Bradley needs some health vibes.....

gailc · Oct 22, 2005

Well with me out of a job and going the self-employed route I can sympathize. We had been covered under my health insurance policy for 19 yrs. As part of my severance package I can continue to be covered until September 2006. But as it is BC/BS which my hubby diesn't like-we may switch to his policy early next yr.
However do you have the cafeteria type of plan that allows you to choose your decductibles? That can be a lower cost option??
I would agree to have Bradley at least for a few months to be covered under your policy.
Does the state of GA offer a group policy for state residents? Or sometimes there are insurance pools for self-employed people available.
That is one of the problems that our country has-no standardized health insurance for people in Bradley's situtation.
It would be a shame for him to take another job that me may not like just for the health insurance benefits.

blueyedgirl5946 · Oct 22, 2005

Originally Posted by ugaimes

Thank you so much everyone for the vibes, prayers, AND excellent advice.

I agree with you Tanya that he should go on my insurance, at least for the time being. I told him I'd pay for it right now, but he doesn't like the idea of being dependent on me. So maybe I'll see if he'd go on my insurance and split the cost with me. That may be the only good solution for now. Regardless, he needs insurance ASAP! I don't like him going a day without it b/c his health is so fragile!

Does he have a job? Why can't he be added to your insurance and him foot the entire bill if he has the means to do so. After all it is to cover him, not you and it should not be your responsibility to pay insurance for him. There are many jobs that would provide some benefits. Why is the only one he can find being in a situation where he has to be gone two weeks at the time. I hate to say this, but it sounds like he has been dependent on his father, now he wants to be dependent on you. If he is old enough to work, it is his responsibility, not his father's and not yours. Money you have been putting aside for the future shouldn't be earmarked to pay his insurance.

catsrnmom · Oct 22, 2005

Amy, I am so sorry that you and Bradley are having to go through this...I work in healthcare, and unfortunately, I see this problem ALL of the time, and yes you are right about him needing insurance, one way or another...hospital bills and supplies just keep rising beyond belief, and just one needed hospital stay for him without insurance, would drain anyone finacially...but don't get me started on our healthcare system

...just a FYI, even though I work for a hospital, we too have crummy insurance.
I wish I had some insight for you, as to how to handle your situation, but I don't..but I do have some peaceful vibes sending you way.

ugaimes · Oct 22, 2005

Originally Posted by catsRNmom

Amy, I am so sorry that you and Bradley are having to go through this...I work in healthcare, and unfortunately, I see this problem ALL of the time, and yes you are right about him needing insurance, one way or another...hospital bills and supplies just keep rising beyond belief, and just one needed hospital stay for him without insurance, would drain anyone finacially...but don't get me started on our healthcare system

...just a FYI, even though I work for a hospital, we too have crummy insurance.
I wish I had some insight for you, as to how to handle your situation, but I don't..but I do have some peaceful vibes sending you way.

I really think that's what I needed to hear, thank you

.
Thank you everyone for the advice and well wishes!

Bugaboo1- Hopefully you do not have type 1 diabetes, but it is a horrible chronic illness that makes it nearly impossible for him to get AFFORDABLE health insurance on his own.

He has a job as a boat captain, but he does not get insurance through the job. While the money is very good during the "on" season, right now it's the "off" season so he basically only has a few trips a week. Thus, money is a bit leaner for him this time of year, hence the conundrum.

If it sounds like he's been dependent on his father for health insurance, that's because he has been. He just finished college last Dec. (he had to drop out for several semesters b/c of emergency hospital stays). He looked for full-time jobs that offered health insurance, but we're finding it's hard to get a job with just a bachelor's in biology. He needs a master's and right now we cannot afford for him to quit working and go back to school full-time.

Juvenile diabetes is a very serious condition, so while I truly do appreciate that you were trying to help me, please do not judge him. The reason he does not want to go on my insurance right now is that he IS very independent and does not like the idea of being dependent on me as he had to be on his father all of his life. It's nearly impossible to be completely 110% independent with health as fragile as his.

beckiboo · Oct 22, 2005

I think he should go on your insurance, and pay for half the additional cost. Maybe his dad would even help for a few months. If his dad savesd $200/mo by dropping his insurance, maybe he will give Bradley $100/month to help tide him over.

