Navigating the Health Insurance Maze

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When you are diagnosed with a bone marrow failure disease like aplastic anemia, MDS or PNH, you may start thinking about health insurance in a new light. Chances are you will use your health insurance more than ever before. You also may have more problems with insurance than ever before.

Typical problems patients with bone marrow failure diseases face include:

Coverage of your treatment or procedure is denied.
Your co-pay for medication is so high you can't pay it.
Your doctor is no longer in your insurance plan.
You face the possibility of losing your current insurance.

Having comprehensive health insurance is critically important. It ensures you have access to medical care you need and protects you against financial losses. Most Americans over the age of 65 are covered by Medicare. Most younger Americans rely on private health insurance they get through an employer or they buy on their own. Regardless of where you get insurance, you need to know what your insurance covers and how to make it work for you.

Unfortunately, health insurance can be quite confusing. Each insurance policy works differently and covers different things. So choosing the right insurance is not always easy. And it is often difficult to get specific information about what is or is not covered.

To help you, we have developed this insurance section. The information provides guidance and advice so you can better:

Understand your health insurance: what it covers and what it doesn't cover.

Understand your rights under your health insurance plan and your rights under state and federal law.

Navigate your insurance to get the coverage to which you are entitled.

Understand how to appeal an insurance denial and how to be a strong advocate for yourself.

Locate resources that can help you get the insurance coverage you need and provide financial assistance to you if necessary.