insurance help needed

March 12, 2005

My insurance thru the workplace does not cover for my wife. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Alexandra · March 12, 2005

Hi Dave and Bev,

That's a very broad question. In most workplaces there is the option to cover dependents if you have no other coverage. Can you add her to your policy, even if you have to pay the difference in premium?

Talk to your employer to explore your options. If your employer has prohibited ANY coverage for dependents, for ALL employees, then you can probably buy an individual policy for her. But I'd bet that there's likely a way to get her on your own policy, even if you have to wait until open enrollment to do it. (That's a time, usually once per year, when employees are given the chance to make changes to their coverages. You should be able to add dependents then.)

March 13, 2005

Thanks Alex,

Maybe I wasn't very clear. My wife is on my insurance, but they don't cover the operation. What I would like to do is find an insurance company that would cover it and purchase insurance for her.

Dave

BigT · March 13, 2005

Dave,

That is a hard thing to do. Often when you purchase individual insurance you are excluded for prexisting conditions. I know when I tried to get different insurance,being self employeed, that no one would take me because of my weight. So I basically have had my same insurance for the last 10 years. If what you are saying is possible often the super high premiums make it unaffordable, otherwise everyone would be doing what you want to do-get coverage for a pre-existing condition covered on a new policy. In 3 years of active looking for insurance-I never got accepted for new insurance due to my weight-- and by the way in the 10 years of health insurance coverage I used my coverage NEVER, ZILTCH, NADA. So I should of been an excellent candidate for a new company--but such is life in the world we know.

T

Debbydo · March 13, 2005

Hi - did the insurance company pay for yours???

BigT · March 13, 2005

Hi - did the insurance company pay for yours???

If you are talking to me, No mine did not. I did self pay in MI with Dr. Pleatman.

T

Alexandra · March 13, 2005

Thanks Alex,
Maybe I wasn't very clear. My wife is on my insurance, but they don't cover the operation. What I would like to do is find an insurance company that would cover it and purchase insurance for her.

Dave

Oh, I see. Well, depending on where you live you may or may not have any options. In my state, for example, your wife wouldn't be permitted to buy individual insurance because she is eligible for coverage under your group plan. Laws vary considerably from state to state, so it's very hard for us to advise at all.

I suggest calling a broker licensed in your state and asking about your options. Fighting your current insurer may be easier than you think, too, depending on the reasons they say they don't cover the operation.