Health and Life Insurance

[Blueyedsoul]

Hello everyone. I am a new member to the site and I must say, I am a little overwhelmed. I do have multiple questions to ask so please forgive me if I touch on some issues that may or may have not been discussed in other forums.

First a little background. I am a recently turned 40 year old who has been single for almost a year. I am uninsured even though I am employed as a non-tenured contact college/university professor here in Southern California where I teach at a major medical school and junior college. I have over $100k in student loan debt and am scared for my financial future. I have very little retirement due to the fact that I am non-tenured and accrue service credits in a non-traditional fashion. I have tested negative twice through county public health... If your wondering, I am only a half hour from Palm Springs. I want/need to buy health and life insurance before I receive a poz test result. Yes, I do have to worry about a possible poz result. More on that a little later...

1) Can anyone tell me what insurance plan here in the states seems to be the most agreeable for an HIV+ person? By that I mean do you have issues with claims, treatment, medications etc? Many of my friends, one being a very famous ID specialist recommends Blue Cross since he never has his patients needs denied. Any thoughts?

2) What about Life Insurance? Since I am 40, it is now that time to think about some sort of policy to secure my families future in case I have a catastrophic accident or illness. Any thoughts on this?

Secondly, for those of you asking 'why I am worried?' here's the reason... I was in a relationship with a young man 17 years my junior. Very hot, very sexy with an amazing bareback sex life. I was the top and I never bred him. Once I found him cheating on me, I threw him out and tested neg. twice by county public health. After those tests, my mind was at ease and I recouped my sanity from being betrayed. I grew to enjoy being single again. My first hookup resulted in me playing with a long time friend where I actually bottomed. The condom broke and yes seed was spilled inside me. I waited and tested neg. while he tested poz. I never experienced any 'fuck flu' symptoms. So far so good. Although, the anxiety was unbearable at the time. Then recently, I bottomed again for a large 10.5'' black cock. Admittedly, I was high from weed, poppers and booze. We had chatted for months. When we started playing he had a condom on. In the end, he finished me with a facial just as I had wanted. Although I do not remember much of the encounter, I do remember the condom on and the lovely facial... In my mind I had nothing to worry about until the other day when he texted me asking if I wanted to be bred again. I was shocked. He must have had me confused for another hookup. That's when he confessed that he had taken off the condom during the night and seeded me twice with two loads (I did not even feel the seed)! He then proceeded to tell me that he gave me his third load on my face so that I would have no reason to doubt him while in the moment.' As you can imagine, I am shocked, disturbed and facing the anxiety all over again. I DO ACCEPT MY RESPONSIBILITY IN BEING HIGH AND NOT AS DILIGENT ON THIS. SO PLEASE SPARE ME THE LECTURE....He still claims to be neg however I do not trust that since he was willing to do what he did.

As of now, I have not tested since I am still negative in the counties eyes. I want to buy all of the necessary insurances BEFORE I test again. I recognize once I test poz (if it happens) that I will be on the counties radar as poz. If this is the result, I will most certainly be denied any coverage. Any ideas? Thanks in advanced for your thoughts and advice.

[fillmyholeftl]

Any life insurance will require a blood test. As far as other (health) insurance, they cannot deny you for pre-existing (if you are) HIV+. I advise getting another anonymous test, after waiting the 3 month window period following that encounter. In mean time, abstain or practice REAL SAFER SEX.

[TigerMilner]

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance and it has been really good through all of the last year and a half. You should definitely buy insurance now, before you test positive. If you haven't had any symptoms, you probably haven't seroconverted and thus you will still test negative on a typical Eliza test, which tests for antibodies and not virus. You will be able to get treatment even without insurance since there are many charities and organizations that subsidize the costs, including pharmcuetical companies who will give you free meds if you prove financial need. AHF will also subsidize meds.

