OBAMACARE TO THE RESCUE

On July first the first positive action for the 2010 health care reform bill came online. The website designed for the purpose of informing the public was sent to me and it told me I could now get insurance through the governments’ new pre-existing condition insurance called GettingUsCovered.

Federal funding for the program is being administered by Rocky Mountain Health Plans. “RMHP is an independent, not-for-profit health benefits provider that has served the health care needs of Coloradans for more than 30 years.”  According to  the RMHP website.  I had until August 15^th to apply and get accepted if I wanted surgery close to September 1^st. When the opportunity first came out I was skeptical I would be able to meet the premiums for an extended period of time. Another Colorado and Federal program called Cover Colorado is for the high risk population who would normally not be able to get insurance either. Both plans stipulate the applicant can not have been insured for the previous six months. Cover Colorado however could not allow surgery for the high risk condition for 6 months after signing up. I didn’t have 6 months. My cancer was so aggressive all hope would be lost if I didn’t get it stopped soonest. At the time Cover Colorado seemed to offer substantial discounts for people with low incomes. It took awhile but I finally figured the two plans were being administered by RMHP. I called and asked about it a found that yes the two plans were being handled by RMHP and that I could start with the GettingUSCovered, keep it for six months and then switch to Cover Colorado which looked significantly more affordable.

I applied, they accepted, we jumped through a bunch of hoops getting both Denver Health Medical Center and RMHP to both admit they would and did do business with each other and voila’, I was on the road to living.

Finally, I was insured and Dr. Kim was allowed to schedule me for surgery.