Health Insurance Crisis (Advice Needed)

Tina Castle · 08-04-2009, 10:50 PM

Alright I'm starting college on Aug. 24th. I'm enrolled in 7 units and full time is 9 units or more last time I checked.

The problem is as of June 30, 2009 I no longer qualified for state insurance because I'm 21.

My second problem is I can't get onto my dad's work insurance (which would be $80.00 per month) unless I'm enrolled full time.

My third problem is I'm on academic probation 2 which is next to being dismissed because I haven't completed some percentage of the units that I've enrolled in (due to personal issues). Because of this its best I stay enrolled as a student who's enrolled 3/4ths of their time (if that makes sense) so that if I fail to complete units I won't be so heavily reprimanded with expulsion.

If I stay where I'm at now I'll be in college and receiving financial aid, but I won't be able to enroll as full time and receive medical insurance until February 2010.

I'm really not sure what to do. I've tried getting insurance on my own and was denied. I can't get on high risk insurance because they want me to pay $400.00 a month for it and I just don't have that type of money.

On top of having PCOS I'm asthmatic and my attacks seem to flare up around December to February. I have an inhaler, but what if it's a huge attack? I'll be SOL.

I'm not on meds for PCOS, but I'd like to get started on Metformin. I feel like I'm in a very tight situation with no really good options. I'm thinking of just adding another 2 units and being full time for insurance purposes.

Can anyone help me or give me some advice?

Oh and to add right now I'm just going to free clinics, but they cannot help me with bloodwork, ultra sounds (to check my cysts), or medications for PCOS. They only cover STD/HIV testing, birth control, and pre-natal care (yea if I was pregnant none of this would be an issue because I'd qualify for state insurance again).

So basically I need insurance to even get treated at the free clinics. This is a freaking bust.

unctoothlady · 08-04-2009, 11:44 PM

Does your college not provide healthcare at the Student Health Services? If so, you could just use that until Feb. Its usually very cheap too.

Tina Castle · 08-05-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unctoothlady

Does your college not provide healthcare at the Student Health Services? If so, you could just use that until Feb. Its usually very cheap too.

So my college offers health insurance, but this is what it says for it's exclusions and limitations clause for infertility treatments:

Expense for the contraceptive methods; devices or aids; and charges for or
related to artificial insemination; in vitro fertilization; or embryo transfer
procedures; elective sterilization or its reversal or elective abortion unless

specifically provided for in this Policy.

https://studentinsurance.wellsfargo....ocumentid=2066

Does this mean Metformin wouldn't be covered? There's another plan (not this one) that specifically states that Clomid isn't covered and neither is treatment for Hirsutism (which I have).

Good greif most of these insurance companies are NOT PCOS friendly at all.

charisse** · 08-05-2009, 05:28 PM

Metformin would be covered only because it is not a fertility drug. Glucophage or Met is primarily used for diabetics and just happens to work for PCOS. I would get the Ins. from your school if it is within your means of $$... Or if you think you can for sure handle a full load then I would do it.
I know its a tough call but maybe just that quarter you take full time to get on your dads policy, then winter or spring get back on state medical.
Sorry, I know it sucks I also work full time and go to school 3/4 time at night and have my 7 year old..ugh !! But it can be done if you buckle down and just do it, get help with what ever class you can.. ( tutor at school or find a class buddy to study with just dont get back on probation.. ( Math got me in to probation too..LOL ) Good Luck !!

mzamethystcrow · 08-05-2009, 05:36 PM

Tina, is your college on the quarter system or the semester system? As far as I know, at least in VA, NC, and CO Full-time is considered 12.0 credit hours. So, I would double check that, first.

Secondly, it sounds like your best option is to do full-time, just so you would qualify for health insurance under your dad's plan. If 9.0 credits is full-time for you, then I'd register for another class, but perhaps one that is relatively "easy" or a filler class that you might need (or, even if you don't, take it anyway).

Metformin is not considered an infertility drug, so you should be good. Plus, it's only $4 at Walmart, so if you can get the perscription go for it! Good luck and let us know what you decide! :-)

unctoothlady · 08-05-2009, 08:14 PM

I was going to say the same as the ladies above have said. Met is VERY cheap. So you should be fine.

Katy · 08-07-2009, 07:41 PM

Metformin is very cheap. I have no job or insurance so I was scared to go on it before I found a job until my doctor said it was only 4 dollars a month at Walmart. If you already have an established pcp an office visit may not be that much. I only paid 67 dollars to see my regular doctor to have prescriptions written for metformin and prozac. Since you say in your signature that they have already said you are possibly prediabetic getting a metformin prescription should not be a problem.

I found the "free" and low income clinics are not helpful at all and still wanted me to pay full fee which is 150 dollars despite my having no income because I moved in with relatives.

If your college has affordable student healthcare go for it.

jenstew84 · 08-07-2009, 08:56 PM

Both Target and Walmart also have $4 prescription drug programs. I get mine at Target for $4/month. I've also heard of some pharmacies that will match that price.