Consider how much Bradley makes being self employed. How much can he make? How much will he make in rescue, and how much can he make? It may be best to be poor for now, but pursue his dream and eventually likely make a lot of money at it.

Or is it possible for him to do rescue, and build his business on the 7 days off period?

My sister basically supported her bf, fiance, now husband for quite a few years. Now his business is really starting to make money, and they are doing quite well. Sometimes it is worth it to pinch pennies to work for a long term goal.

As for him supporting himself instead of you or his dad supporting him, I cannot believe that is an issue in your relationship. I'm assuming he is a productive adult, and you are working as a team, based on what I know about you.

laceydf · Oct 22, 2005

I'm sorry to hear about this dilemma!!!

I hope you guys find a solution soon! Sucks that his dad did that to him!!!

ollyextra05 · Oct 22, 2005

Good luck with all of this, health insurance is such a pain.
My only suggestion is that you look into a plan for him that would provide "catastrophic coverage" only--that's basically what I have right now. There's not much coverage for dr's appts. or meds, but if I were to need to be hospitalized I'd have full coverage. IT's not really cheap but I know it's less than $570/mth--I got it through State Farm who provides my car and homeowner's insurance--you might want to look into it for now until he can figure something else out.

ugaimes · Oct 22, 2005

Originally Posted by OllyExtra05

My only suggestion is that you look into a plan for him that would provide "catastrophic coverage" only--that's basically what I have right now. There's not much coverage for dr's appts. or meds, but if I were to need to be hospitalized I'd have full coverage. IT's not really cheap but I know it's less than $570/mth--I got it through State Farm who provides my car and homeowner's insurance--you might want to look into it for now until he can figure something else out.

Not sure I've even heard of that! I'll have to look into it, but I doubt it would help him too much considering even the most basic plans are very very pricey for diabetics. Oh well, I'll check it out.

Becky, thank you for that excellent advice. We're thinking along the same lines. You understand where I'm coming from. Yes, we are struggling a bit right now and I'm sort of doing the supporting. However, he is just at the start of his captaining career. His boss makes about $300K/year (it's a successful business!), so I know the potential is there for him one day down the road. I like your suggestion to also have his dad pay partly for his insurance for now- after all, his dad put Bradley in this predicament with almost NO warning whatsoever!

I don't want anyone to get the idea that he is dependent on me. We are both very independent people but we know when we can depend on one another as well. He is the absolute greatest guy I have ever known

, he treats me wonderfully, and I just want to do whatever I can to keep him healthy.

kellyyfaber · Oct 22, 2005

Oh no! Amy, that's terrible for you and Bradley!!!

I wish there were something I could do. I will be saying prayers and keeping my fingers crossed for you and him. Hang in there

blueyedgirl5946 · Oct 22, 2005

I hope you get things worked out. I apologize for speaking too freely. Maybe I didn't fully understand your situation. It sounds like he has a job with a good future, so maybe he will get to where he can shoulder more of the cost. In the meantime, if you love him, help him all you can and things will work out. I am fully familiar with diabetes and the kind of debilating disease it can be. My forty four year old nephew has battled it from the time he was in high school. He is blind now as a result of it. So I know the potential is there for some serious health risks. I wish your friend the best.
Work it out together and I am sure things will be like they should for you.

ugaimes · Oct 22, 2005

Originally Posted by Bugaboo1

I hope you get things worked out. I apologize for speaking too freely. Maybe I didn't fully understand your situation.

Don't worry 'bout it

.

Bless your nephew's heart. That's horrible that he is now blind. Diabetes is something that definitely deserves greater research funding, that's for sure!

krazy kat2 · Oct 22, 2005

Gosh, that's an awful predicament! Diabetes is such horrible disease. It plagues my family, but I have been fortunate to be the only one not afflicted with it so far. I hope you can find a way to work this out.

Bradley needs some health vibes.....

gailc

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blueyedgirl5946

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catsrnmom

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ugaimes

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beckiboo

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laceydf

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ollyextra05

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ugaimes

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kellyyfaber

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