Help! im moving to the USA, and need insurance advice

snowhard · March 14, 2007

Hello,

I'm moving to the United States next year, either Florida, California, or NY. Recently, I've been really nervous about not being able to get health insurance.

I'm 26 years old, and had the lap band 3 years ago. I now have a 29 BMI, and I have had no complications from the band.

I plan on working for a company that offers I'm sure offers health insurance for their employees. But lately, I have been really nervous that somehow they won't want to cover me because I had this surgery.

Can anyone shed light on whether or not I could get insurance as an individual? If I work for a company, is the insurance company still allowed to exclude me?

Thank you for your help, Im sooo nervous about it.

Alexandra · March 14, 2007

Hi Snowhard,

If you're coming on to your group's medical plan, in most states you can't be excluded because of your health condition. I know that's the case in NY, at least. Is the company you're coming on to a large company (i.e., is it self-funded)? If it's a huge corporation that covers itself, it is responsible for making all the coverage decisions. If they want you, you're in.

Betsyjane · March 14, 2007

Call the company personnel dept and ask if they have group coverage. I'm covered under my husband's group insurance and have so many things wrong with me they probably hated to see me coming. but they couldn't refuse me or cover me at a different rate....