Saturday, August 8, 2009

How should I start going to the doctor - Received Health Insurance after 7 years with none


How should I start going to the doctor - Received Health Insurance after 7 years with none?
An odd question, but stay with me: I haven't had any health insurance for 7 years. Now, finally with a wonderful new job, my excellent health insurance benefits start tomorrow. There is so much that I need.
When should I go to the doctor? I'm posititive they will find little things that I have had for a long time, but done nothing about - will they determine it to be a pre-exsisting condition? I mean, if I go the first day of my insurance, they will know that I had this medical condition before my insurance was in place - does that make a difference? I don't know how it works. Thanks!
Other - General Health Care - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
First of all, if you've been pretty healthy for the past 7 yrs and haven't had any nagging complaints, you probably don't have anything wrong w/ you. Second -- and I'm not sure about this -- I think a preexisting condition would be one that has been detected or diagnosed prior to receiving your coverage. Third, you should start out by finding a doctor (either a general practitioner, internist or family physician) in your plan and making an appointment for a physical.
2 :
Yes, it does make a difference. Unless you have already declared a preexisting condition which was accepted by the insurance company. So, wait till you fall sick and then go. I am sensing from your question that the insurance firm did not ask you to undergo some routine checks before issuing the policy. And you might not have declared any thing since you did not know. I suggest that you wait.
3 :
First, ask your benefits person if insurance covers existing conditions. If you work for a large company, then your Group Health Insurance probably does cover existing conditions. However, most existing conditions are those that are known, not discovered. In any case, set up a full health checkup with your primary doctor. You will be asked to spend about 15 minutes filling out a medical history of known problems and existing issues. The Doc should spend 15 - 60 minutes giving you a check-up. You should type up a page with numbered questions to ask the Doc... and he should be able to take the sheet and address each question in language that you understand. Take a notebook to write notes, and ask him to spell any word that you cannot. If he talks about illness or drugs, slow him down, write down the words, and ask him questions. Then ask him how to look it up on Google. You're not asking for "how to use Google", you are asking what keywords to use, that are related. He will probably ask you to set up another appointment with his front desk, so that you can fast, to get some blood work done. Hopefully, he will have a few follow-up visits, and may schedule you for other doctors.
4 :
Most group plans will consider something to be a pre-existing condition only if you've seen a doctor or received medical treatment for that condition within the past 6-12 months. Unless you've seen a doctor your plan should cover you with no problems.



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Posted by Health Insurance at 10:15 PM