Can I get Health Insurance that covers the other stuff but not my Bipolar?

September 1, 2008 8:46 PM

So, lets tackle this from a different angle: I have bipolar, I want health insurance, but I don't care if it covers nothing about my bipolar (Meds, Psychiatrist, Therapist or, god forbid: In-patient hospital care). Is this possible/affordable? Where do I go?

This is a new approach for me. High co-pays, high deductables... whatever. I just want something to cover me if I fall off a roof, get cancer, have a heart attack... you know the things that could cost 100k+. And I don't want to pay an arm and a leg every month

Bonus points if it does cover all or some of my possible future mandatory in-patient mental hospital visits. If not, I will just refuse to go the hospital and have my family lock me in the basement until I get better (just kidding).

posted by DetonatedManiac to health & fitness (3 comments total)

You want catastrophic health insurance. There are many, many providers. Just surf around with that term.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:09 PM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]

Check your state gov't too. Some states sponsor insurance programs. The New York one isn't terrible, and I don't think they turn anyone down.
posted by meta_eli at 9:29 PM on September 1, 2008

I second meta_ely's suggestion. Depending on your income, state sponsored insurance may be subsidized or even free. Some schools also offer reasonably priced insurance to students, sometimes through state sponsorship.

If you are looking for catastrophic insurance (pretty much only in emergency situations) there are many companies that offer this for around $200 a month, or at least that's what my husband was paying in Massachusetts.

Finaly, if you work freelance you might try the Freelancer's Union. My friends who use them have been pretty happy so far.
posted by abirae at 10:19 AM on September 9, 2008