Can I have a vent....

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

hmmm, this website suggests the OP's problems of not being able to get health insurance are not unusual

Maybe this might be worth a phone call?

http://www.immigrationhealth.com/

[KandD 1]

Ok, I just found some info...

Some common reasons for declination/deferrals of coverage

* currently pregnant or an expecting father

* multiple medications especially brand name

* recent (last 6 months including physical therapy) injury

* recent (last 2-3 years) treatment for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, immune system disorders, or any other serious medical condition

* height/weight outside guideline range

* multiple conditions/injuries/illnesses

* Health problems for which you have not seen a doctor;

* Health problems that a doctor cannot explain;

* Health problems for which you have not completed treatment.

An insurance company may also automatically deny your application for the health conditions below. There may be other health conditions that are not on this list.

* AIDS;

* Pregnancy, pregnancy of your spouse or significant other, planned surrogacy or adoption in process;

* Cancer, under treatment;

* Sleep Apnea;

* Severe mental disorders, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or psychopathic personalities;

* Heart disease;

* Renal failure or Kidney Dialysis;

* Diabetes with complications;

* Cirrhosis;

* Multiple Sclerosis;

* Muscular Dystrophy;

* Systemic Lupus Erythematous;

* History of transplant;

* Lymphedema;

* Current infertility treatment;

* Hepatitis;

* Hemochromatosis.

http://www.florida-health-quotes.com/flori...-insurance.html

So....how DO people get insurance then?

They work for big companies, this is exactly what keeps most people from becoming entreprenuers in the good ol USA

[britbird 4]

Housing would cost 23% less if you move to Indiana....

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costoflivin...p;x=41&y=10

Indiana -> LA:

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costoflivin...mp;x=49&y=8

So much for those cheap groceries we californians get!

Salary in Terre Haute IN:

$20,800

Comparable salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach CA:

$35,121.76

If you move from Terre Haute IN to Los Angeles-Long Beach CA...

Groceries will cost: 35.336% more

Housing will cost: 219.155% more

Of course...that would require having to live in Indiana...yikes!

[Kat And Russ 0]

WOW.... I knew this woul happen, there are ALWAYS people on this site who thrive on judging people's opinions!

I have left a post about this many months ago.

ANYWAY.... Thankyou to all of you that have goiven me advice and support. I decided to try calling Blue cross Blue sheild, only to find out that they TOO have weight hight ratio limits. Apparently I have to be between 97-171pounds at 5ft2 to qualify.

Anyway... Im still in same boat as I was yesterday....

Thanks agian guys.... the majority of you... are wonderful!!!

[j4k 0]

i'm not trying to be cruel here...so don't take it wrong, but it seems sometimes you have to pay the price for where you live...it's just when you don't live in a city/suburban area the pricetag on things tends to be a bit more reasonable....people can live on lower salaries and be just as comfortable as those making larger salaries in the big cities...my ex in-laws were shocked to see the kind of house they could afford here as opposed to the affluent neighborhood they lived in close (45 min) to a major us city...as for the insurance issue...sometimes when you go to school at a college or university, you can get healthcare administered on campus, if necessary. Of course, this doesn't help the issue if you should get a major illness, but again if you can find a job at the university, especially a state-run university, the benefits are usually the best you can get, not to mention all the other things available to you i.e. rec. center, library, free internet usage, things you could cut back on from home quite possibly until you can get that cushion of comfort. my old uni even showed semi-current films at the weekends and only charged a guest $1, while i got in free with my ID. allowing you a night away from reality which it sounds like you may be able to use once in awhile! not to mention other cultural/athletic/etc. events....thankfully i already have a full-time job which provides me benefits for a nominal weekly fee and my spouse (providing he cannot obtain medical etc. benefits from his own job) can be added on for a few extra dollars....good luck, you've received a lot of 'food for thought' on this thread!

[Boiler 45,402]

171 lbs is nearly 13 stone.

I can see that would be a major health issue.

Anybody else watch The Biggest Loser?

[Kat And Russ 0]

171 lbs is nearly 13 stone.

I can see that would be a major health issue.

Anybody else watch The Biggest Loser?

yet again another REALLY suportive answer! Thanks

[Amby 490]

Housing would cost 23% less if you move to Indiana....

