HEALTH INSURANCE
Health Insurance And Food
As a general matter, health insurance does not cover the cost of food or even the extra cost of gluten-free food.
If you have a tax advantage account such as a Health Savings Account, you may be able to pay for the cost difference between regular and gluten-free food from the account. To learn more about Health Savings Accounts, click here.
Health Insurance And Medications
It is not unusual for an insurance company to insist that a generic version of a drug be substituted for a brand name in order to be covered.
Check with a knowledgeable pharmacist to find out if the drugs that would work for you contain gluten.
If it turns out that the generic version contains gluten, ask your doctor to call the insurance company and explain the situation. If the doctor doesn’t get approval, and suggests another medication that does not have gluten, ask the doctor to either explain why the other medication is just as effective or to call the insurance company and appeal.
If the doctor won’t appeal for you, call the insurance company yourself or ask a friend to do it for you. Ask to speak with a supervisor. Explain that it is a “medical necessity” that you take the medication and that if you take the medication, you will have an autoimmune response which will make you sick. Does he or she have a different drug that has no gluten in it to recommend that is covered? If not, ask for an exception. If it is denied, appeal. (For tips about appealing health insurance claims, click here)
If you don’t have health insurance, it is worthwhile doing what you can to obtain it - whether it is private coverage, Medicare or Medicaid. Click the link for information about obtaining health insurance including private coverage as well as Medicaid, and how to maximize use of health insurance.
TIPS
Look for a celiac friendly pharmacist.
Health Insurance: How To Obtain Despite A Health Condition
To learn about how to obtain health insurance despite a health condition, click here.
Health Insurance: How To Appeal A Denied Claim
To learn how to appeal a denied health insurance, claim, click here.