Insurance can really be difficult for many of us with bipolar disorder. Some states have parity laws- which means those of us with a mental illness have to have access to insurance. Other states have not passed this law. I’m lucky that Oregon has this program. I buy insurance from the Oregon Medical Insurance Pool. After I was turned down by EVERYONE because I have bipolar disorder, I was eligible for this program. And here is what’s funny. I RARELY go to the doctor for bipolar disorder. I treat myself and see my doctor for a meds checkup. But I do have to admit that I have more physical problems than most due to this illness.
My insurance is $375 a month. Very expensive. But it’s good insurance.
Does your state have parity? You can check with your NAMI or DSBA branches. Visit www.nami.org and http://www.dbsalliance.org
Oregon also has state insurance- but they aren’t taking new people. For those of you in countries with guaranteed health care, you’re lucky!
Julie
Related posts: Small business and individual finances for people with bipolar disorder | Newsletter: Debate night tips for staying calm and nice! | Bipolar Disorder and People Who Change Plans! |
10/30/08
Julie, I really need help finding funding for my 32 year old Daguther with two young children and has been diagnosed as bipolar. She is getting worse each day and is doing things that is really out of her character and she has no Insurance and the little town counseling center that you pay $10.00 for, isn’t helping her because they do not know how to treat bipolar. She was put on a type of medication and it was like taking sugar pills. I don’t know what is going to happen to her, and she is all I have. Never happy, spends money and doesn’t know why, stays in debt, Lies, goes to these cash advance and then the car title place, etc. Has a boyfriend after cheating on her husband of 13 years. For some reason the whole time she was married to her husband, no children, has an affair with opposite color and has two children. I can’t swallow this and I can not believe anything she tells me. I want to see her back the way she used to be when she was 13. Thats how long this has been building h up. Her dad was bipolar, never got help and he is on the streets, broke and not a pot to pee in. Do you know of any Insurance or places in Virginia, We live in Amherst, VA. near Lynchburg, va. roanoke, VA and Charlottesville, VA. Desperate-Sharon
I assume you are talking about medical insurance.
I am in the UK where we have a national helath service. However, there can be huge waiting lists for treatment. For example, it can take 12 months to see a counsellor unless you can afford to go privately. (There are lots of trained counsellors, but no money for the health service to employ them).
For holiday insurance in UK it is worth ringing around. Two years ago I had to accept a policy that specifically excluded Bipolar. This year, as long as I have been stable (on the same meds) for 12 months, I am accepted automatically on the insurance that comes with my bank account.
Car insurance is similar. I just bought a camper can. Several insurance companies would not consider me at all. Some quoted up to £800 for the year. I finally found one that charged under £250.
I haven’t even tried to find medical insurance in UK. Even without Bipolar, it is too expensive for me to afford on my bipolar reduced income.