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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (July 21, 2010)
Page 14 îlfe jJortlani» (Observer July 21.2010 H ealth ] MAT T ERS New Recession Rule.’ Don't get tests while shopping for health insurance A nn B renoff F or the P ortland O bserver Most people rush to schedule as many medical tests as pos sible just before their COBRA coverage runs out. But some experts now say that's precisely by the wrong thing to do when you're sh o p p in g for p o st-C O B R A health insurance. The problem with those medical tests is that they just might find something - - and if that something requires treatment or even the potential M M for treatment, that can make you News and World Report and against even talking to the doc undesirable to most insurers. now is a freelance writer and tor about your m edical co n But are these experts offering editor. She says she spent 30 cerns prior to the effective date life-threatening advice — time o f years advising her readers to not o f y o u r c o v e ra g e . T h e m ’s diagnosis is often a factor in skip their mammograms and get some fighting w ords, com ing advancing diseases? With that their medical tests on time — and from an insider. understood, here's what some th en re a liz e d th e new Toeing a straighter line is Rob people are saying: recessionary twist on her advice ert A m off o f A m off and Asso “A person applying for indi when it came time to shop for ciates Inc. in Bainbridge Ohio. vidual health insurance should post-COBRA health insurance. “It would be inappropriate and delay any non-essential medical “I realized that taking the pre possibly i 11 égal for any adviser to testing or prescription drug pur ventive measures I should be suggest to anyone to delay ... chases until they have secured insurance,” says Alex Maybaum, director o f consumer advocacy for AnnualM edicalReport.com. Maybaum, whose business helps people keep track o f what shows up in their medical reports so that they don't wrongly get turned down for insurance, even goes one step further. “A person seek ing individual health insurance would be well-advised to request taking would lead to a medical testing to determine a medical that their family members — par paper trail that could leave me condition. There are some states ents, siblings and relatives — also up the creek,” she said. In fact, where the department o f insur avoid any major medical testing, it did. W hen her cholesterol ance would consider this m al especially tests for diseases with measured high, it led to her being practice and suspend a broker’s a genetic component such as turned down for an individual license (if there was sufficient c a n c e r, A lz h e im e r's and policy. As a Vermont resident, proof).” Huntington's Disease.” Brink was able to join the state's Good point, Bob, but we're Yes, he says, “Even medical all-inclusive medical pool. The talking desperate people here tests o f close relatives can be insurance costs her $425 a who can't wait until 2014 — when used by health insurers as a ba month. the Obama-matic plan for insur sis for denying a person insur Even D eborah A lpert, a Los ing everyone kicks in - to get ance coverage.” A ngeles-based insurance con themselves covered. Susan Brink used to cover sultant, says “have an insur This sto ry o rig in a lly a p consumer health issues for the ance plan in place and then go p e a r e d in A O L W allet Pop. Los A ngeles Tim es and US to the doctor.” She cautions www. w alletpop. com. Even medical tests o f close relatives can be used by health insurers as a basis for denying a person insurance coverage. emails, riday August 6th, 2010: Place to be announced Saturday August 7th, 2010: Embassy Suites Portland Airport Hotel (rooms available for only $109 + tax) Cost for reunion: Classmates $65 spouse or companion $45 Please R.S.V.P. as soon as possible to E-mail to: leilablakely@gmail.com (preferable) Voice mail: Carol Erdmann 503-982-3051 Snail mail: JHS Class of 70 / PO Box 19905 / Portland. Oregon 97280 Chiropractic Auto Injury Clinic, PC Zchon R. Jones, DC 333 NE Russell St., #200, Portland, OR. 97212 (503) 284-7838 Truly making a difference in the lives o f A uto A ccident victims and Injured W orkers for 16 years. If you or someone you know has been in an accident, call us so we can help you with your needs. (503) 284-7838 We are located on the corner o f MLK and Russell Street, on the second floor above the coffee shop. I C\A >' ", «4 ■ ' s 4? > . SOW Our First Priority Dr. M arcelitte Failla Chiropractic •¡f Physician We are located at 1716 N .E . 4 2 nd Ave. P ortlan d, O R 97213 Hr W Your Care Pa lana Are# (Between Broadway and Sandy Blvd.) Russell St, 8 • Automobile accident injuries • C hronic headache and jo in t pain • Workers Compensation injuries . Call for an appointment! (503)228-6140