JFP Needs Reader Health-care Stories

Bump. Bring it, folks. Be heard. We might even videotape you. ;-)

Grumps about getting insurance count? Or the fun of having to have a injury treated at a non-plan ER (because it was literally down the hall and across the street from the site of the injury) and the company saying "No."

Sounds good. ;-) Are you available for an interview, Pilgrim?

Since the story is my wife's and daughter's I'll ask my wife to tell the tale. Let me get back to you once I hear from them. BTW, already called her to ask.

I don't have any nightmare health care stories, and am very fortunate to have a good insurance company. However, a constant source of worry is the future health care for our children, and our daughter in particular.

She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on March 10, 2008. After 10 months of insulin injections and trying our best to figure this beast out, she is now on an insulin pump. Her blood glucose has improved so much since the pump.

I worry about her affording the insulin and supplies once she's off my insurance. The pump and initial supplies would have cost us over $6000 without insurance. A box of 4 vials of test strips run over $100. I worry about her future coverage: with a pre-existing condition, she could be paying a higher premium for her insurance, or even worse, denied altogether.

We all want so much better for our children than we had. What can you do to secure their future when you're so unsure about what that future will hold? I know someday I'll have to let her fly on her own, but will she be financially able to care for herself when the time comes?

Lady- some insurance companies will waive the pre-existing clause when you apply for insurance when you are already insured and/or are just changing companies,at least BCBS of Miss did for me.

Yeah, Bubba, I know. We were lucky because she was diagnosed with diabetes well after I started at my current job: we have BCBS as well, and they have been really good for us. Lots of companies will work with someone with a pre-existing condition: but lots won't.

One good thing about the current health care plan being bandied around Capitol Hill is that the insurance comapnies will not be able to discriminate (harsh word, but that's what they do) against people with pre-existing conditions. Plus I am desperately hoping for more funding for stem cell research: I believe that can lead to a cure for diabetes.