Life insurance is another matter. You can't buy it if you test positive unless you get it through a job. But, unless you have kids, it's something you can live without. I just took a new job after 12 years of making a living as a freelance artist and display designer. I did so because besides a great salary, they are giving me amazing benefits including long term disability coverage and 5 times my salary in life insurance. Because I am poz, I need this kind of security in case the day comes when I can't work. I really understand your concerns, but it does sound like you are in a position where you might be able to find a better job. Even if you stepped back to teaching high school instead of college, you could get really good benefits. And HIV is not really that easy to get. Ask a bug chaser. If got it from two unsafe encounters, you are the most unlucky man I've ever heard of. Yeah, I know, it only takes one time, but chances are, you are fine.

Edited August 2, 2013 by TigerMilner

[MexPigMaster]

You should think about moving to New York. If you are POZ, you are qualified for ADAP

[TattPig]

Health insurance varies from state to state. Each state has different regulations. You can't get any real input on such a thing in a forum like this. Whatever my experience is with health insurance, it can't be applied to you because I live in a different state. You need to do research in your own state--something like the state insurance commission website is probably a good start.

[Guest mspchaser]

I'm a gov't employee and get health and life insurance, no questions asked and regardless of pre-existing conditions.

[Blueyedsoul]

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance and it has been really good through all of the last year and a half. You should definitely buy insurance now, before you test positive. If you haven't had any symptoms, you probably haven't seroconverted and thus you will still test negative on a typical Eliza test, which tests for antibodies and not virus. You will be able to get treatment even without insurance since there are many charities and organizations that subsidize the costs, including pharmcuetical companies who will give you free meds if you prove financial need. AHF will also subsidize meds.

Life insurance is another matter. You can't buy it if you test positive unless you get it through a job. But, unless you have kids, it's something you can live without. I just took a new job after 12 years of making a living as a freelance artist and display designer. I did so because besides a great salary, they are giving me amazing benefits including long term disability coverage and 5 times my salary in life insurance. Because I am poz, I need this kind of security in case the day comes when I can't work. I really understand your concerns, but it does sound like you are in a position where you might be able to find a better job. Even if you stepped back to teaching high school instead of college, you could get really good benefits. And HIV is not really that easy to get. Ask a bug chaser. If got it from two unsafe encounters, you are the most unlucky man I've ever heard of. Yeah, I know, it only takes one time, but chances are, you are fine.

Tiger, and everyone else... thanks for the advice. If you think I am unlucky in the sex department, you should see me with cars. It's truly an unmitigated disaster. Even my parents (who are very supportive of my sexuality - although they would be mortified to know my penchant for taking raw big black cock from time to time) shake their heads when it comes to my luck. My brother on the other hand - born with beautiful genetics and some of the best good luck I have ever seen. As for me... cars, men, good sex have all alluded me. If I receive a poz testing... look out! I think becoming a private cum dump in my local gay mecca of Palm Springs is in order. Thank god I live close to West Hollywood, San Diego and Palm Springs.

[Man4manplay]

Depends on the state and life insurance policy/coverage you take. My master has a life insurance policy for all his slaves I think the company is called National life insurance or something like that, is very cheap like 50 dollars a month they dont make any test ( you do have to sign a sworn statement you dont have any of the preexisting conditions listed in with HIV/aids is one) and a beneficiary. Depending on how much you want your beneficiary to receive in case of dead the policy goes up and or you need extra test.

[fskn]

This has all you need to know about individual (not employer/group) health insurance in California going forward: http://www.coveredca.com/news/PDFs/CC_Health_Plans_Booklet.pdf

Through December 31, 2013, U.S. health insurers still do have the right to deny individual coverage on the basis of a medical review. After that, new Obamacare plans take effect; there is no medical review and no pre-existing condition exclusion. "Covered California" is the name of the health insurance exchange through which those plans will be sold in California.

U.S. employer/group plans do not feature a medical review but may, for the time being, exclude pre-existing conditions. If you need coverage for the rest of 2013, it would be worth checking whether either of the schools where you teach has a medical plan that you could join. Some employers do provide coverage, with varying degrees of cost-sharing, to casual and part-time employees. You could also check with a professional "guild"; these organizations sometimes sponsor group health insurance plans.

