Multiple Sclerosis, commonly referred to as MS is a chronic debilitating disease caused by progressive demyelination of the white matter within brain and spinal cord.
These sporadic patches of demyelination in the central nervous system cause widespread and varied neurologic dysfunction.
MS is a major cause of disability in young adults between the ages of 20 through 40 years of age.
Exacerbations and remissions characterize it quite often leading to frequent trips to medical facilities on a outpatient or inpatient basis.
MS may progress rapidly, causing death within months or leave a patient completely disabled by early adulthood.
The prognosis varies; about 70% of patients lead active, productive lives with prolonged remissions of frequent duration.
When it comes to treating MS there are a multitude of therapeutic actions taken that are necessary for well being and ultimately survival.
Without health insurance the ability to survive is nonexistent at worst and critically destitute at best.
Finding Health Insurance Is Critical.
A properly administered managed care health insurance plan would be needed to administrate the cost of expensive but vitally important treatments.
The aim of such treatments would be to shorten exacerbations and relieve neurologic deficits so that the patient can resume a normal lifestyle.
Patients with relapsing and remitting courses could be placed on costly immune modulating therapies such as prescription Interferon or Glatiramer Acetate.
Steroids can be used to reduce associated edema of the myelin sheath during periods of exacerbations.
Other drugs that may be administered by the plan would include Baclofen, Tizanidine, or Diazepam to relieve spasticity, cholinergic agents to relieve urine retention or minimize frequency and urgency.
Medications such as Amantadine would also be prescribed to reduce fatigue, and anti depressants as well to help stabilize mood or behavioral symptoms.
During acute exacerbations, supportive measures also covered would include bed rest, comfort protocols such as massages, prevention of pressure ulcers, bowel training if necessary, antibiotics for bladder infections, and physical therapy or counseling.
Physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and support groups are also useful.
Covering a regime of planned exercise programs will also help with maintaining muscle tone and overall vitality.
How To Find Coverage.
The caveat is that unless a patient diagnosed with MS is considered HIPPA eligible and either qualifies for a Portability Plan, High Risk Pool, or Cobra then the chances for obtaining such a health insurance policy on the individual market is none.
However, there are exceptions; certain states such as Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont have to accept a MS patient in to a health insurance plan regardless of the condition, albeit at a high rate.
If cost and location is a factor check the websites from The National Council of State Legislators, Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for state specific application procedures regarding Medicaid or Medicare.
Chances are in most cases a patient diagnosed with MS is eligible to receive both benefit programs.
Also, the manufactures of Multiple Sclerosis modifying therapies offer patient assistance programs and many other drugs for free to persons who qualify.
An additional source of help can be obtained by community health centers funded by charitable contributions and by local or regional government.
Call the Federal Governments Health Resources Services at 1-888-ASK-HRSA to find a community health center near you.
Finally, there are also many guaranteed issue health insurance programs on the individual private healthcare market that is very affordable.
The trick to these policies is finding one that has specific benefits suitable for the utilization of a patient diagnosed with MS.
They are hard to find but they are out there and we can help you in this regard as well.
If you or someone you know needs help locating any of these special programs please visit our website at http://www.
health-insurance-buyer.
com and leave your contact information.
One of our licensed agents will contact you and provide assistance at your discretion.
These sporadic patches of demyelination in the central nervous system cause widespread and varied neurologic dysfunction.
MS is a major cause of disability in young adults between the ages of 20 through 40 years of age.
Exacerbations and remissions characterize it quite often leading to frequent trips to medical facilities on a outpatient or inpatient basis.
MS may progress rapidly, causing death within months or leave a patient completely disabled by early adulthood.
The prognosis varies; about 70% of patients lead active, productive lives with prolonged remissions of frequent duration.
When it comes to treating MS there are a multitude of therapeutic actions taken that are necessary for well being and ultimately survival.
Without health insurance the ability to survive is nonexistent at worst and critically destitute at best.
Finding Health Insurance Is Critical.
A properly administered managed care health insurance plan would be needed to administrate the cost of expensive but vitally important treatments.
The aim of such treatments would be to shorten exacerbations and relieve neurologic deficits so that the patient can resume a normal lifestyle.
Patients with relapsing and remitting courses could be placed on costly immune modulating therapies such as prescription Interferon or Glatiramer Acetate.
Steroids can be used to reduce associated edema of the myelin sheath during periods of exacerbations.
Other drugs that may be administered by the plan would include Baclofen, Tizanidine, or Diazepam to relieve spasticity, cholinergic agents to relieve urine retention or minimize frequency and urgency.
Medications such as Amantadine would also be prescribed to reduce fatigue, and anti depressants as well to help stabilize mood or behavioral symptoms.
During acute exacerbations, supportive measures also covered would include bed rest, comfort protocols such as massages, prevention of pressure ulcers, bowel training if necessary, antibiotics for bladder infections, and physical therapy or counseling.
Physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and support groups are also useful.
Covering a regime of planned exercise programs will also help with maintaining muscle tone and overall vitality.
How To Find Coverage.
The caveat is that unless a patient diagnosed with MS is considered HIPPA eligible and either qualifies for a Portability Plan, High Risk Pool, or Cobra then the chances for obtaining such a health insurance policy on the individual market is none.
However, there are exceptions; certain states such as Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont have to accept a MS patient in to a health insurance plan regardless of the condition, albeit at a high rate.
If cost and location is a factor check the websites from The National Council of State Legislators, Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for state specific application procedures regarding Medicaid or Medicare.
Chances are in most cases a patient diagnosed with MS is eligible to receive both benefit programs.
Also, the manufactures of Multiple Sclerosis modifying therapies offer patient assistance programs and many other drugs for free to persons who qualify.
An additional source of help can be obtained by community health centers funded by charitable contributions and by local or regional government.
Call the Federal Governments Health Resources Services at 1-888-ASK-HRSA to find a community health center near you.
Finally, there are also many guaranteed issue health insurance programs on the individual private healthcare market that is very affordable.
The trick to these policies is finding one that has specific benefits suitable for the utilization of a patient diagnosed with MS.
They are hard to find but they are out there and we can help you in this regard as well.
If you or someone you know needs help locating any of these special programs please visit our website at http://www.
health-insurance-buyer.
com and leave your contact information.
One of our licensed agents will contact you and provide assistance at your discretion.