Going without health insurance

How several in North County cope

By North County Times | Thursday, September 4, 2008 8:15 PM PDT ∞

Staying healthy without health insurance can be one of life's great challenges. Here's how several North County people cope.

Linda Velder, 48, Escondido, data entry

Velder's husband was off work for nine months and was then rehired by his company in a different position. She continued to work part time doing data entry but the family had no health insurance.

"We didn't go to the doctor unless it was absolutely necessary and the kids weighed in higher on the necessary scale than my husband and I did. Then we paid cash or credit. Now we have insurance so we are making all the yearly appointments we missed."

 

Susan Fisher, 56, Encinitas, singing teacher

Fisher has been unable to get reasonably priced insurance since succumbing to chronic fatigue syndrome in 1982. She was turned down by the National Association for the Self-Employed, she said. Major health insurers have told her that she would need to pay at least $1,000 a month for "high risk" coverage due to her pre-existing condition. Fisher keeps her immune system as healthy as possible, through maintaining a healthy diet and taking supplements, she said.

She tends to avoid going to the doctor because of the cost.

 

Adam Haas, 27, San Marcos, student

Haas uses County Medical Services for his epileptic disorder. He works part-time and goes to Palomar College part-time. He's concerned that if he earns more than a minimum amount he will lose the county services, yet not have enough money to pay for another option.

"Doctors seem reluctant to do tests they might do if I had other insurance," Haas said. "They talk about CAT scans and other tests, then when they realize what kind of insurance I have, they say the tests aren't really needed. I haven't had an EEG since I was 16. The condition changes, so it's a good idea to have them from time to time. It feels like it comes down to the bottom line. I feel treated like I'm less of a person than someone with a respected plan. People look at me in pharmacies like I'm inadequate or I don't have a job that provides a plan."

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