Randall Said:

Pre-existing conditions and gynecological exams/routines-How do health insurance companies view gyno routines?

We Answered:

Pre-existing conditions are not excluded when you go from group policy to group policy as long as there is no break in coverage of more than 63 days.

However, when you go from group to individual, they can have a waiting period or be excluded with the individiual policy. When you got the new coverage, they should have told you what condtions were on a waiting period or excluded.

If you are only going for a routine Pap and such, there should not be a problem. But it might be prudent to call the insurance to see if there might be a pre-exisiting possibility. You say you think you went there 6 months ago and you think the insurance covered it. If this is a routine exam you are trying to get, the other must not have been-routine, or if it was, and you have another, the insurance may not cover it. They are usually only covered once a year.Your insurance can tell you what you went for and if it was covered. This will give you a better idea of what you may be responsible for.

Ruth Said:

Unicare Health Insurance, What are the limitations on Organ Transplants that Unicare provides?

We Answered:

You are not going to get a good answer here. Shoot I have their medical insurance and still do not know that.

Best to just check their web site, or better yet just call them. That is not something you want to be wrong about.

Stephanie Said:

do you think it is fair for us americans to be fined for not having health insurance?

We Answered:

I think it's fair if they offer you a feasible way to get it. It seems to be an issue in some cases where they say you can afford it but the person says they can't, then the person says hold on a sec. I have got to take this call on my blackberry.

As I said, if they give you a feasible way to get it. I'm in MA. there is already a fine in place for those that don't have it. There is not always a feasible alternative either. There are those however that live beyond their means and say they can't afford it. With the federal plan, it will be cheaper to pay the fine then to get insurance for many. If you don't have insurance, once the federal stuff kicks in, the government will pick up the cost. You are in the boat that many are and that is the reason that this has all come to pass. I wasn't trying to offend or make light of you or your particular situation, sorry about that.

Marian Said:

Which health insurance should I choose for my daughter?

We Answered:

I have Unicare on my daughter. It has been fine so far, but they are really picky on which prescriptions they pay for. They want to make sure you have tried the OTC versions first. Then, they might make the dr/nurse write out why the OTC and other things you have tried haven't worked. Then, if you don't get generic, the co-pay, to me, seems expensive. That's the only problem I have had so far with them, though.

Wilma Said:

How do health insurance plans apply a deductible to prescription medicines?

We Answered:

That's where the insurance company gets you. Yes, you pay out of pocket entirely until you meet your deductable.

The next time you get a prescription make sure to ask your doctor for a medication that has a generic available. Levaquin has no generic as of yet, but a drug in the same class called Cipro does, and that little change could've saved you from having to pay out of pocket, you would've paid just your generic copay.

Unfortunately, if you don't know much about medications, insurance companies can get out of paying for medications.

Always ask when your bill is high if there was something similar your doctor could've written that would save you money. The pharmacist can always call your doctor and request that a medication be changed.