Liver testing/insurance, anyone??

[Jennhere]

I had my liver tests done about 8 months ago.  All were normal.  About how often should a person check on the liver?  I have no health insurance and cannot seem to find a company willing to insure me.  I would have to pay out of pocket- and I don't get the deals the insurance companies get..!  With that said, does anyone have an insurance company they would recommend?  I was told NO insurance company would cover me.  I'm supposed to go through the state… since I just moved to TX, I have to wait 6 months, (if I read their instructions correctly) in order to apply for their state insurance for American Citizens too sick to get insurance. 
Jenn

[Suzanne]

Shouldn't the dr. rx'ing your meds decide how often you need labs and order them?  Even if you are out of state now, they can send you orders for a drawing station, like Quest or Labcorp.

FYI – when I was on mino, tetracycline, erythomycin for acne, they never did labs.  If mino is your only med and you don't have other risk factors, maybe you dose is low enough it isn't a concern?  Have you called your dr. to ask?

Mom of teen daughter with Poly JIA since age 2. Current med: azithromycin 250 mg MWF.

[Jennhere]

My doc ended up being my kid's PCP.  She didn't know diddly about A.P. or arthritis… only enough to send me to a “specialist”- none of which thought A.P. was a realistic way to go.  She writes me the prescriptions, and I order them from Canada.  We had a cordial relationship even after I began to improve.  She wanted me on Prozac, not meds for my imaginary joint pains. 

I don't have a doc here.  I will be a new patient- costs a lot… need tests, I suppose.  I don't know if I need them or not.  I don't have a doc giving me any advice or guidance.  I never did.  I have an on again off again pain in my lower right rib that can become really painful even to touch.  I asked about it here once and it was suggested it's a part of the whole connective tissue problem.  Not my liver, maybe, but some bits in my lower rib.  I also get a spasmic fluttering from that area.  I think it's the muscle or my liver.  Something's freaking out in there.  It wakes me at night and limits my sleep when it gets really active. 

Anyway, I feel like garbage today, my rib area is trying to murder me, I can't breathe cuz it's painful and I feel nauseous…blah.  I was thinking maybe I should rule out the liver. 

Jenn

[Jo]

No you do not have to wait 6 mos to apply.

The 6 mos waiting period is the anti monopoly rule for the government, IF and ONLY IF you have private insurance, you can not drop it in favor of the government insurance without a 6 mos wait, UNLESS there are extenuating circumstances.

Divorce, job loss, moving, lots of reasons are acceptable.

You didn't state why you moved, nor if you had insurance previously.

But, I'd suggest you simply go ahead and apply.

 

[Suzanne]

I don't know what that could be, but it sounds miserable!  I think you should find a doctor to check it out.  Tell them you are worried about insurance – maybe they will at least rule out the worst stuff and suggest what they would do next, when you get insurance.  Don't wait too long and let it get too bad!  Take care.

Mom of teen daughter with Poly JIA since age 2. Current med: azithromycin 250 mg MWF.

[Jennhere]

Thanks, Jo.  I guess I was getting California and TX confused.  In CA, since I have this “pre-exisiting condition”, I was told I could get the state insurance (for something like$500.00 a month) but that my “pre-exisiting condition” issues would NOT BE COVERED for ..I think it was 6 months.  THEN, after I had paid into the system for that period, I could be seen for my actual problem.  I thought I read that TX was the same.  I'm so sick right now that I can't think straight.  I shouldn't even bother today.  Thanks, though, for the hope.  I have a feeling that TX will bar me from actually being treated or seen for my current problem for awhile.  At least with A.P. my joints don't hurt!!!!!!!:)

Jenn

Ps, like I said, I feel like junk today, so I may not be getting this right…. I think I also read that the TX state insurance for those who can't get it due to PRE-exists … Ok, I think you have to wait a year in TX.  That would be a real problem.  I think it's because I'm coming from out of state.  I had insurance with my exhusband's job.

[Jo]

 

The 12 mos pre existing condition thru the Health Pool does not apply if you qualify with this provision.

**provided that the individual's application for coverage through the Health Pool was made no later than 63 days following termination of the prior health coverage. ** 

(and you had continious coverage for 12 full mos prior to that)**

Have you let your insurance lapse for more than 2 mos?

 

 

[Jennhere]

Hi, Jo.

Yes.  I was divorced the first week of Feb.O8. I was unsure if I would move to TX or to N.Y.  I was trying to find a home to buy in either state.  I have family in both areas.  I found a place in May, in TX.   I moved to TX July.  I paid out of pocket to the doc I had been seeing prior to loosing insurance.  I wouldn't have qualified for much in CA while I waited to move- the costs would have been in the thousands of dollars, while I only saw the doctor twice in that time.  Out of pocket/uninsured was about $250. 

I'll look back into the TX system in a day or two. 

Thanks, though!!!

Jenn

 

[linda]

Hi Jenn,

I was going to suggest the state health pool but I remembered the 12 month rule. In SA, we have a University Hospital system for people w/out insurance, your pymts are based on your income. Be prepared for long waits for appts, tho. Also, have you checked out needymeds.com for financial aid? I don't remember if any of the organizations help with labs, it may have only been meds and insurance premiums.

Jenn, I don't know if it makes you feel any better, but liver function tests only come back high if your liver is already pretty badly damaged; at which point you would presumably also be seeing other symptoms like jaundice, clay colored stools, etc. Flaxseed oil is good for liver support if you're not already using it. I know how scary it is w/out insurance, I've been there. The fastest growing demographic in the U.S. is single mothers, many of them in your shoes, no insurance. I truly hope you can get this situation resolved soon.

One last thing-and I mention it not knowing your current relationship with your ex. Mine is not great, but I had reached the point where I could no longer afford the premiums for my insurance. I bit the bullet and emailed my ex explaining the situation, even tho it was humiliating. He must've been in a good mood that day, because he asked his employer if he could add his ex-wife to his group insurance plan. (His current wife is military and is not on his plan). His employer agreed- not that it was a monumental decrease in cost- it went down to $630.00/month, split by my ex and myself. Still, $300 is quite a bit less than $1,000. Many employers are offering this option to their employees now. Maybe it is something your ex would consider if you guys can work out splitting the cost of the premium. Hope this helps,

linda

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