health insurance. Not many twenty somethings even think twice about health insurance. You go to college, get a job and automatically get enrolled in health insurance and don't think twice. Once or twice a year you end up in the doctors, with a cough or the flu, but definitely under utilize insurance, and don't really understand how it works, or even care to know how it works.
My life is the complete opposite. I go to the doctor's about twice monthly. Between having a neurologist, rheumatologist, gastroenterologist, GP, gynecologist, and psychiatrist, I feel like I am swimming in a sea of physicians. Having both Crohn's and a TBI, its not that I have a love of physicians or healthcare, but its more that I cannot live a normal daily life, without being under medical supervision. I depend on medications to allow me to live a somewhat normal, productive life. I hate putting these things into my body, but at the same time, at the points that I have stopped taking all medication, I was forced to be bedridden, and never able to leave home. It is a double edge sword. I hate that I can't survive without medications, yet at this time in my life I need them to survive. With prescribed medications, most physicians require regular appointments to make sure that everything continues to work okay.
I do not think twice about scheduling doctor's visits, especially with my current insurance, with no co-pays for specialists, and a small minimum deductible for a family of 7. I have one of the best insurance plans out there, with no referrals, pre-certs or auths needed in order to utilize the health care. My insurance has not once denied any coverage, whether it be my three colonoscopies in 6 months or my 5000 dollars a month regimen of Crohn's medications. I am extremely thankful of how generous they have been.
What I do think about though, is that in a little under 23 months, I will lose my insurance. Going forward, I have two pre-existing conditions, which will turn my life around. Though in 2014, the US government will put into place further laws that hinder insurance companies for outright rejecting you from coverage, the laws do not strictly enforce price gorging that happens. Even with PCIP, Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan, which is a high risk pool set up, partially supported by the US Health Service, premiums and deductibles are outrageous, and quite possible of bankrupting those with severe illnesses. Once again a double edged sword. Like oh hey you can have health insurance, but let's charge you astronomical prices so you cannot actually utilize the services.
Though I currently do not have a full time job, even when I get one, I will most likely be rejected by their insurance company, regardless of the employer. I do not just have to worry about rent, car payment and car insurance, but the cost of health care. I've read countless stories of those who lose everything due to health issues. It scares the crap out of me.
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