Sorry Guys, this is the system you have chosen. All is great (if you have money). Health Care is no longer a service but a business and human life has a money value, your political system never had any interested in changing things and people in the us, too scared by media about a socialist/communist turn never had the brave to ask loudly to the congress. That's it, you no longer have a health insurance, you need to find another one and because of a stupid questionnaire you were refused. Did they, at least, visited you? i doubt, 10 questions to decide what will be of your life. Pontentially unprofitable? bye bye.
I wish you won't have any health problem until you find any company covering you.
I'm Italian, there are many problems in my country, but i'm proud that health care is offered by the state and you pay a fee compared to your yearly income. If you're poor, you do not pay. This is a fair system and we are not a communist dictatorship.
I wish you guys in "great" america will start think better and to claim from your politicians a more fair system.
Regards
joannaholsten
· 2 months ago
In a few months I will be doing a similar search. After reading about the infamous public option, I realize that this policy would actually help me! Consider reading about it and telling us what you think.
"If you’re in the military or a veteran or poor enough for Medicaid or old enough for Social Security or get health insurance through your employer, the public option has nothing to do with you. But for the minority of Americans who are currently uninsured, or who buy insurance on the individual market, it could make a big difference. All the different Democratic proposals agree that such people should be helped through the creation of a regulated health-insurance exchange. The exchange will function, essentially, as one giant risk pool (just as the employees at a company form a risk pool) which should bring premiums down, on average. But to make this work, it’s vital that everyone participates. Otherwise, people with below-average health needs will drop out, and premiums will skyrocket. Thus there will be a mandate that everyone who doesn’t already have coverage buy some. And, in turn, there will be subsidies to ensure that coverage is affordable." Matthew Yglesias http://tiny.cc/4u7Ym
ToddRuehmer
· 2 months ago
I can't believe this, yet some somehow I can. Maybe one day these companies will be eligible for us.
roundlay
· 2 months ago
Gosh, that sucks. The American health system really needs to get it's act together.
chanux
· 2 months ago
Apparently heath is so hard out there in US :).
hazel swayne
· 2 months ago
Will this country ever have universal insurance??? This is completely and utterly unacceptable! My baby had inguinal hernias, and while in the OR they discovered a second one, so my "insurance" didn't cover for one, because it wasn't pre-approved!
in-surance, should insure peace of mind, instead it assures heartburn or even an ulcer.
That sucks. I've heard mixed things about Anthem, as compared to other health insurance companies. (Of course they absolutely suck, but to me their relative suckage is in question.) I hope you can get it all sorted out!
Matt Convente
· 2 months ago
This is an absolute shame and tragedy. I will soon share your search, as I turn 23 in December and will henceforth be uninsured. My mom lost her job so we're currently on COBRA, which is an extension of her employee healthcare plan except we have to pay 100% of the premiums (whereas before her company would pay some of the share).
I don't know your level of political involvement, but I am asking permission to share your story on a political blog called DailyKos (http://www.dailykos.com). DailyKos is a progressive blog, and its members routinely report on the absolutely ridiculous pre-existing condition. There have been confirmed reports of health insurance companies treating rape, domestic violence, and pregnancy as pre-exisiting conditions. While heartburn can never be compared to rape and domestic violence, it is certainly as ridiculous. Please let me share your story so we can get the healthcare we deserve.
Amit
· 2 months ago
The question is do you really want to be insured by a company like this. I suspect if you have a problem in a couple of months, they'll try to blame you for lying on your application about a pre-existing condition
Jarryd
· 2 months ago
I'm having a hard time getting health insurance, but that's because I have a congenital disorder (Meckel's Diverticulum). It's nothing too major, but my health insurer is having a sad about it. -_-
M S
· 2 months ago
I'd suggest you to call and complain. It looks like an auto-fail response.
As you state on your suggestion 'frequent' is the key qualifier there. Interestingly they use it on 'Persistent and/or intense pain'.
I work for a health insurance company (I know... just shoot me) and we recently released an online application for individuals. It is just amazing what you find out when working on the other side of the app... they are pretty much setting you for failure.