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costoflivin...p;x=41&y=10

Indiana -> LA:

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costoflivin...mp;x=49&y=8

So much for those cheap groceries we californians get!

Salary in Terre Haute IN:

$20,800

Comparable salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach CA:

$35,121.76

If you move from Terre Haute IN to Los Angeles-Long Beach CA...

Groceries will cost: 35.336% more

Housing will cost: 219.155% more

I know people (not a lot of them) that do NOT live at home and live in LA and make $10-12/hr so it is doable. Is it easy? NO! But they can do it

edit: double post

but two people making $10/hr = $20/hr I think it's probably doable. can't be over the top with purchases but in certain parts of the country it is very livable

Wouldn't even cut it in Cincinnati, let alone a bigger city.

I suppose it would do if one still lived at home with mom and dad and had no real responsibilities.

I was just making a general statement, and I clarified that it was related to HERE, where I live. Not that it's anyone's business, but both Mags and I make more than $10/hour, since it seems that some mistook my comment. I was merely saying - since the OP was feeling pretty crappy about the US (which I can understand) - that other parts of the country probably have a lower income than where she is, but the cost of living is much lower, too.

$20/hour here (2@$10/hour) for a normal week is very adequate. The average 2bd/2ba apartment is $500-$650/month. Housing is generally 25% of your income. There's your 25%.

I would suggest not talking so disgustedly about "only" making $10/hour....I'll bet there are more than a few people on VJ who are making that or less. Making comments about "living at home with mom and dad" and such is really uncalled for.

Wow, accomodation is really cheap where Rocinante lives ..... in Atlanta, for a 2bd/2ba apartment around that price, I'd need bars on my windows, armed guards, and a bullet proof car

I couldn't even find apartments for that price in Seattle and Las Vegas back in the 90's.

So, the low down is ...... in Indiana, overwieght people can get health insurance ..... and you can survive on $10 an hour ...... maybe we should all move to where Rocinante lives??? ..... could be cozy B)

...... by the way, I'm having a laugh .... I'm not being mean, ok? .... so, no chewing my head off this time.

are you and illumine friends? if not, you should be! you can be miserable and negative together!

Edited February 22, 2008 by Amber&Neil

[Krikit 1,164]

171 lbs is nearly 13 stone.

I can see that would be a major health issue.

Anybody else watch The Biggest Loser?

That was completely unnecessary.

[Amby 490]

171 lbs is nearly 13 stone.

I can see that would be a major health issue.

Anybody else watch The Biggest Loser?

That was completely unnecessary.

I agree! That was very rude and uncalled for.

[Boiler 45,402]

171 lbs is nearly 13 stone.

I can see that would be a major health issue.

Anybody else watch The Biggest Loser?

That was completely unnecessary.

I have signed up, there is a lot of good free information both on the TV programme and the web site.

https://www.biggestloserclub.com

[Amby 490]

riiiiiiiiiiiiight. I think most people on the biggest loser tv show are way over 40-50lbs overweight. good try to cover it up though

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Oh GEEZ people.

Kat - this is all hard stuff. Anyone who has upped and moved to a foreign country knows how hard it is, stuff you took for granted seems that much harder. I think you may want to consider a job that offers insurance instead of trying to do it independently, even if it means giving up a job you seem to enjoy (in spite of the hours). You don't want to be without it! I totally understand why you would be negative and it's been less than the year, with the first year being especially hard.

Are you in Orlando? There are a few big companies there that offer good opportunities and benefits (Disney, Darden restaurants and few others) - don't know what you do. Also, temp agencies usually offer health insurance after a few months. And the suggestions about universitiy jobs are good too.

[Boiler 45,402]

riiiiiiiiiiiiight. I think most people on the biggest loser tv show are way over 40-50lbs overweight. good try to cover it up though

240lb would be nearer the mark in some cases, especially the men.

The amount is not in itself relevant, you need to take into account height, frame and body mass. You get an indication free on that web site.

But the principals they give, especially diet advice, exercise, life style etc etc are good no matter what.

There is another show on BBC America, forget the name, the Presenter does basically the same thing in 30 minutes. One trick she has is that she gets details of their last weeks food intake and puts it out on the dining room table.....

Really brings it home the ####### we eat.

Or you can just ignore it and put it down to glands.

[Amby 490]