Help! I can't get health insurance?

Question: I have applied for 3 different health insurance plans, and no one will cover me because I have a genetic condition. I never had insurance as a kid, because my parents are self-employed and couldn't afford it. I am now a college student, and just &*#$%! happened to be diagnosed with this condition before I got insured. So now I have to wait until I graduate and get a full-time job with benefits? It is just so unfair... what am I supposed to do? They won't even explain to me why this condition prevents me from being insured ... I don't understand it because it's not an expensive condition to treat. I just can't afford the annual doctor's visits, blood work, and my prescription ... and what happens to me if I get in a horrible accident?

Does anyone have any advice? Are there any good insurance companies out there who will cover someone with a medical condition? Does anyone here work for Blue Cross and can pull some strings for me? What should I do? This makes me want to cry.

Answers:
First, your college should have a health insurance program that any full time (and sometimes part-time) students can join. So, that would be my first recommendation.

The problem with your condition like many others, is that it MIGHT lead to other problems, or you MIGHT be more prone to other problems, and insurance companies do not like "might"s. They use large numbers (of insureds) to eliminate (or more accurately establish) the problems for which they are going to have to pay. You change that equation in an unknown way, so they do not want to get involved. They are a business, not a charity or social program, so that is understandable. You would not do that for a stranger. and you should not expect them to do it for you.

However, you do have one chance, if the school's insurance is not an option. Starbucks. Don't laugh, its true. Starbucks is the only employer who provides health insurance for ALL of their employees both full and part time. For them its a question of principle not business. So, if you can get a part time job at any Starbucks, they will give you health insurance.

Finally, don't try to conceal the information on a health insurance application. You are already in the system and ALL the insurance companies trade that information to each other. So, your condition will be known - and you will be black balled forever - and if you get insurance, when you have a claim it will be discovered and your insurance policy will be declared void, so you will wind up with no insurance coverage even though you have been paying the premiums.

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Man, that sounds like a horrible situation. I'm so sorry that you are having such a hard time. I don't know anything about the health insurance industry, but my only advice is to continue to support politicians who support social health care.

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