I am waay lucky to be on a group insurance plan (through my own employer), but after working on the 'decision matrix' for auto-fails your jaw would drop so badly... well, actually maybe it wouldn't drop lower than when you received such denial letter.
Issues like stupid measures like BMI, and other ridiculous things (like heartburn) are the culprit of such a shitty health system.
gianteye
· 2 months ago
I'm just amazed that with all the song and dance there is around insurance at the moment there isn't a word being said about insurance reform. Housing providers that were as capricious with their services would be pretty suspect, but for some reason its alright for an insurance company to only insure people who are guaranteed to be healthy for a prolonged period of time. Honestly, what's the point in even having insurance providers if the service they provide is only ever actually used in minor ways that don't recoup the cost of the plan (checkups and the like) or the rare serious injury or undiagnosed condition?
What use is insurance to the healthy? It's like hurricane insurance for your Montana bungalow.
The Dreaded Mr Pants
· 2 months ago
Insurance is the only product in the world you're told you must have but may not be eligible for because you may need it someday. If you do use it you're penalized by having your rates jacked up or you're dropped entirely.
Insurance is for property - health care is for people. Sorry you have to deal with that shit in the US. Profits before people I guess.
Ron
· 2 months ago
I have self-employed health insurance from Anthem BC too and I am scared shitless of ever going to the doctor for fear they will deny me if the doc finds anything at a checkup.
Our healthcare system is ludicrous
drhowarddrfine
· 2 months ago
Same thing happened to me. I went to a doctor to talk about a nasal problem and he noticed my throat was inflamed. He prescribed a stomach acid reducer to see if that made it go away. The insurance screener accused me of having an ulcer and wouldn't insure us. (We were looking around for another carrier to reduce our rates.)
Sachin Agarwal
· 2 months ago
This is why I tell startup founders to really think hard about Massachusetts - they can't pull this shit there.
Pierre Bastien
· 2 months ago
Interesting point - never thought about it that way.
Jill
· 2 months ago
I received a denial letter from IHC that listed things like acne and fatigue. Granted, I also have depression, so I wasn't expecting an acceptance letter anyway, but why list acne and fatigue as reasons for being uninsurable? It seems excessively douchy to me.
And you're right...Anthem's website really is trying too hard. Trying and failing.
A.J. Kandy
· 2 months ago
The Daily Show did a wonderful mock-interview with them which made fun of Tonik's "extreme" youth-oriented branding, when it launched a few years ago. http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-august-23...
Honestly, this is why the US needs a public option, or preferably, a proper single-payer system. Takes a great burden off us Canadian freelancer / entrepreneurs, lemme tell ya.
Phil Stephens
· 2 months ago
It's amazing that they list 'heartburn' and 'paralysis' in the same list. For all the bad press that the National Health Service gets over here in the UK, at least we don't have to put up with this kind of nonsense - I'm very sorry that you guys do.
GuyP
· 2 months ago
Also bad - being denied health insurance because you got raped.
After a similar rejection, I was able to get coverage by going through an insurance agent. Google for one that operates in your state. Meanwhile, all of the reform bills currently in Congress would prohibit this kind of discrimination, although even if one passes, it won't take effect for a few years.
Name
· 2 months ago
Coming from a European country I'm really amazed about Americans arguing about a health system for everyone. Next thing to come is to decide who exactly is worth living, right?
amymahon
· 2 months ago
Anddddddd once again thankful I was born in Canada / am living in the UK...
Pete Michaud
· 2 months ago
I was denied because my wife mentioned I was getting a root canal in the next few days. Insanity.
AK47
· 2 months ago
Tonik denied me too, for admitting a smoked marijuana. fuckers.
dots
· 2 months ago
Myself and few other friends have had lots of luck with getting individual coverage. I went from having a HMO when I worked at a company to a individual PPO plan. I personally, prefer the PPO over the HMO simply because I don't have to get referrals when I need to get a test or see a specialist—the doctor takes care of it, or I just show up, and tell them who my primary doctor is.
