Health insurance question.

[leftyladyfrommo]

I posted about this yesterday but I just got the formal denial. I have a couple of questions.

This time United went back on my prescription record and asked about every prescription I had for the last five years. I had one for blood pressure - which I don't take anymore because my blood pressure just went back to being normal by itself. And about 4 years ago I got some anti-anxiety medication when I lost my job. (That was the kicker, I think. Don't know why anxiety is so feared by the insurance industry but it seems to be).

How can they do that? I never gave them permission to access those records.

My agent said he really thought this was all about my age - I'm over 60 and they don't want anyone that old. So they just go back and back until they can find some reason to deny the application.

I'm wondering if it would do any good to get in touch with my Senator's office. This is such blatant age discrimination.

I'm seriously bummed out.

[Glorfindel]

1. Insurance IS discrimination personified. They call it "risk management"

I know a gentleman whose Allstate auto insurance went up substantially when he turned 77, even though he had a perfect driving record.

[lillypaddle]

2. So sorry to hear you are going through this

Are you sure you didn't give them permission to access your medical records? Usually you have to sign off on the application itself, stating somewhere that permission is granted. Otherwise, I would think the doctors would be liable.

Good luck to you. Hope you can find something. It's scary being without health insurance.

[leftyladyfrommo]

3. I didn't sign anything at all.

I don't even know how they knew where to look. I had used at least two different pharmacies. I think there is some kind of database out there with all this info on it.

I don't think they ever contacted my doctor.

[elehhhhna]

9. Looks like a HIIPA violation. See an attorney if possible.

No signed release = no legal right to your records, period.

[Mimosa]

4. There is a database

And they will probably reject you just based on your age. It happened to me at age 55.

[leftyladyfrommo]

5. I just e-mailed Claire McCaskill

Let's see what kind of answer I get from her office.

I told her that I thought if she would mount a vigorous defense of older people in this country that she would access a whole legion of supporters.

So many of us out here. Can't find a job and can't find affordable health care.

Are we all just going to have to move to Mexico to retire?

[leftyladyfrommo]

6. So what did you do? n/t

[Mimosa]

10. One can't 'do' a thing, leftylady.

If an applicant is rejected from insurance they cite 2 or 3 reasons. In my partner's case, asthma. Asthma, even allergic asthma, easily treated, is a no no. Then high cholestrol, which nearly everybody over 50 has. Even treated, you can be turned down for having it.

In my case I have severe fibromyalgia. (My med prof buddy has diagnosed it as atypical MS because of spasmodic band type attacks and other symptoms.) The insurance we've applied to of course can see which doctors we've gone to (in my case neurologists) and even if you only tell them 4 of the medicines you take, the insurance companies (especially if you have an individual BC/BC policy) have a database revealing to all your prescriptions and samples and 'try out' meds, according to my med prof buddy. He once told me the names of the databases but I've forgotten.

Men between 55 and 65 they most don't want. And prople can keep trying all the companies and until 2014 there is NO WAY they are compelled to accept an applicant for any money.

Now, people can apply to those high risk pools offered through the state. In my case it's the state of GA. The deductible -before they'd pay a dime is $2,500. There are co-pays. The premium for people in my age group is $688 a month.

People who aren't poor enough for Medicaid and who are just barely hanging on are in serious trouble.

[frazzled]

7. This is why we needed the Affordable Care Act

Unfortunately, the provision that would prohibit your insurance company from denying your application for coverage won't be put into effect until January 1, 2014 (that's a little over three years from now). This has happened to so many people over 50 I know it isn't even funny.

Alas, it's too late for you, but it will protect untold numbers of others who find themselves in need of private health insurance in a few years, and had a bone density test once show up less than perfect.

[Divernan]

8. Which gives the GOP/Blue Dogs/Big Insurance over 3 years to change that provision

or, as Obama's administration has done on provisions coming into effect in 2011, issue "waivers" to 14+ insurance companies.

Legislation which delays benefits, is DENYING benefits. Bottom line, Big Insurance always wins; we always lose.

It's the same smoke and mirrors legislation as "temporarily" extending tax cuts to the top 2%. The ultra rich get their benefits this year - in hand. We plebians are expected to wait 3 years for a benefit which will likely be revoked before it ever goes into effect.

[Mimosa]

11. What if somebody has cancer, MS or heart problems during the next 3 years?

What if the Republicans make this BAD BILL even worse before 2014?

There are consequences to having passed a bill which was insufficient, which 'regular people' saw didn't benefit them. And the mandate enraged them.