Finally, it doesn't hurt to check whether you qualify you for Medi-Cal, whether under today's income limit or the more generous one that will take effect in 2014 as part of California's participation in Obamacare.

Regarding medical reviews and pre-existing condition exclusions in the pre-2014 landscape, it is very important to read the fine print. Although the Obamacare legislation has limited health insurance rescission for several years now, an insurer can still rescind coverage if a person intentionally misrepresented a material fact when applying. Seeking diagnosis of a medical condition (in other words, getting tested) can trigger a pre-existing condition exclusion. It would be entirely possible for an insurer to request that you release test results from the county health department -- or certify that no such results exist -- as part of a review.

As you know, HIV is reportable in California. Testing in an "anonymous" rather than "confidential" center is advisable. The OraQuick rapid home test is also licensed for sale in any pharmacy. Paying cash at an old-fashioned pharmacy without closed-circuit TV would absolutely prevent tracing.

[barefootbob]

I have life insurance ($20k) through my credit union and no health questions were asked.

[Blueyedsoul]

I have life insurance ($20k) through my credit union and no health questions were asked.

Thanks again for all the advice everyone. Interesting idea on the Credit Union. I will definitely look into that! For those curious about my initial 'breeding,' I was able to ascertain my original breeding date. Thank you iPhone and my not deleting text messages. The original breeding date was April 11, 2013. I tested negative on May 13, 2013 at County Health. I know this test is pretty much invalid because it is within the three month initial period. Today, August 2, 2013, it is almost 4 months so I took the OraQuick Home Exam. Test results: Negative/Non-Reactive. For now, this gives me piece of mind. I chatted with the young breeder today and his reply was "I TOLD YOU I WAS NEGATIVE." So, as of the day of my breeding, yes - I suppose he was. He wants to breed me on a regular basis. But I am still reluctant because he said hes been breeding about two holes a week. He doesn't have papers but said the next time he would take an Oralquick Home test in front of me.... Sounds reasonable. Thoughts? My plan of now is lay low sexually for another three months, purchase the Health and Life Insurance and then go from there.

[TattPig]

I'm still puzzled by the life insurance issue. Why? You have no family (that you've mentioned) who would need it. And it does you no good. What's it for?

If all you want is something to cover funeral expenses, then those are a dime a dozen. But a real, significant life insurance policy seems like a waste of money. My job gives everyone life insurance (and health and disability), most of my jobs have had that; I have no idea how much it is (because I'll never see it). I don't even remember who the beneficiary for sure; it's one of 3 guys, but I forget which one.

[TigerMilner]

I think you are not ready for bareback sex. You can't push an ora quick home test in the face of every guy who fucks you. Not to mention, your fretting like an old lady is pretty much a turn off. It is obviously worrying you more than any pleasure you derive. That is ok, not all of us are cut out for it, if it was, then this site would called Readers Digest. Maybe you should just wait til you are in a relationship and then smother him with your restrictions and worry about that.

[Blueyedsoul]

I'm still puzzled by the life insurance issue. Why? You have no family (that you've mentioned) who would need it. And it does you no good. What's it for?

If all you want is something to cover funeral expenses, then those are a dime a dozen. But a real, significant life insurance policy seems like a waste of money. My job gives everyone life insurance (and health and disability), most of my jobs have had that; I have no idea how much it is (because I'll never see it). I don't even remember who the beneficiary for sure; it's one of 3 guys, but I forget which one.

The reason, because I have over 100K in student loan debt. If something happens to me, like a car accident or some other tragedy, I do not want to burden my co-signers (my parents) with that debt. If your naive to think that doesn't happen well, I know plenty of colleagues who have been left on the hook as co-signers. I also would some day - regardless if I have children or not - like to leave a partner or my only nephews (one with sever autism) and my god daughters with something. Plus, why does it matter? I feel it's a necessary part of someones planning. I do not feel it is right to leave loved ones ill prepared. Does that some it up?

[Blueyedsoul]

All I can say is wow.