Nicole's Story: Unaffordable Health Insurance Wouldn't Cover What I Needed

Below is another story we received about someone in Houston that has first hand experience of the worst practices of the insurance industry. If you have a story, please be sure to send it in through email or through my Facebook page. We'll read them, and if you'd like your story shared, we'll make sure to include it on our website or in a future email.

Nicole's husband served in the U.S. Armed Forces and qualifies for health coverage through the Veterans' Administration. Nicole, however, pays for her health care through a public system based on a sliding scale. Last summer, she had a medical emergency requiring four surgeries. Because of a negative experience, Nicole sought to purchase health insurance through the market, hoping she could have access to different hospitals.

The individual market offered unaffordable and stripped down health care plans. Nicole was astounded to discover that the she would have to pay premiums of at least $500 a month and spend $5,000 before her insurance company would even begin to pay for her medical care. Worse, they would not cover surgeries or any care related to the condition for which she was seeking the policy, since that condition would be considered pre-existing.

As Nicole states, "I couldn’t afford insurance for one person. And, even if I could, it wouldn’t cover what I needed."

The market failed Nicole and fails millions of Texans who attempt to purchase health insurance on their own. Even if Nicole could afford the high monthly premiums, the health coverage offered through the market would have been bare-bones, keeping Nicole underinsured.

Nicole needs quality, affordable insurance options that don't discriminate based on "pre-existing" conditions.

Stories like Nicole's are not rare.

Texans throughout the state are waiting for our nation to enact federal health insurance reform so they, too, can access the health care they need.