I do admit that I had a not so great experience the first couple months I was on the plan. For the very first time, I was diagnosed as having acne. I guess you could say I was blessed for never having this problem until the age of 26. A month after I started very basic treatment (diagnosis by the dermatologist and was given a prescription), my insurance accused me of having acne as a preexisting condition, and refused to pay for my doctor's visit (but I still got my medicine at a discount). Thankfully, I was a with a great doctor who was on my side, and had the money to cover myself for the time being. However, I spent about 2 months fighting the case with my health insurance company. I spent numerous hours on the phone with these people! I was able to prove that I never had a preexisting condition and that I had never had a lapse in coverage. Still, I'm horrified that a perfectly healthy person like myself, was questioned for something as typical as acne.
My word of advice to anyone who wants to switch over from COBRA to individual coverage is to stay on COBRA until you are completely signed up with your individual coverage, and makes sure you have that piece of paper from where you worked and/or from cobra that says the date and length of your coverage — it will save you HOURS of being on the phone, requesting copies of this. I also suggest making copies of these and leaving a set at your parents/family's house (in case you ever loose them).
Evelise Kowalczyk
· 2 months ago
my mother's insurance plan (provided by the government, when she works), is actually very good and not expensive. but i'm brazilian.
why does the health polictics in usa seems so diferent from here? shame, they're 'supporting' lies this way.
Richard
· 2 months ago
Along with everyone else here, I am astounded. Fighting with an insurance company for acne treatment? Thank goodness for the Canadian system. it may have its flaws, but at least I don't have to deal with that kind of nonsense.
Name
· 2 months ago
Unfortunately, the message here is clear. Lie to them, and hope you can get away with it. Because that's the best way to run a business for all parties! What a ridiculous joke.
Name
· 2 months ago
I am 25. I had a tonsillectomy 3 years ago, which my insurance provider (Aetna) paid for. A year later, when I turned 23, I went back onto group healthcare for 2 years. When I signed up with Aetna again for individual healthcare this year, Aetna almost denied my claim because I had tonsillitis and a tonsillectomy 3 years ago. And they had the gall to tell me they had no record of the operation.
warnero
· 2 months ago
Wow, this kind of nonsense has got to stop.
Lee Kowalkowski
· 2 months ago
Wow. I get an increased heart rate every day when I run up 3 flights of stairs at work. And I've suffered from paralysis with a loss of consciousness virtually every night for as long as I can remember. But I never thought I'd be uninsurable. Do these guys insure anyone?
Shawn Hill
· 2 months ago
Best health care in the world as long as you don't need it.
'peeps creative
· 2 months ago
Never fill out an application for health insurance with anyone but an insurance guy. (I'm not an insurance guy, BTW). They know what to say and how to say it. If I were you I would call anthem and tell them i never filled out an online form, because now you've been denied you can never undo that. It's like an insurance felony. it will follow you forever - a denial, that is.
That is one of the most ridiculous things ever. Why is insurance like that? I really think insurance would be just as much a money making business if things were not like that. Just think of all the people in the world paying for individual plans. Reasonable plans. Somebody would still make a lot of money. And people would be little more about the world of insurance. It would totally be a win win thing!! This absolutely crazy. I get heartburn, but I guess mums, or tums, the word!
Angela Randall
· 1 month ago
The lady in the background on the form looks like she's shooting you the bird while you're filling it out. Ominous much?
predator by nature
· 1 month ago
we have became consumers. who said we don't deserve (still) the right to be treated as humans?
Dr. Jochen Leidner
· 1 month ago
The USA is a country of compassionate people where the commercial success part of the American dream is accompanied by philanthropic expectations. Bill Gates and his foundation try to cure Malaria and help rid Africa of HIV, yet in the homeland, people die from lack of medical care.
It is a good country to be rich in, but the needy are better served by any of the diverse political systems of Europe, where it is a commonly accepted value that a human life is beyond dollar/Euro valuation.
To my surprise many people in the U.S. do actually know that Europeans are better served, and it is no secret that the U.S. is much richer than any of the European states, so it can only be ascribed to a lack of faith in the political system that there is not more enthusiasm for change.
Think about it: here's a people that boldly believe they can go to the moon (and right they were), but nobody believes healthcare can be fixed!
