As many of you know, I have Celiac Disease (aka celiac sprue, gluten intolerance), which means that I am on a gluten-free diet. My condition is controlled solely through diet, with no medications or other interventions. So imagine my surprise when I was recently denied for a new health insurance policy we applied for (Farmer's Bureau/TRH). Now, the really annoying part is that this policy is our dream health insurance: a family policy with a maternity rider and dental insurance for nearly $400 less per month than what we're paying right now. The big cost discrepancy is a mixture of this company being a really good deal and the fact that we've been overpaying by dealing directly with Blue Cross Blue Shield.
I was SO excited to be cutting out $400 off of a fixed expenditure, and I'm still reeling a bit from being denied. Unfortunately, since I was denied b/c of Celiac, we also do not get the maternity coverage b/c that coverage lies with me. The whole reason we starting shopping around was b/c maternity riders are SO expensive -- my insurance alone currently costs $400/month. Ughhh.
I'd be fine with a normal policy that excludes anything celiac related, as long as it included a maternity rider and normal co-pay stuff. But they don't do that. They do have a "defined benefit" package that would exclude celiac, but that is $500/month and doesn't have maternity coverage -- it's more for people who are uninsurable b/c of big medical costs. That's not me!
The whole denial thing makes me mad and sort of insulted. I mean, I'm perfectly healthy other than celiac, and that is not going to cost the insurer one cent. I don't go to the doctor for this, I don't have any prescriptions...I just eat gluten-free food! I think being denied makes me feel weird b/c it's like they've decided I'm sick or something...but I'm not!! Part of me wants to go all-out and try to drum up some sort of reaction from the celiac community (I'm a member of a bunch of discussion groups), but then there's another part of me that knows that it's Farm Bureau's right to deny me. They don't owe me insurance, and they get to decide who they insure. But...it's just not fair! :-)
Well, anyway. If anyone has any ideas for companies to try or advice that could help, please leave a comment or email me. I'm kind of at my wit's end. Grrrr.
One of my friends made a comment today about how everything in my life sounds so perfect on my blog, so I wanted to be open enough to share something that's really discouraging me right now. Thanks for reading, everyone! Love, Jenn
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4 comments:
Hey Jenn,
I completely understand. My parents have for the better part of their lives been self employed, so they work out their own insurance. Well, once my mom applied for insurance and mentioned that my brother went skydiving on his 18th birthday...bam! No insurance. It's amazing what we reveal has such a powerful effect...
Then my insurance story. Geico auto insurance DROPPED me after 2 minor incidents. I had been a faithful paying member for 3 years!! Oh, I was HOT!!! I am part of the 4% that little Gecko is always talking about that is unsatisified with Geico. sigh.
Thanks for sharing your trouble. I hope you find an insurance company very soon. On the bright side, when you're done having babies, you won't need the maternity rider!! Of course I'm sure that won't be for a while. :-)
Hey Hon. Sorry for the hassle! I will just say that I've been in the same boat - only because of Kidney stones. The weird thing is, though, they agreed to insure me and exclude anything related to my kidneys. Hmm. Odd. Anyway, do you HAVE to disclose your celiac related condition? I mean, you don't seek medical treatment for it, so why would it be a "condition" at all? Just curious. I had to disclose my kidney stones because I've been admitted twice to the hospital and insurance companies have access to all that info for up to 10 years. I know that researching insurance can be annoying. My sister and bro-in-law pay for their own insurance too...and it's just plain expensive. I'll be praying that JUST the right thing comes along for one of my favorite families :) Love you MUCH and want to see you soon!
I'm not insured, either. And it's a wee bit scary some days. I wish I could offer some advice. But I'm in the same boat! ;-)
Hang in there! And be well.
I understand your pain.. When I quit working we had to pay $800 a month for me and Kaylie. That hurts! By the way - I LOVE the pics of the kids! I wish we could borrow some hair from Laney.. It'll be a while before we can get bows to actually stay!! Is Laney crawling yet? Kaylie doesn't seem to be extremely motivated yet. Rolling is enough for her it seems. Oh well! Hope you are having a great week!!
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