POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Insurance, Benefits Programs & HIV => Topic started by: RobbyR on December 10, 2013, 03:45:16 pm
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2013 has not been my year, but perhaps it's ending on a somewhat hopeful note. This year has been full of ups & downs, mostly downs, a recent Bipolar diagnosis, & shortly after, was informed that my insurance company dropped me totally. I also lost my job due to a mental breakdown. After paying their ass on time for the last 5 years, bam, they drop me out of nowhere. For months, my monthly premiums had been steadily rising, from around 220 a month to now 280. Which is more than I can afford. No explanation for this of course, I call them & all I get is some double-speaking stooge from India who can't even speak clear English.
Doesn't ANYONE bother to hire English speakers anymore, especially for something so important as insurance? I have a hearing impairment anyway, and that makes it worse when I get someone I can barely understand.
But anyway, last month they dropped me. They claimed it was because I had not payed my full premium for the last two months, which was bullshit. I paid it in full for the last month before I was dropped, & I certainly never missed a payment.
I wonder if they dropped me due to my Bipolar diagnosis. Not sure. I don't think it was HIV-related, since my insurance plan far pre-dated my HIV diagnosis.
However, to make a long story short, after telling the social worker at my clinic about this, I am now enrolled in my state's affordable health care exchange program, yay!
Losing my private insurance wouldn't have impacted my HIV meds, because I got those through my state's ADAP program via my clinic. But still, everyone needs insurance in this day and age. At first I admit I was skeptical about Affordable Care Act, but after thinking it over, and especially seeing the prices, it was a no-brainer. I will be signing up for the Medicaid program first, because I am currently unemployed but in future, when I get another job, I may switch to a different plan under the program. the Republicans say often that there are no options for people under the new health care law, but this is not true! Most importantly, it keeps people from being discriminated against due to pre-conditions. This along with the low affordability was what got me to sign up for it. I just flat out don't trust private insurance companies anymore I think they are a big scam.
It just made sense to sign up. I mean, why would I pay close to 300 dollars a month to an insurance company when I can use that money for car payments, groceries, bills, & personal expenses. Now, on the Medicaid plan, through the Affordable Care Act, I will be able to have some peace of mind. Due to my mental problems & breakdowns this year, I have been unemployed for awhile, until I can get stable & my life on track again. Now that things are getting better for me a bit personally and financially, it just made sense for me to sign up for the exchange.
Why anyone would want to delve out hundreds of dollars a month to crooked insurance companies is beyond me, my only gripe is that I didn't ditch them sooner! It sure will make my life a lot easier. For the record, when I went to sign up, with the help of my social worker, I had no issue AT ALL on the website. It was easy as pie. Most of the bullshit about the site not working is nothing but Republican crap, because they only want rich people to have health care, and they certainly don't care about people with pre-existing conditions like myself.
So I urge anyone who hasn't yet explored the options to look into and sign up for the Affordable Care Act. It has taken a load off my mind knowing I won't have to worry about losing my insurance anymore due to my health & my status as an HIV positive, Bipolar gay male. This has been a hard year, but things are finally looking a bit better for me! Now to find a job, & I will really feel a lot better about things! 8)
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Too bad the forum doest have a 'Like' button. Congrats..it appears things may be turning around for you!!
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*like*
Great news Robby! :)
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Thanks guys, I have been in a dark place this year. I'm feeling hopeful now for the first time in ages, and more stable! More mentally stable than I have in ages, probably thanks to my doctors help. Knowing that I will have the affordable health care I have needed for so long is a big load off my mind.
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Doesn't ANYONE bother to hire English speakers anymore, especially for something so important as insurance? I have a hearing impairment anyway, and that makes it worse when I get someone I can barely understand.
you're not the only one my friend. Several family members and friends, all with hearing problems, all complain about trying to speak to anyone on any help line for just that reason.
I am so glad to hear that the ACA is helping you ;)
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Robby,
I am so glad to read that things are looking up for you.
I wish you all the best.
Sending you a "LIKE" and a HUG.