Heath Insurance Question... Pre-Existing Conditions and Self Employment?

Question

Okay... here's the deal.

I'm 24 years old and have three pre-exisiting conditions.
1.) Hepatits C, diagnosed in 2000.
2.) Bipolar Disorder, diagnosed in 2005 (w/ two inpatient hospitalizations).
3.) Atrial Septal Aneryusm (Congential Heart Defect), Diagnosed in 2002.

Plus, I have a family history of heart attacks and cancer. (My parents died of each.)

I make in excess of $100,000, am self-employed and live in Texas.

I know my only option is Private Insurance, but nobody will cover me that I've looked into thus far.

I'm pretty sure it's going to be impossible to get coverage for myself, but being as I'm expecting a baby in December and have a six year old child, is there any way I could get somekind of coverage for them at least?

If so, how would I go about this? What steps need to be taken? Is there any chance I can get some kind of prescription coverage for just myself? (My meds are over $2k/month - no prev. coverage.)

Any help or insight is appreciated!!!

Answer 1

Texas has a special insurance for people that have been refused coverage. You need to have documentation that you have been refused (which sounds pretty easy to get in your case!). Here's the info:

Answer 2

Unfortunately, recent legislation has removed your children from medical help, because of your financial status. But, because of your health problems, I am not sure you and them wouldn't qualify for Medicaid. I would make some calls about that, if I were you.

You sound like an exemplary person. To work at your own business despite the host of health problems that you have and make a financial success of your life shows that you have both courage and talent.

I think you should get on that phone and call insurance agents, one after another, until you find some answers. You may find a company willing to offer you some kind of coverage. With those prescriptions, I hate to recommend Walmart, but I understand they are being very helpful with prescription costs right now. Anything is worth a try!

Answer 3

There are government programs that are run just like group plans that cover people who cannot otherwise be covered. One example here is the CHIP program.

I would think you should be able to get coverage for just the children no problem.

The other possibility is to become an S-corp and get group health insurance for your company. In some states you have to have a minimum of two employees, though, to get group coverage.

Answer 4

You could ask your local government agency if they have any suggestions, I live in NY, and we have this program called Healthy NY, so you could try looking up that way.