Actually using insurance. - Health Insurance Issues Message Board

ffsmith · 08-16-2003, 05:29 PM

Actually using insurance.

I am the stupidest person in the world when it comes to insurance.
I can read it 100 times but it never sinks in.
I lost my job and feel very bad.
While I had my job I tried my hardest not to use my insurance.
I did use it though to see a therapist.
I still think that might be why I lost my job

Anyway now I am wondering if it makes sense to at least look into checking into a hospital
Or seeing doctors for other things that have been bothering me but I was to scared to do.
These include some very bad tooth pain and some skin conditions that do not hurt but that I spend A LOT of time worrying about.

I would appreciate any advice. Hopefully before I loose my insurance.
thanks

oh one more thing.
I guess part of the question is if I use it a lot now will that effect my chances to ever have a job again?

[This message has been edited by ffsmith (edited 08-16-2003).]

Mishaken · 08-19-2003, 07:59 PM

Please make sure you attend to all of your health needs and concerns while you have your insurance. Using it will not leave anything on your permanent record that will follow you to a new job. It will become part of your medical history which at times health insurance companies will inquire about. However, most employers health insurance group policies will add you blindly without a whole lot of questions, it is usually part of the group contract with the employer.

If you are not comfortable dealing with insurance you're in good company with a lot of folks!

You insurer should have given you a booklet of some sort listing who your providers are in your area (doctors, hospitals and such). Choose a doctor from this list or start calling doctor offices and ask if they accept your plan. If they do they will most likely file claims for you (big plus) and can help you by making sure you're precertified before any surguries or diagnostic testing.

I bet that addressing some of your health issues will also relieve a lot of the stress you are experiencing. If you are still seeing a therapist you might talk to him about your stress level and how concerned you stay about healthcare and insurance issues.

ffsmith · 08-19-2003, 10:39 PM

Thanks for the reply.
She kind of knows that I do not understand insurance, because she keeps track of what I have left to see her and also makes me pay at the end of each visit.
She might not understand fully how much it bothers me.

I actually did e-mail a dermatologist just today
But they did not reply

I will try and do something though.
Or at least investigate the costs and stuff.

I am kind of in a bad mind set
But the good part is I am doing thing that for me would normally be “crazy”

oh i looked for that book but i think i lost it.
i will look again if i get energy.
with my luck it is probably at work
gone forever like my life.

[This message has been edited by ffsmith (edited 08-20-2003).]

Mishaken · 08-20-2003, 06:56 AM

Check the internet for a listing. Do a google search for your provider and there is usually a link for provider searchers. Also, check your insurance card, if it says ProNet (the biggest one I think) then that is definitely online. I can get the addy later. I'm about to be late though so I'd better run. Good luck.

ffsmith · 08-20-2003, 10:44 PM

It is HCN and you can see my state.
I found a sight where you can look up doctor names
and hospitals and clinics
but nothing says what the doctor does?
there are two clinics with "derma" in the title
i guess i should just try those.