Question: My daughter was covered under my health insurance until she turned 23 years old. I elected to buy Cobra, hoping that she would eventually get insurance when she graduated from college & found a job. She is working full-time for the federal government, but doesn't receive health benefits (she is considered a seasonal employee). Because Cobra is so expensive, I contacted PacifiCare directly for insurance. (We signed up with Cobra and simply continued with PacifiCare as the provider).
She was just denied coverage because she has been taking Lexapro since she was a teenager. I never that it would be an issue. She saw a psychiatrist 5 times when she was 17 years old. The psychiatrist told me that my daughter has a chemical imbalance and may need to always take meds to regulate the imbalance. My daughter is not bio-polar or suicidal. She graduated cum laude from college and has an active social life. As I said, I never thought in this day and age a drug for depression would keep her from obtaining insurance. Is it considered a pre-existing condition even though she has been covered by PacifiCare for 10 years? (The last 1 ½ years through Cobra, but her health carrier is PacifiCare).
Would it have been better for her to lie and cover the drug expense herself? I know you don't recommend lying, but what will happen in the future if she is offered employment? She is being responsible and taking care of a chemical imbalance and yet she'll be penalized for being truthful.