer has been paying for me for a year... etc. etc. - I could go on and on.
One of the reasons that I went completely untreated for a year, was that HIP was unable to determine if I am entitled to see one of their physicians! By the time they finally acknowledged me, and sent me a plastic card so I could make an appointment, I had terminated my employment. (Due to the untreated anxiety attacks). HIP kindly called me and informed me that they have cancelled my appointment. I still keep that card, though - for four thousand dollars, it is the most expensive piece of plastic I will ever affaord.
Dee
Posted by Bob on September 28, 1999, at 13:44:34
In reply to Re: Health insurance~HELP!!, posted by Dee on September 28, 1999, at 10:00:08
Well, then, you could probably appreciate this one:
These three guys die in this tragic minivan accident ... next thing they know, there they are, still in their golf attire, bags on their shoulders, standing in front of the Pearly Gates. They all make to stroll right on in when up comes St. Peter with this really stern look. "Okay, why do any of you deserve to get into Heaven?" Pete points at one guy and says "You! How about it?" The first guy says, "Well, I'm this famous doctor and I invented the artifical hip joint. Now, millions of people who would have been stuck in wheelchairs are now able to walk because they had their hip joints replaced with my invention." Peter rubs his chin a minute, then says, "Yeah, that's pretty neat ... go ahead on in."
Then St. Peter looks at the next guy in line and asks him for his story. He says, "I was one of the best surgeons on the earth! I invented an artifical heart that lets people whose hearts have failed to continue living for years due to having my invention in their body." Pete thinks for a minute, and says, "Y'know, that's wonderful! Welcome! Come on in!"
St. Peter finally turns his gaze to the last man, and asks him, "So, what makes you so special?" To which the man replied, "Well! I'm the CEO of the largest Health Maintenance Organization in the world!" Pete scrathes his head a few seconds, then says, "You know, that is absolutely fabulous. You can stay three days."
Cheers,
Bob
Posted by Amanda on September 28, 1999, at 13:58:14
In reply to Re: Health insurance~HELP!!, posted by Dee on September 28, 1999, at 10:00:08
> You're right about that, Bob. As I wrote elsewhere, I think I am better off without coverage than having one with HIP. At least I don't have to go through the daily annoyance of waiting hours in the telephone, trying to get any kind of information (such as, why don't I have a PCP after a year w/HIP, and why cannot I make an appointment to see a doctor! And how come they don't kow I am covered by them, although my employer has been paying for me for a year... etc. etc. - I could go on and on.
> One of the reasons that I went completely untreated for a year, was that HIP was unable to determine if I am entitled to see one of their physicians! By the time they finally acknowledged me, and sent me a plastic card so I could make an appointment, I had terminated my employment. (Due to the untreated anxiety attacks). HIP kindly called me and informed me that they have cancelled my appointment. I still keep that card, though - for four thousand dollars, it is the most expensive piece of plastic I will ever affaord.
> DeeWOAH! That's horrible! I can relate though. I've had to quit several jobs over the years because of my panic disorder. It's really a debilitating condition. I know a lot of people with anxiety disorders that have destroyed their careers, college education, even just everyday living. My family told me to get in touch with the Ohio Attorney General and inform her of my HMO denial~I still have the paper work. Apparently it's illegal for an insurance company to do that. Here's something kind of scary~I was in training to work for AFLAC, which is a supplemental insurance co. Anyway, this required me to go to school. In one of the classes, the instructor flat out said ~"It's illegal for an insurance company to turn you down because of a preexisting contion. So what the insurance companies will do is not DENY your application, they will just send it through a network of paper work for years and years so they'll never have to pay for your treatment, because it a lose/lose situation with them. They just count on most people giving up, or just plain dying, depending on the severity of the preexisting condition". This is no BS either, I heard this first hand~Which made me quit the insurance business because it is basically evil. I'm not saying that everyone in the insurance business is evil, just the majority of them are, and the ones who aren't just turn their backs to the situation and let it go on, because they still get thier commision. Anyway, I also wanted to thank all of you who responded to thread. Thanks!!
Amanda
Posted by Dee on September 28, 1999, at 21:51:42
In reply to Re: Health insurance~HELP!!, posted by Amanda on September 28, 1999, at 13:58:14
Well, maybe that was what was going on with me... they didn't deny benefits - they just lost me until I was no longer eligible.
Posted by Noa on September 29, 1999, at 5:17:54
In reply to Re: Health insurance~HELP!!, posted by Dee on September 28, 1999, at 21:51:42
You all might be interested in the National Association of Mental Health Professionals and Consumers. Their web address is:
www.nomanagedcare.org
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