The Donut Project
· 1 month ago
That's impressively terrible. Patriotism aside - things like this embarrass me to even live in this country. I fail to see how anyone can be ok with our current healthcare system.
dots
· 1 month ago
Update: I just got a notice in the mail from my health insurance provider saying they will not cover a CAT scan my doctor has issued after I had severe abdominal pains a few months back that woudln't go away. My insurance reasoning: I overspent my limit for the year.
I took a good look at what I spent, and I was horrified to discover all the stuff that isn't covered (really basic stuff too). On my plan, most women can go thorugh the "limit" pretty quickly by just going to see their gynocologist for an annual exam, and getting a pap smear, and yet we pay more than men for insurance. How is that fair or right?
I know my new debt is nothing compared to some people going through cancer treatments and whatnot, but it saddens me to know that all this money I put out every month goes towards nothing. I'm just grateful that I'm supposedly alright. However, I'm worried for the future, and scared that something will happen, and I will not be able to pay my medical expenses.
I hope that our president will continue this fight to change healthcare in this country. Just supporting the cause to eliminate extra charges for preventive care would help so many small businesses and individuals who are self-employed.
Cameron
· 1 month ago
One time I had a bad experience at Best Buy and blamed the entire thing on CAPITALISM. I was like "Why can't the government supply my electronic devices, man?!"
Get over yourselves, you're all very dramatic. It's unfortunate that these companies can't compete across state lines because you have the potential for incompetence like this, but it doesn't mean health care is a God-given right.
Ron
· 1 month ago
So wait you're comparing the desire to be given a flatscreen TV for free to the desire to actually be given access to health care coverage when you *want* to pay for it?
Yea that is totally the same thing.
Jasha
· 1 month ago
Health care IS a God Give Right. That's one of the things that any democracy should have as priority. This is one of the fundamental rights, together with free accessible education and personal freedom.
Health is not something you can buy, as you can't sell it. Is acceptable for you that a children die because of a usual infection turning to be mortal because of lack of money to buy medicines? that's something that happens daily, that's a shame. I'm proud that this is something that do not happen in my country. I've no money to pay? The system will care of you, the society as human life is the most important thing on hearth.
I'm really surprised this simple idea is missing in too many americans.
Shawn Hill
· 1 month ago
Best Buy refused your business because you had heartburn?
Ron
· 1 month ago
You know what I hate about this healthcare debate? Its when you're talking about the infuriating practice of health care companies denying coverage to self-paid insurance claims and then someone with guaranteed group coverage cries "socialism bad!" because they are covered and don't give a shit, and then someone from europe cries "socialism good!" because it doesn't matter to them if the US gets a better health insurance system or not but the REST of us just want to pay for our goddamn health insurance without getting dropped. Is that too much to ask for? Why do you have to take this to some grandiose idealistic debate?
Jasha
· 1 month ago
HOLY God, why socialism? Do you know wtf is socialism? or just talk because you have a mouth and feel like you have to use? (fingers in this case).
Is england ruled by socialism? Is Italy ruled by socialism? Is France ruled by socialism? i will answer: NO! and all of them have a GREAT health care system. Does people pay for their health care assistance? YES, they just pay proportionally to their income. My family pay 40% of the full "ticket", someone get it for free, someone else pay full service, that's life, that's how it should work. What is important about this story? everybody had full coverage.
Just to let you underastand a BIT better what am i talking about i suggest you guys to use your time to investigate a bit about health care systems ranking from the WHO: http://www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks.html
Check it out: 1st France, 2nd Italy; US? 37th place, behind Chile. Great, enjoy your amazing system.
Ehi, you can still watch your amazing 42" LCD TV while dying of any kind of sickness you health care insurance refuse to pay for.
Ron
· 1 month ago
Here's the deal dude - the USA is NEVER going to have European style universal health coverage. Its just not how the country works, and we will not likely see it in our lifetime. Its incredibly complicated. The best we can hope for is some more regulations over health insurance companies and maybe just MAYBE a low-cost public option that will drive costs down.
Now, the health insurance companies have framed the debate that universal health coverage = "socialism" and therefore all efforts to reform health care coverage = "socialism". Even if its not reflective of real socialism at all, its a great marketing trick and a way to sway public opinion especially in the right wing. Note the guy's reaction that we're responding to. He totally bought into it.
