com·mence·ment
Health Insurance
Health insurance regulations in the United States are still being ironed out, but currently you’re able to stay on your parents’ health insurance until you are 26 years old. This will ease some anxiety as you work on finding the right job, and not just the first job that will offer insurance. Be aware of your individual plan though, as many carriers will drop you on the first day of your birthday month, without notification.
When you do get on your own insurance, understand that most companies have a waiting period of usually 30 – 90 days before insurance benefits kick in. Be prepared to wait a little bit, as this is standard. Don’t cancel your coverage from your parents until the day before your new insurance begins.
If you do have a lapse in insurance coverage (currently, the magic number is 65 days or longer) insurance companies can invoke a pre-existing conditions clause. This means that when you get your new insurance, your IBD (or other pre-existing conditions) expenses won’t be covered, typically from 6 – 18 months, depending on your plan. For an employee with Crohn’s or Colitis, the costs during this time period can be devastating.
When your own insurance plan kicks in, you’ll have to deal with things like co-pays and deductibles. Learn what they are, and where your medicines and treatments fall in the coverage. Budget for these accordingly, and realize that to a point, they are just a part of being a grown-up. Don’t worry, we all pay them, and it’s never awesome, but sometimes you just have to suck it up and remember that your health is invaluable.
If you find yourself weened from your parents’ insurance and between jobs, you can take advantage of COBRA (extended coverage program), which is required by law to be offered, if you had benefits from your company beforehand. It is expensive, but often necessary, and for many IBD patients, still a much better price than many of our medications.
In general, it’s a good idea to take it upon yourself to gather information from your current and future insurance companies, so you can be financially prepared, avoid complications with coverage, and not be hit with surprises.
Social Support
Many recent college grads report higher levels of depression during this time in their lives. This is often due to the abrupt change of social situations. In college, you’re frequently around people. Even if you live alone, you’ve got people in your class, people in your building, people walking around campus, and a generally eager sense to have fun, socialize, and meet new people.
Suddenly, you’re booted to an environment where this all goes away. You are likely one of the youngest in your new office, you don’t encounter peers all the time, and you’re not being invited to parties every single night weekend. It’s a sudden loneliness, and one many people aren’t fully expecting.
This feeling is totally normal, and it takes a bit of effort to get out and be proactive about getting involved. Finding new groups will help this depression go away, which is even more important when dealing with IBD and having a social support system. It’s extremely important at this time of your life to have people you can depend on. Focus on having real life friends, and those in online communities that you can talk to about IBD.
If you’re dealing with symptoms, it can be as simple as attending an IBD or Ostomy support group, or joining a group like Team Challenge, where you’ll make friends that “get it”. If you are feeling good and are up for more, join local clubs or groups, many of which you can find on Meetup.com, socialize at a dog park, join an intramural team, or take a class. When you’re fresh out of college, others may still rely on their previous social circles, but as we get older and keep growing up, our interests change, and our eagerness to make friends increases.
If combating the post-college loneliness is still challenging, or you’ve hit some obstacles to building your IBD support system, don’t hesitate to contact a mental health professional, such as Oak Park Behavioral Medicine. The life transition, on top of the burdens of Crohn’s and Colitis can be extra hard to handle, and there’s no shame in getting mental health help.
The Best Years Of Your Life
You may have heard it said that your college years are the best years of your life. Don’t believe it. We’re having more fun right now than we ever have! You’ve got a lot to look forward to.
You’ve likely got a lot of IBD life lessons in your back pocket that will help you in the future. You’ve got lots of opportunities to get involved and make friends- maybe even network and find your dream job! And you’ve got the ability to change the world- even if you start with changing one person’s life.
The best years of your life are whatever you make them.
Congratulations, and best of luck!
*information reviewed and fact checked independently by HR professionals, insurance professionals, and mental health professionals.
The post Commencement with Crohn’s and Colitis – Part II, Health appeared first on thegreatbowelmovement.org.
