KEARNEY, Mo. — A Kearney woman felt fortunate to get health insurance through a high-risk insurance pool run by the state of Missouri. But Debby Johnston says her fortunes changed this month when the program was turned over to the feds.
Johnston suffered cardiac arrest two years ago. She was then unable to get private insurance because of her health problems. That led her to a pre-existing conditions insurance plan run by the state. It was a federally-funded program through the health care law.
“It was fabulous,” Johnston said.
But July 1, Missouri, Kansas and 15 other states turned the program over to the feds to run until January 1, 2014. That’s when those with pre-existing conditions will be able to get private health insurance through the new marketplace.
Sandy Praeger, chair of the health insurance committee of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, explains why states bailed out of the program.
“There was real concern that the dollars potentially could run out,” said Praeger, who is Kansas Insurance Commissioner.
Now Johnston said she can’t find doctors in the Northland willing to take the new plan. She said she called Saint Luke’s Health System where she has received her care.
“They actually got back with me and said okay, we found out what this is. We’re not taking it,” said Johnston.
Praeger said providers should take the card.
“It shouldn’t be any different than what it was when it was being run by the state,” said Praeger.
The insurance commissioner says she has not heard complaints similar to Johnston’s although there were some delays in people receiving their new insurance cards.
Johnston said she’s paying more than $400 a month for coverage that is worthless to her.
“I can’t go to the doctors. If my heart goes, it can go at any time. I have to sit here and pray and hope that nothing goes wrong,” Johnston said.
FOX 4 Medical Reporter Meryl Lin McKean contacted Saint Luke’s Health System. A spokesperson said there must have been a miscommunication at the office level because there is no reason why Saint Luke’s wouldn’t take Debbie insurance. Debbie’s problem is solved. The spokesperson added that Saint Luke’s had not been notified of the change that took place July 1.