But when you interject european style universal health care coverage into the debate it gives the opponents fuel to the "socialism" argument because it is in essence "socialised medicine" meaning the state pays for all health care. So rather than framing the debate in terms of being about regulation it becomes idealistic debate over universal health care - which will never happen - and puts us back to a point where action never takes place because the goal is impossible.
And thats why from a US perspective when you talk about universal health coverage it sounds to us like "socialism good!". I'm sorry you were offended.
Jasha
· 1 month ago
I can understand it and i know perfectly how it works in the US, what's your point of view.
What i simply hate are abuses, and the US health care system, exactly as the education system is an abuse to US citizens.
Don't worry, i was not offended, i'm italian, i get passionate when the discussion tone rise.
All Comments
I wish you won't have any health problem until you find any company covering you.
I'm Italian, there are many problems in my country, but i'm proud that health care is offered by the state and you pay a fee compared to your yearly income. If you're poor, you do not pay. This is a fair system and we are not a communist dictatorship.
I wish you guys in "great" america will start think better and to claim from your politicians a more fair system.
Regards
"If you’re in the military or a veteran or poor enough for Medicaid or old enough for Social Security or get health insurance through your employer, the public option has nothing to do with you. But for the minority of Americans who are currently uninsured, or who buy insurance on the individual market, it could make a big difference. All the different Democratic proposals agree that such people should be helped through the creation of a regulated health-insurance exchange. The exchange will function, essentially, as one giant risk pool (just as the employees at a company form a risk pool) which should bring premiums down, on average. But to make this work, it’s vital that everyone participates. Otherwise, people with below-average health needs will drop out, and premiums will skyrocket. Thus there will be a mandate that everyone who doesn’t already have coverage buy some. And, in turn, there will be subsidies to ensure that coverage is affordable." Matthew Yglesias http://tiny.cc/4u7Ym
in-surance, should insure peace of mind, instead it assures heartburn or even an ulcer.
UPDATE: Just add to my comment. This woman in Florida was denied coverage after being raped. The reason? It was a preexisting condition! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/21/insura...
I don't know your level of political involvement, but I am asking permission to share your story on a political blog called DailyKos (http://www.dailykos.com). DailyKos is a progressive blog, and its members routinely report on the absolutely ridiculous pre-existing condition. There have been confirmed reports of health insurance companies treating rape, domestic violence, and pregnancy as pre-exisiting conditions. While heartburn can never be compared to rape and domestic violence, it is certainly as ridiculous. Please let me share your story so we can get the healthcare we deserve.
As you state on your suggestion 'frequent' is the key qualifier there. Interestingly they use it on 'Persistent and/or intense pain'.
I work for a health insurance company (I know... just shoot me) and we recently released an online application for individuals. It is just amazing what you find out when working on the other side of the app... they are pretty much setting you for failure.
I am waay lucky to be on a group insurance plan (through my own employer), but after working on the 'decision matrix' for auto-fails your jaw would drop so badly... well, actually maybe it wouldn't drop lower than when you received such denial letter.
Issues like stupid measures like BMI, and other ridiculous things (like heartburn) are the culprit of such a shitty health system.
What use is insurance to the healthy? It's like hurricane insurance for your Montana bungalow.
Insurance is for property - health care is for people. Sorry you have to deal with that shit in the US. Profits before people I guess.
Our healthcare system is ludicrous
And you're right...Anthem's website really is trying too hard. Trying and failing.
Honestly, this is why the US needs a public option, or preferably, a proper single-payer system. Takes a great burden off us Canadian freelancer / entrepreneurs, lemme tell ya.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/21/insura...
I do admit that I had a not so great experience the first couple months I was on the plan. For the very first time, I was diagnosed as having acne. I guess you could say I was blessed for never having this problem until the age of 26. A month after I started very basic treatment (diagnosis by the dermatologist and was given a prescription), my insurance accused me of having acne as a preexisting condition, and refused to pay for my doctor's visit (but I still got my medicine at a discount). Thankfully, I was a with a great doctor who was on my side, and had the money to cover myself for the time being. However, I spent about 2 months fighting the case with my health insurance company. I spent numerous hours on the phone with these people! I was able to prove that I never had a preexisting condition and that I had never had a lapse in coverage. Still, I'm horrified that a perfectly healthy person like myself, was questioned for something as typical as acne.
