Insurance ? for post ops moving to TN

Hi. I have insurance now (I live in NJ) We are moving to TN and I am told that because I had RNY I am uninsurable. I can only get a certain plan that is costly and basically doesn't cover anything. I have BCBS now.. so I don't understand why I just can't transfer coverage. Are most people just un-insured? Do you get charity care if you become hospitalized? I am just stunned about what I found out. I am healthy, weigh half of what I did over a year ago, and am being penalized for it. Go figure!

Is your current insurance through an employer or is it a private plan? When you move, does your/your spouses employer here in TN offer health insurance to its employees? I believe the HIPAA of 1996 may offer you some protection. You can check it out online at www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa Good luck! Susan

Hi Susan. Welcome to TN. That just seems illegal not to provide you insurance because of you having surgery. I guess because it is counted as a pre existing condition. I would assume that if you have BCBS now, you would be able to transfer it to the BCBS of TN plan. Have you talked to them about it? Is this private insurance? Another one you can try that does individual insurance is humana.com. Maybe they can insure you. Also, if you have insurance now and it has to be cancelled because you are moving, you can always pay for COBRA until you get a new insurance. That is really important because if you have a lapse with no insurance coverage, they will consider current medical problems as pre existing when you do get a new one. I am sorry you are having such a hard time. I hope you find something. Misty