Temporary Insurance (should I wait to get tested)

[TimN]

Good morning, I was hoping to get some feedback from you guys. I'm 25 and over the past few weeks I have had a dull ache in my right testicle and have noticed a definite lump. While I know this should be checked out I have a bit of a delima. I recently changed jobs and am on a 6 month continuation of my old insurance. If I get an exam now and am diagnosed with cancer, would it be impossible to get coverage after that 6 month period? Should I wait to get it tested until the first of next month when I can get on more permanent insurance or should I go now? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Scott]

I wouldn't wait. Your health has to come first. Also, if it should turn out to be cancer, the sooner you catch it, the less treatment -- and expense.

[JRush]

Thats a tough question but the only smart answer is get the test done as soon as possible. The longer you wait the more it can spread. Mine had spread into my left lung by the time I was tested. I'm facing problems getting insurance because of my cancer last year and have been turned down by every comany I've checked with so far but the bottom line is I'm still alive! Get to the doctor and get tested and get this under control before it progresses. It's like a forest fir, the longer you wait the more it spreads and if you wait to long it could get out of control. Get the test done!

[TimN]

Thank you both. That's what my gut's telling me as well. I'll schedule this morning.

[Hopeful]

Get to the doctor. IF $ is an issue, there are alternative sources, ie the Livestrong foundation.

For folks who need insurance after cancer, keep checking around. Especially check with your state. The state of Colorado offers insurance for 'high risk ' individuals.

Patti

[Jilleighn]

Will there be any lap intime when your new insurance will kick in? Reason I am asking is because my husband left his old job in May of 2004 but we kept paying the coverage on the insurance until the new one would kick in 3 months later. (sept 1st to be exact) Well on August 23rd Eric wen to the doctor to have his testie looked at and had all the ultrasounds/CT and surgery done on the "old" insurance. Eric was to start Chemo on Sept 13. Our new insurance took into effect on Sept 1st. Since we never went a day without insurance the new insurance coule not claim pre=existing condition and was force to pay. It was a law that took effect. As long as there is no lap or dead days then the new insurance when it kicks in should cover the cost.

[shenanigans]

For what its worth... I had probably the worst insurance you can actually pay for.(think after it was all said in done tey covered about $3k of my bills)

At my peak, I was owing $197,000 but now I am way down, I think I am down to around $10-15k now. I think I personally paid out about $7k of my own money(minor stuff and rent/day to day bills)

So through the whole deal, money should not be the biggest worry. the hospital wrote of the biggest chunk of my bill.

I was 23 at the time of it all.


I mean obvioulsy do whats neccesary and financially smart. But when it comes down to it, their is nothing to really worry about. Even though our healthcare system is really messed up. In the end, no matter how poor or financially messed up you are, you will be treated with some of the best treatment availible in the world.

I made $7k last year during my cancer bought, had crappy insurance that paid for nothing, and here I am not even a year after my treatment ended, and I am healthy my FICO score is a 780 last I checked.


Get it check ASAP, if they catch it fast enough, you won't need to go through hardcore chemo if it hasn't spread much. And through my experience, thats where my big costs came from(I think I was averaging around $40k a round?)