So, long story short; I gotta apply for individual health insurance (self employed). Lat year an agent for Blue Cross told me I'd probably get denied because of pre-existing stuff. Yeah, I coughed once and took a med for it so you know HIGH RISK! OK, not as simple as that but you know how these fucking companies are. You can have every disease out there, not care for yourself, but if you have no medical history they will take you. You are in good health, do take care of yourself, but if you have any history you are fucked.

I'm gonna bite the bullet and apply anyway to a few companies.

My question; anyone know of any tips or tricks as far as how to fill out the application or the appeals process when I do get denied?

Anyone wanna get married so I can have health insurance? We don't have to commit to marriage, maybe we can just live together.

Poe, have you tried looking into getting insurance through a professional group?  When I was a nanny I got a reduced rate by joining the International Nanny Association and was then able to get insurance through their group program.  It's still expensive, but it enhances your chances of not getting dinged for pre-existing b/c you're part of a group.

You could've had it all, Poe. But then you told my half-breed ass to go munch some mochi.

"You can have every disease out there, not care for yourself, but if you have no medical history they will take you. You are in good health, do take care of yourself, but if you have any history you are fucked. "

Yeah, that drives me BATTY.

Keep us updated on what you find.  I found coverage for my daughter on E-insurance.com (they gave her Aetna, I don't recommend it) and I bought a short-term emergency-only policy for when I was on probation at work (and for when I was between jobs as well) because I had "pre existing conditions."  Meaning, I have totally controlled diabetes because I got it when I was pregnant and it never went completely away.  Basically, I can never be self employed.

I wonder if there is a way that self-employed people can pool resources and buy group insurance?

I highly recommend finding a broker no matter what.  I really did get a good deal for my baby.

Here's what I was talking about - clca.org/clca/membership…

The California Landscape Contractors Association offers group insurance with membership.  Not sure if that's a good fit - I'm guesstimating based on other posts about what you do.  It looks like to be a member you have to be a licensed landscape contractor (which doesn't look cheap), so I'm not sure if this is helpful or not.

I looked into getting other self employed persons together, the agent said that it can no longer be done. In fact, Media Alliance used to have it for their members but one day the company dropped them with no warning.
There is no gardeners union or group. Immigrant labor (not hating immigrant labor) keeps wages and any sort of group power down.

Amy, you have a name for an agent or broker? I wanna see if someone other than the woman I used last year can help. Thanks!

Hannala, I'm a gardener not a landscape contractor, but thanks anyway for the link.

Omid, you couldn't afford my dowery anyway!

Bumpity bump.

Poe, unfortunately Kaiser is one of your few options in terms of decent health care, as a self employed person. Those "Discount Medical" groups? Total and complete crap.  A few years before starting our company did the Midwest Life of Tennessee and what a crock.  Blue Cross and Blue Shield, unless you go as a business with at least 2 employees, will find any reason for rejection on a personal insurance plan.  PM our broker and business adviser who did a great job for us on Blue Cross. Worth a shot.

Poe, if this helps any, I have had a few past health problems and Blue Cross took me. My premium isn't very high and I have a decent plan. I think perhaps that was because I failed to mention the previous health problems on the application? Worked for me.

A doctor once told me to lie and say I'd never been to a doctor before. No medical history, nada :)

Wow- it is pretty sad people have to lie to get decent health care coverage...

No blame to anyone for having to do this...
just one example of how screwed up the health care system is.

As much of an ass I am I have a really hard time lying (is the the correct way to write lying?) on those kinds of forms. Stupid parents and their morality and teaching us to do the right thing. It probably also has to do with the fear of INS being on my ass till I got my citizenship. The walls have ears and eyes.

Poe .... I have a potentially life threatening "pre-existing" condition ... and it's a good thing that I have coverage at work where that stuff does not matter.  But I would recommend Kaiser.  They seem to have descent coverage for self employed people.  Kaiser is not an option at work for me, but my roommate goes there, with her kids.  If you can deal with the HMO crap ... go for it!  Good luck.

You could hook up and marry somebody that has coverage, and get spousal coverage!  :-)

Michael, I keep asking people to marry me or have me an SO but I gots no takers....

