SCS & Pain Pumps For spinal cord stimulator (SCS) and pain pump discussions.


advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-11-2012, 10:01 PM #1
Rrae's Avatar
Rrae Rrae is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: i thought it was in my left pocket
Posts: 4,117
10 yr Member
Rrae Rrae is offline
Grand Magnate
Rrae's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: i thought it was in my left pocket
Posts: 4,117
10 yr Member
Question Would a new insurance deny battery replacement as 'pre-existing condition'

My first thought on this is yes they would deny....
Have any of you been faced with this, or know anything about it?

My current Ins is through my employer and the company pays the premiums (almost $700/mo!). Due to corporate greed, my company and my job may be desolving within a year or so and I would not be able to afford that kind of premium.
I don't want to have to feel 'stuck' with this Ins, but maybe I am. I hope I have a few yrs left with my battery life, but who knows. This is something I'll eventually have to face, be it next year or 5 yrs from now. Sure wouldn't want to be stuck paying for the whole thing out of pocket!

If anyone can chime in, I'd appreciate it

Rae
Rrae is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Mark56 (01-11-2012), ron h (01-14-2012)
Old 01-11-2012, 11:11 PM #2
Mark56's Avatar
Mark56 Mark56 is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Colorado, USA
Posts: 4,706
10 yr Member
Mark56 Mark56 is offline
Grand Magnate
Mark56's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Colorado, USA
Posts: 4,706
10 yr Member
Heart Insurance

Yo, Rae-

Under insurance portability acts both federally and in state laws, assuming you obtain insurance under a new employment if that occurs, pre-existing conditions should be waived. Were you not to find replacement work with benefits resulting in your purchase of insurance personally, take a look at any pre-existing condition issues with an agent BEFORE signing any paperwork.

I know I did read every single page of the Bama Care legislation, and I have had so MUCH contract language under the bridge since then I frankly have forgotten. I can take a look at the language again, as upon full implementation it is surely to have something to say on point.

If your workplace knew how very hard you work, they would never in a million years elect to separate you from employment.

Remember, if you are within an employee base of sufficient numbers, COBRA should be part of the picture enabling continuation of the coverage another 18 months.

ARGHHHHHHHH,
Mark56
Mark56 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
ron h (01-14-2012), Rrae (01-12-2012)
Old 01-12-2012, 12:56 AM #3
ElizaJane23 ElizaJane23 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Along the Cheasapeake Bay
Posts: 71
10 yr Member
ElizaJane23 ElizaJane23 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Along the Cheasapeake Bay
Posts: 71
10 yr Member
Default That's rough

Boy, serving on active duty then and being an Air Force wife for 20 years was rough: low pay, substandard housing, lot of travel to remote locations away from my daughter and I, but we loved it at the time and really didn't know how much civilian jobs paid, so we didn't know (a lot if the time) what we were missing. Military medicine does have it's disadvantages but I always know that we have it to fall back on. It definitely would be a source of comfort in a situation like yours. I hope it all works out for you!
ElizaJane23 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Mark56 (01-12-2012), ron h (01-14-2012), Rrae (01-12-2012)
Old 01-12-2012, 10:18 AM #4
fionab fionab is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 487
10 yr Member
fionab fionab is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 487
10 yr Member
Default

How about calling the ins. dept. of the company that made your implant (was it Boston Scientific??). They may have experience with this kind of thing because I'm sure you'd not be the only one to have to change jobs and then face needing a new battery implant. Just a thought! Sorry to hear about the possibility of having to find a new job...it's always something, isn't it...but then, it's always an opportunity for prayer and to watch God work things out!!
fionab is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
ElizaJane23 (01-14-2012), Mark56 (01-12-2012), ron h (01-14-2012), Rrae (01-12-2012)
Old 01-12-2012, 11:00 AM #5
JoanB's Avatar
JoanB JoanB is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 739
10 yr Member
JoanB JoanB is offline
Member
JoanB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 739
10 yr Member
Default Affordable Health Care Act "Obama Care"