My word of advice to anyone who wants to switch over from COBRA to individual coverage is to stay on COBRA until you are completely signed up with your individual coverage, and makes sure you have that piece of paper from where you worked and/or from cobra that says the date and length of your coverage — it will save you HOURS of being on the phone, requesting copies of this. I also suggest making copies of these and leaving a set at your parents/family's house (in case you ever loose them).
why does the health polictics in usa seems so diferent from here?
shame, they're 'supporting' lies this way.
Call an insurance salesman.
Dave Sutula
peeps.pdpdev.com
It is a good country to be rich in, but the needy are better served by any of the diverse political systems of Europe, where it is a commonly accepted value that a human life is beyond dollar/Euro valuation.
To my surprise many people in the U.S. do actually know that Europeans are better served, and it is no secret that the U.S. is much richer than any of the European states, so it can only be ascribed to a lack of faith in the political system that there is not more enthusiasm for change.
Think about it: here's a people that boldly believe they can go to the moon (and right they were), but nobody believes healthcare can be fixed!
I took a good look at what I spent, and I was horrified to discover all the stuff that isn't covered (really basic stuff too). On my plan, most women can go thorugh the "limit" pretty quickly by just going to see their gynocologist for an annual exam, and getting a pap smear, and yet we pay more than men for insurance. How is that fair or right?
I know my new debt is nothing compared to some people going through cancer treatments and whatnot, but it saddens me to know that all this money I put out every month goes towards nothing. I'm just grateful that I'm supposedly alright. However, I'm worried for the future, and scared that something will happen, and I will not be able to pay my medical expenses.
I hope that our president will continue this fight to change healthcare in this country. Just supporting the cause to eliminate extra charges for preventive care would help so many small businesses and individuals who are self-employed.
Get over yourselves, you're all very dramatic. It's unfortunate that these companies can't compete across state lines because you have the potential for incompetence like this, but it doesn't mean health care is a God-given right.
Yea that is totally the same thing.
Health is not something you can buy, as you can't sell it. Is acceptable for you that a children die because of a usual infection turning to be mortal because of lack of money to buy medicines? that's something that happens daily, that's a shame. I'm proud that this is something that do not happen in my country. I've no money to pay? The system will care of you, the society as human life is the most important thing on hearth.
I'm really surprised this simple idea is missing in too many americans.
Is england ruled by socialism? Is Italy ruled by socialism? Is France ruled by socialism? i will answer: NO! and all of them have a GREAT health care system. Does people pay for their health care assistance? YES, they just pay proportionally to their income. My family pay 40% of the full "ticket", someone get it for free, someone else pay full service, that's life, that's how it should work.
What is important about this story? everybody had full coverage.
Just to let you underastand a BIT better what am i talking about i suggest you guys to use your time to investigate a bit about health care systems ranking from the WHO: http://www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks.html
Check it out: 1st France, 2nd Italy; US? 37th place, behind Chile.
Great, enjoy your amazing system.
Ehi, you can still watch your amazing 42" LCD TV while dying of any kind of sickness you health care insurance refuse to pay for.
Now, the health insurance companies have framed the debate that universal health coverage = "socialism" and therefore all efforts to reform health care coverage = "socialism". Even if its not reflective of real socialism at all, its a great marketing trick and a way to sway public opinion especially in the right wing. Note the guy's reaction that we're responding to. He totally bought into it.
But when you interject european style universal health care coverage into the debate it gives the opponents fuel to the "socialism" argument because it is in essence "socialised medicine" meaning the state pays for all health care. So rather than framing the debate in terms of being about regulation it becomes idealistic debate over universal health care - which will never happen - and puts us back to a point where action never takes place because the goal is impossible.
And thats why from a US perspective when you talk about universal health coverage it sounds to us like "socialism good!". I'm sorry you were offended.
What i simply hate are abuses, and the US health care system, exactly as the education system is an abuse to US citizens.
Don't worry, i was not offended, i'm italian, i get passionate when the discussion tone rise.