insurance...

[afortie1]

I have had psoriasis since I was 10 years old. I just turned 23 on the 20th and even though I'm still a student I don't qualify under my step dad's health plan anymore through work. I applied for a individual plan through the same company I have been with for almost 3 years though his company and yesterday I got a letter in the mail saying I was denied because I am part of a high risk pool of people and something else about me being uninsurable. I have had health insurance since I was a baby for the whole entire time with no break in between and my only condition is psoriasis. I am so upset over this...I feel rejected BIG TIME! I'm in the middle of UVB therapy and will have to stop now. Do you have an personal experience with this kind of thing? Do you know of a provider I might look into? Is there any provider who accepts people who have psoriasis?????

[MikeK]

Hi Afortie1,

I'm so sorry. :( :mad: Find out if it's possible to appeal the decision. Also, call the NPF on Monday. They have an insurance advocacy service that will try to help you. Here's a link to their description of their service: http://www.psoriasis.org/medical/advocacy/ and here's their contact info:

National Psoriasis Foundation
6600 SW 92nd Ave., Suite 300
Portland, OR 97223-7195
Phone: 503.244.7404 OR 800.723.9166
Fax: 503.245-0626
E-mail: getinfo@psoriasis.org

Their regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

You also might want to call you state's insuance department or commission. Their contact info should be in the phone book and on you state's "official" website. I live in New Jersey, here's a link to our "official" website so that you'll know what to look for: http://www.state.nj.us/ (I have it book marked, but I was able to find it by doing a Google search for "New Jersey official website"

Hang in there! Good luck and please keep us posted.

Mike

[makeitgoaway]

I thought the new HIPAA laws did away with that sort of thing.

[afortie1]

Thanks Mike! I'm trying to deal with this. Getting that letter really made me feel bad about myself like no one wants me because I'm all diseased. I already have issues with my self confidence due to P this just adds to it. My bf has been very supportive and says I shouldn't feel this way or take it personally, that's just how insurance companies are. They just want to make a profit and if they have to spend money on you they are not going to make as much so why would they accept you. Still hard to take. As far as HIPPA ...well they said I can get insurance through them at the high risk rate which is almost 400$ a month now. When I'm 50 if I still have to get this HR rate because no one will accept me I would be paying over 700$ month for just me to be insured! What happens when I have children and a family! That just boggles my mind.... Sorry I sound so helpless and upset. I just need some direction from ppl. who have gone through this. Thank you for the support.

A.