My Crohnstipated Life

Despite the curve balls hurled at me in life, I strive to stay positive. With each challenge I really try and practice mindfulness, thankfulness and gratefulness.  With that being said, today’s topic is Health Insurance. Something I have been battling for the last 5 months. I am 49 years old. I am not yet Medicare or Social Security eligible so that leaves me only one choice and that was to take Cobra from a previous employer due to my current employer offering no benefits at all.  Now medical insurance is awfully important for someone like me, with a chronic, incurable disease that requires treatment every month – therapy with a price tag of upwards of $5,000 per injection.  So, despite selling my personal belongings just to pay the $650 per month, feeling well is a necessity I really can’t dispute. 

Autoimmune diseases are so damn rough. Crohn’s disease is especially taxing for anyone that is a foodie, or who…. eats. I’m constantly tired, memory gone, unable to concentrate, constantly battling stomach issues, and wondering how I’m going to feel after eating food. And another one of my favorite sayings “where’s the bathroom?”  I have enough problems on my plate to worry about everyday, and it’s unfair when my disease takes up the majority of my energy. I support myself and unfortunately I still need to work, eat, sleep and have a somewhat of a social life. Having to deal with all that then top it off with trying to figure this insurance thing out is near next to impossible.

My Cobra will run out in July 2019, and it’s leaving me in somewhat of a panic solely because I know, well I think I know,  my only choice is Obamacare or whatever they are calling it these days. I have never had an HMO and particularly don’t care for someone telling me who I can see and who I can’t. And to be made to obtain a referral to see any specialist, well shit, all of my doctors are specialist. So, does this mean I have to have two medical appointments just to see a specialist, one to the doctor for the referral then to the specialist. Then two co-pays to boot? I call bullshit on that, but what do I do? The days of money abundance are over and my budget has become very tight, so am I being forced to choose Obamacare? Well, according to the U.S. Government, yes! Without Cobra, one needs to have a plan in place or one will get taxed. More stress a crohnie does not need on their plate. 

I haven’t chosen a plan yet, I’m hoping that some answer to all of my questions will fall from the sky and into my hands. I won’t be able to cover $650 per month anymore let alone and additional $350 per month.  Anyone else in this dilemma? What was your outcome? How do you handle a limited budget and having to add healthcare insurance to it?  I’m just sitting here shaking my head!