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Obtaining Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions After Insurance

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Last Modified: November 1, 2001

Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts,"
I was diagnosed two year ago in April with AML (M3). I have been in remission since July of that year and have been out of treatment since November of 1994.

Due to the situation (I am in Graduate student at a State University) and the limited nature of the group health insurance available to me ($50,000 per lifetime, per illness, per individual) I eventually hit the cap on my insurance despite having been on Medicaid during the majority of my treatment. I now still need to see my doctor once every couple of months and have been receiving regular checkups and tests. These tests are not cheap, the tests have included standard histology, chromosome and PCR tests to see if any of the leukemia is left in the bone marrow. All tests have been negative. Still, I have been saddled with high lab bills and my doctor has been kind enough to see me pro bono.

So my question for you is, where do I go from here? I have tried to get outside coverage, but obviously due to my preexisting condition insurance companies are not exactly jumping on the bandwagon to see me.

1. It is regrettable that the easiest way for this student to obtain coverage would be for them to find a job which offers health benefits where there would be no pre-existing condition clause. This may not be immediately feasible based on their overall goals for finishing school. However, it should be an important consideration when seeking future full-time employment.
2. We also suggest that this student, or if possible their physician, approach the lab which he or she regularly uses to negotiate a discount on their charges. The lab director may be willing to pre-arrange a discount from their charges which could be fairly substantial - at least a 50% discount if not one that approaches 70%. Use the Medicaid fee schedule as a guide for negotiating this discounted rate. In addition, we suggest that they approach a lab affiliated with or owned by the University where they matriculate to determine if their status as a student would put them in a stronger position to negotiate a discount.
3. We also suggest that this student should directly contact their local Medicaid office to confirm that their coverage has been exhausted.