Featured Article:
Living Uninsured
Sarah's cystic fibrosis doesn't get in her way most of the time. It didn't stop her from a lifelong pursuit of horseback riding – 4-H, barrel racing, and, these days, jumping. Nor did it stop the young woman from carving out a real estate career for herself. Most recently, her CF is actually informing the 31-year-old's efforts to establish a non-profit organization for families unable to pay their CF-related medical bills.
Sarah is no stranger to the threat of mountainous medical bills. She lost her own affordable health care coverage at 23 when she fell off her father's policy. As one of the 47 million Americans1 who are uninsured for health care, Sarah understands the challenges she now faces.
“I've made too much to be eligible for state insurance, but I don't make enough to pay the premiums of private insurance,” says the sole proprietor, who faced dramatic business challenges in the last year when both her health and the economy took a turn south.
Last year Sarah, who says she's been “blessed” with relative good health her whole life, (something she attributes to a very active exercise routine), got sick. When her CF-related health issues landed her in the hospital, Sarah's real estate business downshifted into low.
With no steady income, Sarah became eligible for her state's insurance program, which allowed her to receive the medical care she needed, and covered the expense of that care.
When someone with CF decides to pursue self-employment, which allows ultimate flexibility when trying to accommodate doctors' appointments, in-hospital tune-ups, and unexpected health issues, health insurance options can be challenging.
What that means for young adults, like Sarah, who leave the safe harbor of their parents' health care insurance for an independent adult life, is the need for careful planning when choosing health care coverage. That choice frequently involves deciding whether or not to work for yourself. Should you choose to work for someone else, keep your eye on your future health as well as on the health care coverage your prospective employer is offering.
- Source:
- U.S. Census Bureau News (2007, August 28). U.S. Household income rises, poverty rate declines, number of uninsured up [electronic version]. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 27, 2008 from http://www.census.gove/Press-Release/www/releases/archives