Starting in 2014, insurers cannot deny benefits based on preexisting conditions. Unfortunately, this doesn`t help much right now. But it`s a good reason not to repeal it.
__________________
PPMS Rx 2013, symptoms since 2000
JoanB is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Mark56 (01-12-2012), ron h (01-14-2012), Rrae (01-12-2012)
Old 01-12-2012, 07:27 PM #6
Rrae's Avatar
Rrae Rrae is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: i thought it was in my left pocket
Posts: 4,117
10 yr Member
Rrae Rrae is offline
Grand Magnate
Rrae's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: i thought it was in my left pocket
Posts: 4,117
10 yr Member
Thumbs up Thanx my friends

Some very sound advice given here! You all rock

I'm only in year 2 of having my unit, so hopefully I've got several yrs left - without having to change the battery.

I like what Joan says regarding the Obama care. I hope it sticks. I can hold out til 2014 no problem! This would sure bring comfort in knowing this.......as long as the forces that be in government don't somehow screw this up.

Fiona has good point - check with Medtronic (in my case). They may have some hints.
Mark, thank you! If I'm face to face with a potential Ins agent and he says it would be covered.....I'd still need to get that down in writing, yes?

Wow, Eliza, I didn't know you were in the military.....no wonder you're so 'tough'

Last edited by Rrae; 01-12-2012 at 08:19 PM.
Rrae is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
ElizaJane23 (01-14-2012), Mark56 (01-12-2012), ron h (01-14-2012), stressedout (01-14-2012)
Old 01-12-2012, 07:45 PM #7
JoanB's Avatar
JoanB JoanB is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 739
10 yr Member
JoanB JoanB is offline
Member
JoanB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 739
10 yr Member
Default

Rrae, I would have given you this link earlier, but was at work and using my Kindle and it was too hard (I don't want them knowing my personal health business, so don't come here on their network):

http://www.healthcare.gov/law/resour...eexisting.html

There is also a type of insurance available now that people with pre-existing conditions can get, which looks like it would be a little less expensive than the premium you're looking at now:

http://www.healthcare.gov/law/featur....html#benefits

Hope this helps.
__________________
PPMS Rx 2013, symptoms since 2000
JoanB is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Mark56 (01-12-2012), ron h (01-14-2012), Rrae (01-12-2012), stressedout (01-14-2012)
Old 01-14-2012, 02:44 AM #8
ElizaJane23 ElizaJane23 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Along the Cheasapeake Bay
Posts: 71
10 yr Member
ElizaJane23 ElizaJane23 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Along the Cheasapeake Bay
Posts: 71
10 yr Member
Default Me Tough?

I don't know about me being tough. This fiesty Air Force staff sergeant crumpled like a big weenie my first spinal lumbar surgery. I had a c-section incision so they could move all my innards to each side to get to my lumbar spine. Then they gave me a big incision from my right hip to harvest bone and I got a bone infection from that. Man, was I sick and hurting, and I had to put on a custom made brace while still in bed so I could get out of bed and one of the bars laid right over that infected bone infection in my hip. Evidently I screamed when getting out of the hospital bed in our den for the first full month. That was 14 years ago and my 28-year old daughter is just starting to talk about how much that traumatized her. I know - we all have our horror stories about dealing with all we've had to go through. Amazing isn't it? We've made it - to a point where there is hope for a better tomorrow. Not pain free, but better than it was. We've survived. I think everyone here is a hero.
ElizaJane23 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
JoanB (01-16-2012), Mark56 (01-14-2012), ron h (01-14-2012), Rrae (01-14-2012)
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Fox awards grants for two existing drugs lurkingforacure Parkinson's Disease 0 01-12-2009 05:09 PM
Implanted Spinal Cord Stimulator - Battery Replacement seeker Spinal Disorders & Back Pain 1 02-23-2008 06:58 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:00 AM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.