Insurance
Finding affordable insurance is, to say the least, a challenge for people with epilepsy. Many carriers may either refuse coverage (based on a pre-existing condition policy) or charge such an exorbitant amount for premiums and/or carry such a large deductible that purchasing their coverage ends up being beyond reach. If you are working, the best health insurance would be one you could acquire through your employer. If you are not employed, shopping around is your best bet. There are many different types of health insurance that are available to you. Taking the time to find the one that is the best match for your needs and pocketbook is essential to contracting with the best provider. The same holds true if you are looking for automobile or life insurance, which is also a difficult to purchase if you are diagnosed with epilepsy. And, understanding the laws that protect people with disabilities against insurance discrimination will be a huge benefit to you.
• US Government Guide to Understanding Health Insurance
http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Health/HealthInsurance.shtml
• The Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) protects against insurance denial:
http://www.cms.gov/HealthInsReformforConsume/02_WhatHIPAADoesandDoesNotDo.asp#TopOfPage
• Comprehensive Omnibus Benefits Reform Act of 1986 (COBRA) assures temporary continuation of health coverage at group rates following loss of employment:
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.HTML
• Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: The new federal health care reform law that will be taking effect over the next 4 years establishes temporary and statewide insurance pools for high risk persons. If you are a US citizen or a legal immigrant with a pre-existing medical condition and have been uninsured for at least six months, you will be eligible to enroll.
http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/8061.pdf
• Automobile and Life Insurance Regulations:
http://www.aiadc.org/aiapub/
• School