I think it may vary from state to state, but very often when someone
receive health insurance as an employee benefit, pre-existing conditions
are covered. Sometimes, in employer-provided HMO plans, pre-existing
conditions are covered immediately; in employer-provided non-HMO plans,
there may be a waiting period for pre-existing conditions, such as a
year.
A good source of information on the rules in the state where your
daughter plans to work is to contact the State Insurance Commission. Of
course, the rules for applying for non-employee sponsored private
individual health insurance are entirely different. Some states offer a
high risk pool for people considered uninsurable. Again, the State
Insurance Commission may know about this.
Also, I think President Clinton recently enacted a health insurance
portability law, that a person cannot be denied insurance coverage, as
long as there has been no lapse in coverage. I'm not sure where to find
info on this and have heard that premiums can be quite pricey.
Another short-term option for your daughter, when she is no longer
eligible for family coverage, is to ask your health insurer if she is
eligible for COBRA, which is usually 18 months. COBRA may apply if the
current family coverage is provided through an employer. If so, you
could ask the employer if a dependent is eligible for COBRA, when she
completes school, turns 22, or gets a job. You could probably ask the
employer this question without providing any of the medical specifics
about your daughter. Good luck, Elaine
Stacey wrote:
> I am hoping someone can give me information, or tell me how to find out about
> my situation.
> My daughter was first diagnosed with TM in April 98, after several relapses,
> numerous tests, etc, she is now being treated for Devics disease (a form of
> MS). She has just started Avonex. She just turned 18, is starting college so
> our family health insurance covers her as long as she is a student. My
> concern is that when she graduates, or if she decides to quit college, what
> can she do? She will no longer be considered a dependant, we have been told
> by sources that are probably not as informed as they think they are, that she
> is uninsurable. Our situation cannot be that unique. What does a person do?
> If/when she takes a job, could the health insurance provider exclude her? I
> would appreciate any advice on this.
>