Retiree With Rare Debilitating Disease Fears Her Insurance More Than Her Illness

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 20 Sep 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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"I have a very rare and incurable disease called systemic mastocytosis, which very few doctors even know about," said Juanita Anderson who resides in Los Angeles, California.

"It has changed my life totally. I had to stop working last year when I was 62 and able to retire. My health insurance is very expensive and is taken out of my retirement check. I spend a lot of time in the emergency room and have had to call 911 for help on more occasion than I can remember. This disease just takes your life away from you."

"I live on $1,500 a month - a mix of Social Security, pension, and help from my family. For the first three months of the year, I had to put my medical costs on credit cards until my prescription drug coverage starts."

"Last year, my premiums were going to double so I switched to a plan that was $30 to $40 cheaper but I am worried that the coverage won't be adequate. And the medications I have to take are very expensive because I can't take generic drugs; they all have to be name brand."

"I've lived with this disease since the year 2000. I know that I am one of the lucky few Americans who even has retiree healthcare, through my union. Without health insurance I would be dead now I'm sure. I still live in constant fear that the premiums and plan can change at any time, or be eliminated altogether."

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