Re: Health insurance question

[Guest guest]

Becky:

Are you aware that all people with CMT are eligible for Medicare and you can

apply for a Medicare Advantage Plan. It pays for all doctors, prescriptions,

just like if you bought private insurance. The monthly premium varies and plan

varies depending on where you live in the United States. The amount at times

can be $0 and much lower then $350 a month. You need to register, starting

November 15, 2008. I have never had an issue with a pre-existing disorder. I

think now there is a law now for that.

Marin from Bridgeport, CT

Health insurance question

Hey folks, I've got a big decision concerning my health insurance, and I'm

hoping for advice.

I am 26 and generally very healthy, although I do have CMT Type 2. I

am a graduate student and have had great insurance through the

University where I was employed as a teaching assistant. This year I

left my job at the university to travel to New Zealand and do some

research. While I'm here I only have travel insurance since my visa

status qualifies me for New Zealand's national healthcare plan.

I wasn't planning on continuing any COBRA of my previous insurance, but

the papers just arrived today and once I read them I started to have

second thoughts. The cost is quite high ($325/month), but I could pay

for it if I absolutely had to. It would just be a squeeze. I won't

really have any coverage while I'm in NZ anyway, because my plan only

covered care within the US. BUT my concern is that if I don't COBRA I

could have trouble getting insurance later because of CMT as a

pre-existing condition.

Help! Any advice? I plan to return to employment at the university

next year, but if I don't COBRA I'm afraid that I could lose access to

their insurance plan. I don't know what to do!

Becky

[Guest guest]

Becky:

I would call your health insurance companies in your area and find the best

policy you can afford. Explain to them what your concerns are and what you can

afford. Most companies do work with you about your benefits you will need and

they may also ask you if you would like a small deductable or higher one. The

bottom line will be what you can afford.

Good Luck

Mark 

[Guest guest]

Medicare will not cover anyone who is traveling/staying in a country

other than the USA.

[Guest guest]

Becky,

Depending on how long you'll be residing in NZ, my thoughts are to

possibly change your Visa status, or are you connected with a

University there while doing your research? You may be eligible for

temporary student/researcher insurance there.

If I was in this situation, I would continue your Cobra payments. CMT

notwithstanding, it may be difficult to re-establish when you return to the USA.

Hope you are able to enjoy the beauty of the country while you're

there. To me, NZ is 'heaven on earth'.

Gretchen

>

> Hey folks,  I've got a big decision concerning my health insurance,

and I'm hoping for advice.

>

>

>

> I am 26 and generally very healthy, although I do have CMT Type 2. 

I

> am a graduate student and have had great insurance through the

> University where I was employed as a teaching assistant.  This year

I

> left my job at the university to travel to New Zealand and do some

> research.  While I'm here I only have travel insurance since my visa

> status qualifies me for New Zealand's national healthcare plan. 

>

>

>

> I wasn't planning on continuing any COBRA of my previous insurance,

but

> the papers just arrived today and once I read them I started to have

> second thoughts.  The cost is quite high ($325/month), but I could

pay

> for it if I absolutely had to.  It would just be a squeeze.  I won't

> really have any coverage while I'm in NZ anyway, because my plan

only

> covered care within the US.  BUT my concern is that if I don't

COBRA I

> could have trouble getting insurance later because of CMT as a

> pre-existing condition.

>

>

>

> Help!  Any advice?  I plan to return to employment at the university

> next year, but if I don't COBRA I'm afraid that I could lose access

to

> their insurance plan.  I don't know what to do!

>

>

>

> Becky

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

:

You wrote: " all people with CMT are eligible for Medicare. " Is this true even

if we are still able to work? Where can I get more information about this?

J. Warren

[Guest guest]

,

If a person has SSDI because of their CMT, then they also have

Medicare benefits, although there is a 2 year wait for it after SSDI begins. For

all the info on Medicare see http://www.medicare.gov/

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

:

Of course, Medicare looks at your disability and financial needs, not if you

work. The way I received Medicare was being on Medicaid for 24 months. This

was how it was done in 2004. So call Medicare to see how you can apply now, by

calling 1-800-633-4227.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Are you saying that you can get it (Medicare) if you been diagnosed with CMT but

aren't considered disabled? I ask as my son has CMT and he currently doesn't

have health insurance and can't be on mine as he is 19 and not a full time

student. If so, what specifically do I need to do to register him?

Thanks!

Carmella