Moving to California from Ireland w/ Crohns

[ConorK]

Hi Guys,

I just signed up to this forum and I couldn't find an answer to my specific question so I apologies if it has already been answered.

I am 26 y/o and was diagnosed with Crohns in 2005. My condition is very manageable by now after having an ileostomy a couple of years ago. I do not take any medications anymore, just eating right and vitamin supplements and I have minimal symptoms.

The question I have is I am planning to move to San Francisco for a year under a graduate visa programme to work as an intern and I need advice on what kind of health insurance I will need while there.

Are there any crohns patients in California who can advise me on what the health care situation is like and what kind of expenses I will need to plan for. Is it possible to get insurance for pre existing conditions like crohns, are there policies that would cover expenses such as bags and appliances etc. or if not how much do they cost?

I don't mind paying above the odds if I have to as I have dreamed of going to California and I won't let my condition stop me.

Thank you in advance of your answers.

Kind Regards
Conor

 

[ronroush7]

I will tag Jennifer

 

[ConorK]

Thanks Ron, I appreciate it

 

[Ian_H]

Hi Guys,

I just signed up to this forum and I couldn't find an answer to my specific question so I apologies if it has already been answered.

I am 26 y/o and was diagnosed with Crohns in 2005. My condition is very manageable by now after having an ileostomy a couple of years ago. I do not take any medications anymore, just eating right and vitamin supplements and I have minimal symptoms.

The question I have is I am planning to move to San Francisco for a year under a graduate visa programme to work as an intern and I need advice on what kind of health insurance I will need while there.

Are there any crohns patients in California who can advise me on what the health care situation is like and what kind of expenses I will need to plan for. Is it possible to get insurance for pre existing conditions like crohns, are there policies that would cover expenses such as bags and appliances etc. or if not how much do they cost?

I don't mind paying above the odds if I have to as I have dreamed of going to California and I won't let my condition stop me.

Thank you in advance of your answers.

Kind Regards
Conor

Hey there!

Well American health insurance can be a headache, but also very helpful. I would first find the Doctor's office or hospital that you plan to go to and find out what carriers or insurance networks they accept. After you find that out, pick a carrier within the list given to you by the hospital/office you chose and pick the plan you want under the accepted insurances by that office/hospital. Fun stuff!!!!haha

If you have to get health insurance from the government healthcare.gov, the same rules apply. Find out the network the office you chose accepts and pick from that carriers plans. i hope this helps! Also I am a South Carolina resident so it may vary slightly in California, but its about the same I think,

Good Luck!!

 

[ConorK]

Cheers Ian,

Do you know what the situation is with bags etc. are the covered under insurance or do I need to pay for them myself?

 

[Ian_H]

Cheers Ian,

Do you know what the situation is with bags etc. are the covered under insurance or do I need to pay for them myself?

I am fortunate and do not have a bag, yet! But I do know that some insurances will cover and others will not. Once you know your doc and insurances you can pick from, i would call the insurance company you want to go with and ask if they cover your bags under the plan you are choosing. The better/more expensive your plan is the more likely they will cover your bags.

On a positive note, once the headache of finding a plan is done, i have never had a problem with them not paying for something or denying treatment etc... Smooth sailing after that.

 

[Ian_H]

Also they may cover a percentage of you bag cost. Depends on the plan

 

[Scipio]

I live in California. California doesn't use governmenthealtcare.gov. It set up it's own coverage exchange called Covered California. Its website is here:

http://www.coveredca.com/individuals-and-families/getting-covered/health-care-costs/

If you are a legal resident of California you will be eligible. The website can answer most of your questions. As others have said the coverage varies depending on what you can afford and what you sign up for. Pre-existing conditions are by law covered under this system.

 

[Jennifer]

If the above link doesn't help then you can contact the local Social Services office and they should be able to give you the information you're looking for: http://sfgov.org/help

Welcome to the forum ConorK!