I have Kaiser right now, CAL COBRA expires March 1st. I hate hate hate Kaiser with a mighty passion but.....I'll still apply. Some insurance is better than nothing.

Anyone here have AFLAC? Thinking of getting it in case of disability.

Some insurance is better than nothing ...

I have Aetna at work, still sucks, but they paid my $1000 emergency room visit when I was hit by a car, and they pay for other things I need in full.  (if that helps your decision any!!  :-)

My COBRA from my old job will expire in 36 months, but costs $333 per month.  My new job will offer me new coverage in March or so. and I will cancel that lousy COBRA.

Michael:  Aetna is probably one of the better insurance companies out there.  Doctors love 'em, because they actually pay.  When they do, they tend to pay out a larger amount than other health insurances... ie. you pay less.    

Poe:  Yeah Kaiser and the HMO's really suck big fat weiner.  Like some people here have said, I believe there are certain companies in which you can apply for health insurance and get a group rate.

Poe-

Last year I had a job that  had group health insurance and that expired in August so I had to find some on my own due to some current health care I need. I thought I was high risk and what not as well, but ended up getting accepted and didn't have to do an HMO plan, or Cobra or any of those (cobra would have cost me nearly twice what I'm paying). I'm not making much, and found a decent plan that isn't ripping me off, and allows me to have great doctors. The only off putting thing, is that  I have no vision plan, but I do get dental, medical and life out of it.

Blue Shield  has some decent plans for people who are self employed, or individuals just looking for policies.

It's almost worth forming a partnership or corporation just to get group rates if you are self-employed...

poe, just skip over those questions. then you won't have to lie. think of it as 'i don't feel like answering this one'.

when i was applying for college, i didn't feel like writing an essay. so i never wrote one. i only applied to 2 schools. got into both. when my guidance counselor called me down to ask about the essay and said they never received them, i said 'oh really, that's strange'. see... not lying. just didn't feel like doing it.

Poe, a few years back, I had to get an individual plan because my employer at the time didn't offer insurance. I worked with a broker, and she was a HUGE help. I was denied coverage because I made a mistake on the app, and  I never could have gotten through the whole ordeal without her. If you'd like her name, I can give it to you offline. She's in Southern Cal, but I don't think that'd be a problem. Good luck.

Suge, you are too much ;-)

Whatever happens do NOT go with Aetna, they suck balls. Good luck.

The problem is, most insurers are able to dig around and find your medical history, whether or not you provide the information to them.  I have Blue Cross, which I semi-despise, and I initially got quoted this really great low rate on esurance.com...and why not?  I'm a non-smoking 27 year old female with no blips in my health history whatsoever.

Or so I thought.  I went to change my birth control a few years ago because it was making me depressed, amongst many other things.  The drug-happy doctor recommended an antidepressant, despite the fact that I knew and insisted it was just a bad reaction to the bc I was taking (and as time has shown, it clearly was).  Because of that bullshit, Blue Cross found that I had 'a history of depression' and raised my rates.  I am waiting for a really foul mood day to properly Yelp that doctor.

Oh Percival you dear, keep spinning your wheels son. If you want, I can help you change your tires. :)

I found relatively inexpensive temporary insurance through my car insurance company (Farmer's).  They have a couple of different options that are pricier by a lot than what I pay through work, but A LOT less than Cobra.  I would suggest calling Ann and Sherril Appel in Monterey (somehow, they seem to be able to get better rates for me on everything, even though I live in San Francisco now).

Try Media Bistro -- you have to become a member of the guild, but once you do, you can get dental & health.

oops-- here's the link

mediabistro.com/insurance

If you've been turned down by any major insurance company in the last twelve months, or think you will be check out the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program. The premiums are a bit high but at least you'll get good coverage. The program is administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield but you can also chose Kaiser and someone else. My Kaiser insurance is now $210/month but that is the best program with everything covered including drugs. The only downfall to the Kaiser plan is after you apply and are accepted they have a 3 month waiting period if you haven't had insurance in the past year or something. But google it and see if you qualify. It's an amazing program.