Philadelphia Inquirer Series Examines Difficulties Of Obtaining Affordable Coverage For People With Chronic Health Conditions

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Also Included In: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP;  Crohn's
Article Date: 01 Oct 2008 - 6:00 PST

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The Philadelphia Inquirer on Tuesday -- in the second article of a series titled "Falling Through: Casualties of the Health Insurance Crisis" -- examined how people with chronic illnesses face challenges in obtaining affordable health coverage.

The article profiles a small business owner who allowed his health coverage to lapse and then was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. The man tried to purchase private insurance, but monthly premiums and copayments were unaffordable because of the pre-existing condition and he was forced to pay for treatment out-of-pocket. His children are enrolled in FamilyCare, New Jersey's version of SCHIP, but he and his wife do not qualify for the program because their income is too high. The man now is in debt and relies on discounts from health care providers, charity care, and skipping or reducing doses of medication to save money on health care (Vitez, Philadelphia Inquirer, 9/30).

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