Insurance plan covers sleep study, please help

[mason.smith1975]

Hello,

So I just moved to Houston last month for college. I bought the health insurance plan called AIG through University of Houston which is about $500/semester. I'm having trouble with sleeping at night and I'm going to get sleep study at Memorial Hermann hospital. The cost of the study is approx. $2500 and I called AIG who said my policy doesn't cover sleep study. So I think I should buy another better health insurance plan which covers sleep study so if anyone has any suggestion about good and affordable health insurance plan, please advise me. I'm so new to Houston and don't know a lot of people to ask about this. If anyone has any advise about good place to get sleep study (if there is any place better than Hermann hospital) please let me know also. I've been researching about this issue over the last couple weeks but haven't found the answer yet. I heard about BCBC of Texas but don't know what is specific plan should I buy. If I buy the plan starting on 1/1, can I get sleep study right after that because not sleeping well at night is affecting my life a lot. I do really appreciate all replies and thanks a lot.

[chunkyfrog]

You are in Texas; you have my condolences.

[mason.smith1975]

You are in Texas; you have my condolences.

I'm reading your posts in another 3-year-old topic . well, it isn't necessary to be specific for Texas state, if you have any advice/experience about buying BSBC insurance plan (HMO, PPO), please let me know. It's kinda hard for me when I moved here and know no one.

[ems]

Mason... google Texas/health insurance companies and see what comes up. Then call several companies. Unless someone lives in your area, you won't get many replies to your post. Also, ask around at your college.

[Stormynights]

I would Google for home studies.

[bwexler]

You probably need to look into the Unaffordable Health Care Act. That is probably what you will be stuck with come Jan 2014 weather we like it or not. If you are a student, and a poor one, you may be eligible for Medicaid.
I doubt if anyone anywhere understands health insurance today after the presidents remarks yesterday and the house bill today. Things were murky on Wednesday, but today, forget it.

[49er]

You probably need to look into the Unaffordable Health Care Act. That is probably what you will be stuck with come Jan 2014 weather we like it or not. If you are a student, and a poor one, you may be eligible for Medicaid.
I doubt if anyone anywhere understands health insurance today after the presidents remarks yesterday and the house bill today. Things were murky on Wednesday, but today, forget it.

Unfortunately, since Governor Perry didn't sign up for medicaid expansion, this suggestion would mostly not work for the OP since most original medicaid laws are very strict. And sadly, because of the way the law is set up, he would most likely be ineligible for subsidies.

49er

[purple]

Call the Social Worker of the hospital you want to go to. They should have information that you need as well as applications for financial assistance. It is also possible to find the local Medical School Teaching hospital, and call their Social Worker for them to waive the cost of things. Might be you have to go to Galveston (one Teaching Hospital used to be there). Find the sleep clinic itself, call and explain your situation, impoverished student, they might have waivers as well.

It is the young who can get the big advantage from the Affordable Care Act. That is, I was once at the University of Houston. While we did not have Sleep Apnea treatment then, my difficulty sleeping was a big factor in my not being able to work (pay rent) and go to classes, study. That being work-study ninety hours a week. Thereby obtaining better paying employment. For my generation it was literally sink or swim. A minor health problem would limit us for the rest of our life. Whether the ACA really helps the younger generation is to be witnessed.

[49er]

Call the Social Worker of the hospital you want to go to. They should have information that you need as well as applications for financial assistance. It is also possible to find the local Medical School Teaching hospital, and call their Social Worker for them to waive the cost of things. Might be you have to go to Galveston (one Teaching Hospital used to be there).

It is the young who can get the big advantage from the Affordable Care Act. That is, I was once at the University of Houston. While we did not have Sleep Apnea treatment then, my difficulty sleeping was a big factor in my not being able to work (pay rent) and go to classes, study. Thereby obtaining better paying employment. For my generation it was literally sink or swim. A minor health problem would limit us for the rest of our life. Whether the ACA really helps the younger generation is to be witnessed.

Hi Purple,

Here is my understanding the ACA regarding medicaid which I invite anyone to add to or correct me on since I may be missing some important details on.

The intent was that anyone making a very low income such as around 11,000 would become part of Medicaid due to the federal government requiring states to participate in Medicaid being expanded. The carrot stick was that the federal government would pay for 100% of the cost for the first 3 years? and then 90% afterwards.

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your point of view, the requirement was struck down by the Supreme Court. As a result, anyone who would have been eligible for medicaid, is now ineligible for subsidies due to the way the law was set up. By the way, speaking of changing the law as Obama did with the cancelled policies, why this wasn't addressed, is beyond me because now, these folks are royally screwed in my opinion even though they would be exempted from the penalty for not having health insurance. But as we all know, that is not a good thing long term.

Since most young people make very little money, I fear that in the states that did not sign up for medicaid, that this is greatly going to effect them. I hope I am wrong.

Great advice on suggesting that the social worker of the hospital be called.

49er

[StuUnderPressure]

If he moved to Texas just to be a student there, his legal state of residence would not change.

So, he may not even be a resident of Texas.

[49er]

If he moved to Texas just to be a student there, his legal state of residence would not change.

So, he may not even be a resident of Texas.

Great point!

49er

[chunkyfrog]

All insurance companies have numerous benefit packages.
Being in a group (like at work or school) may get you lower premiums,
but that generally comes with higher deductibles and copays.
BCBS has been around a long time--used to be one big respectable company;
the name is for sale to any shyster outfit that can fork over the money to the big shots
that own the name, and the declining reputation.
IMHO, Texas is not the best place to live if you are poor.

[VikingGnome]

If you are college-aged (less that 26), you can still be on your parents plan under Obamacare.

[bwexler]

The varied and interesting responses here proves my point, no one understands what is currently happening with health insurance.

The affordable care act never addressed making care more affordable. It only attempted to make insurance more available.

It currently does not seem to have accomplished either.

If you are one of the 26,000 who have put a plan in your shopping cart, and may still be debating weather to pay for it, you at least feel more secure than the five million people who have had their policies cancelled.

[ChicagoGranny]

IMHO, Texas is not the best place to live if you are poor.

True if you are poor and intend to stay poor.

Not true if you are poor and are looking for a chance to work your way out of poverty.