Where can hiv positive people look for individual health insurance?
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if you're hiv positive and are currently covered with an insurance policy, but will be changing jobs where group coverage is not an option, what are your options for health insurance? are hiv positive people stuck in their jobs for life just to keep insurance? from what i've found, public insurance benefits only apply when you're dirt poor and have no home.
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Answer:
You aren't stuck in your job, no. What you need to do is first make sure that your current group coverage is subject to COBRA. (Most are, but not all, so it's an important thing to verify.) If the group you're with now IS subject to COBRA, they'll have to offer you the option to keep your current coverage for up to 18 months. (You will have to pay 100% of the premiums and possibly also a 2% handling fee for the group to maintain you.) At the end of that 18 months, as long as you do not allow more than a 63 day lapse in coverage, you will be able to apply to any individual plan as a HIPAA eligible individual (meaning that you do NOT have to fill out the health history info; under Federal law, they are obligated to take you.) However, I will forewarn you that the rates you'll pay for the individual policy will be MUCH higher (possibly double) your group rates. (And you may not realize how much your current insurance actually costs, either, if your current employer is paying part of the premium.) This is because they presume that you do have some serious pre-existing conditions if you're applying under HIPAA (because you'd certainly take almost any other route if it were available to you.) So, to answer your question, as long as you follow the rules, you can't be turned down, but you'd better hope that the pay increase in the new job is significant to offset the additional expense.
chris_az... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source
Other answers
I hate to tell you, but once the new insurance finds out your screwed. No one will touch you for insurance. It is like my sister had cancer and no new policies can be written on her.
cappy
You may also check if your state offers a type of Insurance Pool. For people with pre-existing, hard to place issues. Texas does, but not sure of all states! I would definitely inquire about COBRA... The only thing... I took COBRA for my pregnancy and went from paying $50 a month for the family to $800 a month for just myself.... It's crazy expensive!!!
Misty L
No worries. As long as you move into your new position before your current coverage lapses (talk to your HR), or you bridge the gap with COBRA, your new employer's plan will cover you. The carrier does, however, have the right to rate the entire group upon policy renewal. If the new company is small enough that this has a significant effect on premium, your employer also has the right to require individual coverage for you. I'll caveat all this by saying that I generally don't deal in health insurance, although I am licensed. If anyone is more knowledgeable and can clarify, feel free with my apologies to the asker.
Rob D
When you don’t have money to get the care you need: http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc/ http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=18 http://www.hrsa.gov/help/default.htm http://www.thefrugallife.com/medicalalternative.html http://www.google.com/search?q=Free+Low+Cost+Medical+Health+Services+&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&start=10&sa=N How to apply for Medicaid or medicare http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidEligibility/ http://www.aarp.org/money/lowincomehelp/applying_for_medicaid.html This is about FREE hospitalization, if you need it http://www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/default.htm Hill Burton Hotline 1-800-638-0742 (1-800-492-0359 in Maryland) In 1946, Congress passed a law that gave hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities grants and loans for construction and modernization. In return, they agreed to provide a reasonable volume of services to persons unable to pay and to make their services available to all persons residing in the facility’s area. The program stopped providing funds in 1997, but about 300 health care facilities nationwide are still obligated to provide free or reduced-cost care. Steps to Apply for Hill-Burton Free or reduced-cost Care 1. Find the Hill-Burton obligated facility nearest you from the list of Hill-Burton obligated facilities. 2. Go to the facility's admissions or business office and ask for a copy of the Hill-Burton Individual Notice. The Individual Notice will tell you what income level makes you eligible for free or reduced-cost care, what services might be covered, and exactly where in the facility to apply. 3. Go to the office listed in the Individual Notice and say you want to apply for Hill-Burton free or reduced-cost care. You may need to fill out a form. 4. Gather any other required documents (such as a pay stub to prove income eligibility) and take or send them to the obligated facility. 5. If you are asked to apply for Medicaid, Medicare, or some other financial assistance program, you must do so. 6. When you return the completed application, ask for a Determination of Eligibility. Check the Individual Notice to see how much time the facility has before it must tell you whether or not you will receive free or reduced-cost care. More about Hill-Burton Free or Reduced-Cost Care You are eligible to apply for Hill-Burton free care if your income is at or below the current HHS Poverty Guidelines. You may be eligible for Hill-Burton reduced-cost care if your income is as much as two times (triple for nursing home care) the HHS Poverty Guidelines. Care at a Hill-Burton obligated facility is not automatically free or reduced-cost. You must apply at the admissions or business office at the obligated facility and be found eligible to receive free or reduced-cost care. You may apply before or after you receive care -- you may even apply after a bill has been sent to a collection agency. Some Hill-Burton facilities may use different eligibility standards and procedures. Hill-Burton facilities must post a sign in their admissions and business offices and emergency room that says: NOTICE - Medical Care for Those Who Cannot Afford to Pay, and they must provide you with a written Individual Notice that lists the types of services eligible for Hill-Burton free or reduced-cost care, what income level qualifies for free or reduced-cost care and how long the facility may take in determining an applicant's eligibility. Only facility costs are covered, not your private doctors' bills. Facilities may require you to provide documentation that verifies your eligibility, such as proof of income. Hill-Burton facilities must provide a specific amount of free or reduced cost care each year, but can stop once they have given that amount. Obligated facilities publish an Allocation Plan in the local newspaper each year. The Allocation Plan includes the income criteria and the types of services it intends to provide at no cost or below cost. It also specifies the amount of free or reduced cost services it will provide for the year. When you apply for Hill-Burton care, the obligated facility must provide you with a written statement that tells you what free or reduced-cost care services you will get or why you have been denied. The facility may deny your request if · Your income is more than the income specified in the Allocation Plan. · The facility has given out its required amount of free care as specified in its Allocation Plan. · The services you requested or received are not covered in the facility's Allocation Plan. · The services you requested or received are to be paid by a governmental program such as Medicare/Medicaid or insurance. · The facility asked you to apply for Medicare/Medicaid or other governmental program, and you did not. · You did not give the facility proof of your income, such as a pay stub. You may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if you believe you have been unfairly denied Hill-Burton free or reduced-cost care. Your complaint must be in writing and can be a letter that simply states the facts and dates concerning the complaint. You may call your local legal aid services for help in filing a complaint. Additional Public Benefits for Families Raising Children: · State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) · Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) · TANF-Child Only Grants · Medicaid for Children · Supplemental Security Income for Children http://www.ssa.gov/ Where can I go to get free or reduced-cost prenatal care? You can call this number if you need free birth control help, too! Women in every state can get help to pay for medical care during their pregnancies. This prenatal care can help you have a healthy baby. Every state in the United States has a program to help. Programs give medical care, information, advice and other services important for a healthy pregnancy. To find out about the program in your state: · Call 1-800-311-BABY (1-800-311-2229) This toll-free telephone number will connect you to the Health Department in your area code · For information in Spanish, call 1-800-504-7081 · Call or contact your local Health Department.
Jeanette
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