Health Insurance

[peregrin]

Has anyone successfully changed health insurance following their transplant? I'm told that with our shared pre-existing condition it's impossible.

[Jepsos]

I noticed your age. Are you on Medicare? If so, you may be able to change your supplemental (which covers 20%) during the Medicare open enrollment time.

[peregrin in reply to Jepsos]

Nope. I tried to change during open enrollment but was unable to do so.

[Darlenia]

Hi. Spoke to my hubby who works in the health insurance field. He said that when you first signed up for your supplemental, it was guaranteed issue. Knowing this, if you try to get another supplemental plan from another company, they can deny you or require "proof of insurability", Of course, a transplant doesn't help with that. The only exception may be the United supplemental plans. Those may be available to you since they have three tiers, rising in cost depending on health conditions. But you can also wait until open enrollment and search for a "Medicare Advantage Plan". These companies will have to accept you during open enrollment. But bear in mind that with these plans Medicare shuffles a big pile of money to them to take care of all your needs and largely steps away, so you have to be very aware of that company's terms of coverage and doctor networks. You're limited to the plan's hospitals, doctors, region. My hubby suggests you find a great insurance broker to help navigate your way through your specific situation. He added that all supplemental plans pretty provide similar coverages. He prefers Medicare (since it's federal and national in scope and accepted and recognized everywhere) with a good supplemental. Research the matter thoroughly.