I love what I do and I have skills that are in demand. But I don't think I could ever work freelance on interesting projects because I can't afford/manage/risk being denied or losing private health insurance.
I think most type 1 diabetics just swallow the pill and accept that they'll be limited by having to work crap jobs or for corporations because the risk of losing coverage is too great.
Well, I don't accept it. And I'm pissed. Anyone else been able to make it through this?
"I can't afford/manage/risk being denied or losing private health insurance."
I think the Obama Healthcare Act took care of that.
I freelanced for several years between 1998 and 2003. You can purchase your own health insurance plan to cover you and your family ( if you have one ).
Ya, I'm aware of Obamacare. It doesn't really address my problem except for that it would be harder to deny me coverage.
So to clarify my gripe: there's really no way to tell which insurance companies cover which pump manufacturers. So if there actually was a policy that I could afford that covered my pump I'd very likely either lose my CGM or be forced to switch pumps.
So ya, I could be open a web dev studio. If I'm willing to lose my pump, my CGM, my therapist, my kid's coverage and my partner's. And all that organic food and exercise classes would already be long gone. Ya, no biggie.
Is there even one Type 1 out there that buys their own coverage and works independently?
I’m currently on an expensive state-sponsored plan in Minnesota. I worry about choosing a new health plan under the Affordable Care Act, because will they really tell me what they cover?
I do think that you will find a new world after January 1, 2014. But unfortunately, I’m not quite sure what that world will be. But I think it will be better and you’ll have more freedom to pursue your dreams.
Wow, 70 views and only 1 other freelancer (who's not on a pump). This is proof of a systemic problem to me. Diabetics are trained to kill their dreams.
Thanks for your reply, Laddie. I am hopeful. But I'm also suspicious, disillusioned, exhausted and disenfranchised. What is one person supposed to do against a system of capitalist 'health insurance' optimized to do 1 thing: make as much money as possible off human suffering?
I have been self employed for over 30 years I have a pump, a CGM and last July I received a major organ transplant... expense for a pump is chicken feed compared to monthly transplant drug cost. My insurance covers it all....having a chronic illness is not cheep, but the Bete's has never killed my dreams.
As a child my parents always encouraged me to be as independent as possible, learn to give your own injections so you can go to spend the night parties, weekends with friends, go to college, etc. The one thing I was never told was that even though I was a unbelievably healthy Type 1 I could not get health insurance unless I was under a group policy. So....I worked for 2o years doing what I loved in a place I hated. But it has allowed me to retire and keep my health insurance with no increase in premium. We diabetics have to do what we have to do.
"We diabetics have to do what we have to do."
Disclaimer: I'm biased. The original poster of this thread is my wife.
This sentence is precisely the issue for our family. As someone without diabetes for whom diabetes is a daily concern, I object to the idea that people with diabetes have to suck it up and take it. You want to be an artist? Forget it--they don't have insurance. Starting a business? Make sure it's going to be a big one so you can get a group insurance plan.
Of course there are other situations in the world that result in greater limitations--and I'm very grateful for the advances in medicine we have access to here in the US that allow greater freedom for my wife and my family. But the emotional, financial, and lifestyle consequences that are imposed by our health care system, in addition to the constant attention to one's health that having type 1 necessitates, is at times incredibly overwhelming.
I would really like to see the health care buying collectives part of Obamacare solve this. I am just not convinced that it will.
Ruby
"suspicious, disillusioned, exhausted and disenfranchised"
+1 right here
Thanks for your reply, John, very heartening! It can be done!
Don't know if your chicken feed/ cheep pun was intended but I love it. Indeed, having a chronic illness is not cheep cheep. :)
Wyche, thanks for your reply. And congratulations on 55 years with type 1, kickin' butt!
I'm sorry that you had to work in an awful place. For 20 years. No one should have to do that.
Hi! I had to start my own company at one point when I was suddenly unemployed and needed to become a consultant to pay the rent. At that time, I incorporated (as a Delaware company, which was the least expensive way to do it) and joined the local Chamber of Commerce since that was the only way I could get insurance coverage at a reasonable rate, as part of the Chamber group. However, now there are other options - check out PEO's - those are "Professional Employer Organizations" which act as the Employer of Record for folks who work for small businesses that could otherwise not compete in a marketplace for employees who need/want great benefits. Many small businesses work for with a PEO to provide competitive benefits packages for their employees.
So don't give up on your dream! I ran my own consulting company for many years, until the number of consultants in my area dried up the pool of customers to virtually nothing, and my son started college (at which point I could no longer afford the risk of a dry spell in the income flow!) At that point, I went back to working for a large corporation, and have switched a couple of times since then, now working for a small software company that provides software for PEOs and ASOs - there are a large number of these companies out there for you to talk to!
hello, ami! i totally understand what you're saying. i am a graphic designer and one of the reasons i stay at my job is for the health insurance. however, i do it somewhat just for the convenience... i do feel like there *are* options out there and that things (hopefully) will continue to improve.
i was unemployed for a bit and found out that i could get health insurance through the state of maryland. because i am a diabetic, i was guaranteed coverage and it cost about $200 per month. the program is mhip. i don't know what state you live in, but i think it's worth exploring whether there are any programs available to you.
i also found this awesome resource/clearinghouse for artists in the midatlantic for everything from health care to legal representation. here is the link: http://www.midatlanticarts.org/resources/art_links/tech_support.html
here are the health care links:
Access to Health Insurance/Resources for Care is a health insurance resource for artists and people in the entertainment industry.
Fractured Atlas gives you a listing a healthcare options available by state.
MusiCares Foundation assists musicians and other professionals in the music industry experiencing personal, medical or financial emergency.
you don't mention what you do specifically, but i hope this is helpful!! : )
Hmm, I'm in California but still don't think this would work- when I was unemployed, I got 1800/month. If I didn't eat, have a kid or go anywhere, then I might be able to pay rent, but how on earth could I come up with 200/month for insurance, plus hundreds of dollars a month for co-pays?
That's why you don't hear about unemployed Type 1's. Because unemployed Type 1's are already dead. The pressure to fit the corporate mould is staggering.
Thanks for this, Susan, I will look up PEO's in CA.
I currently live in California. There is a health insurance policy that is available to Californians that have pre existing conditions.
It is called MRMIP. I pay about $450 per month and it covers all diabetic stuff at 80%. That included pumps and pump supplies and Finger sticks. It is a decent deal. I am going to keep it until it can be clear that the insurance companies policies through Affordable care act will cover my pump. There is no reason for me to chance if My current policy is working, so I am just waiting.
MRMIP will cover anyone that was turned down for regular insurance. They say it will continue after the affordable care act goes, but I guess the rules will have to change.
I believe most states have similar programs.
If you only make $1800 per month you can get Free insurance through the sate. And it covers everything 100%. MediCal