Living Donors Online Message Board
Living Donation Discussion and News => Living Donation Forum => Topic started by: Karol on August 29, 2012, 04:38:46 PM
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A friend is doing research and asked me to put this question out here:
Were you denied health insurance, or given a probationary period, for having a pre-existing condition from donating a kidney?
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I had group insurance through my work for both myself and my husband. I specifically asked prior to donating if there would be any changes or repercussions. The answer was "no", and I did find that to hold true after the donation.
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No, but I have a policy that is paid up for 'life' that started before I donated.
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I am applying for health insurance right now. We usually have coverage through my husband's work, however, he is getting laid off end of Oct. My friend who is putting together a package for me has seen where donors have been denied, so I went and had my physical done so I can answer the LONG questionare that they require. He did say if I get denied, they send it to the state I believe to where you can get coverage for those that have been denied.
I had to get coverage about 4 years ago when my husband lost his job back then too, and BCBS, did not deny me.
I will let you know if I get turned down.
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We thought my hubbys Cobra insurance was going to run out, ended up we get another year, yeah. But as we were checking into insurance to see about rates and coverage, I was fine as long as my evaluations were ok, it was hubby that was denied by a couple as he is type 2 diabetic. He is a higher risk than I am. And his is very well controlled, didn't matter they wouldn't even consider him.
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Nice to hear that people are not having problems. I do not have health insurance and am about to be a donar. I hope to get insurance within a few months after donating.
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mintx, any chance you can get your insurance before you donate? I don't want to alarm you, but if you have a complication from the surgery, you could have a problem getting individual insurance afterwards. (It's not an issue if you're getting group coverage through your employer.) You really need to be covered BEFORE you have surgery.
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I would love to get coverage before surgery but unfortunately it does not look like that will happen. Life has been a bit of a challange the past few years. I have decided ( with the support of my family) that we are not letting my circumstances interfear with my donation of a kidney to my mom (via donor chain).
The positive news is that with all of the testing, I am 100% healthy now. I meet with the surgical team in two weeks for final approval but most of the poking, prodding, x-rays, blood and urine labs are FINALLY done. If there are no complications and I get insurace after, then I will be in good shape. If not, then I will deal with it.
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SOME transplant hospitals participate in a program of the "Living Organ Donor Network" that provides special life/health/disability insurance ONLY for living donors (for a limited time). You should ask the social worker attached to the organ donation program at your hospital, or the transplant coordinator, about this posibility.
best wishes,
Fr. Pat
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Thank you! I will ask about it when I meet with the team. I do have life insurance that has been in place for a long time.