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CalifChick -> RE: how do you react? (4/11/2008 8:12:16 PM)
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Oh no no no. A pre-existing condition is one that has been diagnosed. No one has diagnosed her at this time. He suggested it might be MS.
Okay, I'm going into fix-it mode here. Knowledge and education is what gives me comfort. If it works that way for you, then read on, otherwise, just save this for another time.
1. Have TheEngineer check with his Human Resources Department on the limitations on pre-existing conditions, if any, on their insurance plan. Many larger companies have no pre-e clause (for instance, if they have over 200 employees), or they have a reduced pre-e waiting period (such as 3 months instead of 6 months).
2. Do you have current group insurance? If so, make sure you keep it so that there is no lapse in coverage for more than 62 days. If there is no lapse for more than 62 days, then you get credit for your previous group coverage and there may be no waiting period at all. Even if you have to pay for COBRA coverage, it will be worth it to keep the time lapse under the limit.
3. Have you checked which state is more advantageous to get your divorce? Meaning the time frame. Check and see what time frame has to pass before you can be divorced in each state. And check the wording for each one. For instance, in California you have to live here for six months before you can get divorced, but you can file right away but the divorce won't be final until the 6 months has passed. In some states, you cannot file until the residency time has been completed. And check to see if your new state has a waiting period to get married again. If there is one (and not all states have them), you could always take a little trip to Las Vegas to get married.
4. You can receive treatment for MS without being diagnosed with it... how this is handled would be determined by your doctor. In order to diagnose MS, the following criteria must be met:
- Find evidence of damage in at least two separate areas of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves AND
- Find evidence that the damage occurred at different points in time—at least one month apart AND
- Rule out all other possible diagnoses
5. Review the visual symptoms and treatment for those symptoms here. The page for all symptoms is here.
6. Some information from the National MS Society that I find comforting:
- Most people with MS have a normal or near-normal life expectancy.
- The majority of people with MS do NOT become severely disabled.
- Some people have one episode of nerve damage that does not repeat itself and they are not considered to have MS.
And lastly, big hugs. Oh, one last thought. If I recall (and I could be wrong), you have diabetes, correct? If so, have you been keeping on top of your numbers? If your diabetes is slipping out of control, there is a possibility that is the cause.
I just read back over what I wrote and it seems so cold. I'm so sorry, that is not what I meant at all. When people come to me with this sort of problem, I go into overdrive on self-education; I subscribe to that whole "knowledge is power" thing.
Cali
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