Health Insurance Articles
Getting Health Insurance If You Have Had Cancer
2010-06-03
If you're the parent of a young driver, under age 25, you're all too familiar with the concept of high risk auto insurance. More than likely, you shopped around to compare costs, and probably dished more out of pocket for higher rates, but ultimately, they were covered.
The same concept can apply for high risk health insurance; particularly if you have had cancer.
A cancer diagnosis may immediately bring the term "medically uninsurable" to mind. Truth is, there are a number of options to help find coverage, including high risk health insurance quotes to get a handle on the dollars and cents.
Not exactly sure where to turn? Start where you are. This may be an ideal time to pull out your employee's handbook and review the health plan that you signed up for perhaps years ago. The information may not be an easy read, so jot down questions that you discuss with your company's representatives. Be candid with your feelings; go through your questions one by one so you don't get side tracked. Then consider writing down the responses to help recall later what you learned.
It is quite possible that pre-existing condition clauses will carry exclusions. There are a few alternatives you can consider to help fill those gaps.
Consider the pool. High risk health insurance pools, typically not a first choice for coverage, can often be overlooked. They are private, self-funded plans that can pick up related unmet expenses such as prescriptions, maternity, mental health, and disease management programs. There are strict eligibility guidelines, but upon approval, you will receive enrollment cards and can use benefits like any other health plan.
Don't go it alone. Reading and conducting research can take its toll. Consider healthcare advocates who can help make sense of it all. Many services are free and others come with membership and nominal fee. They can lend a hand with finding health plans, doctor referrals, insurance dispute resolution, hospice care, and even consolidating bills and forms.
Getting your financial house in order. It probably goes without saying that medical costs can put a huge dent in your family's budget. Once you have a handle on the right health plans, don't forget to leverage resources that can help manage costs. High risk health insurance quotes can connect you to top health insurance carriers that best fit your needs. If you prefer face-to-face contact, you can obtain quotes directly from licensed agents trained specifically in this area of expertise.
Grappling with health insurance is no easy task. And, if you've had cancer, it can be even more daunting. Fortunately, there are alternative resources that may help to provide just a bit of solace.
