First, I wish all the best of luck to the OP. It's such a scary thing to go through, but it's something you will get through, like many others said, the outcomes nowadays are so much better than even 10 years ago.
As for the insurance, could someone explain this to me. I thought that with ACA (Obama Care) the pre existing condition was not enforceable anymore an you could get a private insurance based on your age, income, etc, not medical history. Am I wrong about that? If that's not the case, than what's the point of all this ACA nonsense to begin with. I thought that forcing me and other people to buy insurance was exactly so someone like the OP wouldn't be left out in the cold when they really need the help. Am I missing something.
Also, if pre existing conditions do not matter any more, how can the insurance company raise the premiums for the company the OP would be working for. It doesn't make much sense to me. In any case, take care of your self first and foremost.
"Health insurance companies can't refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a pre-existing condition. They also can’t charge women more than men.
Being sick won't keep you from getting coverage
Your insurance company can't turn you down or charge you more because of your pre-existing health or medical condition like asthma, back pain, diabetes, or cancer. Once you have insurance, they can't refuse to cover treatment for your pre-existing condition.
This is true even if you’ve been turned down or refused coverage due to a pre-existing condition in the past.
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) also can't refuse to cover you or charge you more because of your pre-existing condition.
When you get care for a pre-existing condition, you’ll still need to pay any deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance your plan requires. It doesn’t matter whether you’re being treated for a pre-existing or new health condition.
One exception: Grandfathered plans
The only exception to the pre-existing coverage rule is for grandfathered individual health insurance plans -- the kind you buy yourself, not through an employer. They don’t have to cover pre-existing conditions.
If you have one of these plans you can switch to a Marketplace plan that covers pre-existing conditions.
You can do this during open enrollment, but be sure to contact your insurance company first to learn about how and when you can cancel your current plan.
You can also buy a Marketplace plan outside open enrollment when your grandfathered plan year ends. Your plan ending gives you a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in different coverage."
Eh yeah I forgot about that change. I would still think you would want to avoid coverage gaps, unless the law definitely mandates retroactive coverage. As to how the insurance companies are allowed to calculate premiums, I guess under the new law I have no idea. I don't see how they couldn't be allowed to consider claims experience at some level, but maybe they can't do it per employer anymore. But at the end of the day they still have to make a profit otherwise why bother?
> I would still think you would want to avoid coverage gaps, unless the law definitely mandates retroactive coverage.
You do, but not for the reason you think. If you have a coverage gap of more than three months you'll see a fine added to your income tax at the end of the year, which for most people on HN would be 1% of household income above the filing threshold[1]
As for the insurance, could someone explain this to me. I thought that with ACA (Obama Care) the pre existing condition was not enforceable anymore an you could get a private insurance based on your age, income, etc, not medical history. Am I wrong about that? If that's not the case, than what's the point of all this ACA nonsense to begin with. I thought that forcing me and other people to buy insurance was exactly so someone like the OP wouldn't be left out in the cold when they really need the help. Am I missing something.
Also, if pre existing conditions do not matter any more, how can the insurance company raise the premiums for the company the OP would be working for. It doesn't make much sense to me. In any case, take care of your self first and foremost.