So you’ve managed wrap your head around the different plan types and even got as far as picking the right single moms individual health insurance, and no migraine!

I’d love to tell ya that it’s over, but there’s one last hoop you need to jump through. Unfortunately, this one is a little tricky if you don’t get your ducks in a row first.

Staring at an individual health insurance application can make you feel as helpless as staring at a trunk full of groceries with a crying toddler on your shoulder, three flights of stairs up to the apartment – and no help in sight.

You will NOT freak out, you will do what you always do: produce a plan of action and get it done!

Don’t Wing it

The devil is in the details in these applications. I know your first instinct is to fill in the blanks with whatever you remember and making up whatever you don’t. But doing this could result in having your single moms individual health insurance application being delayed or even denied.

Instead, get the information ready AHEAD of time. Grabbing your medical records from your doctor is the best bet. This way you’ll be writing in exactly that which they’d go back and find.

Single Moms Individual Health Insurance: Beyond the Basics

Be ready with name, social, address and all your other basic information – and that of your child’s if you’re getting them coverage as well. Determine the date the coverage should take effect – they’ll ask for that too.

You’ll Also Want to Have the Following Handy:

• Medical history (get it from your doctor if you don’t know it).
• Specifics regarding past physicians, doctor visits, diagnoses, and medication prescribed.

If you have other health insurance, you’ll need to list them (including Medicaid) on the application. You also need to be sure and mention if you or your child has been previously denied health coverage or had their policy canceled, and if so, be sure to provide the specifics of that incident.

Don’t LIE

Whether you do it out of ignorance or fear, don’t do it. Avoid having your application delayed or denied by getting all the details right AND being completely truthful. Even if you get away with it right now, it is illegal, and the policy could wind up being terminated once they find out you fibbed (and they WILL find out).

Imagine finding out your health insurance has been canceled right after being told by the pediatrician that your child is going to need regular asthma treatments. Now you’re not only faced by the challenge of getting approved for insurance after being terminated for falsifying an application, you’re also trying to get insurance for a child with a pre-existing condition… eeek!

Dealing with Denial

Don’t despair. There are other options available if you’ve been denied. Several states offer assistance to those who are rejected due to medical conditions or pre-existing conditions.
Programs like Medicaid, prescription drug assistance, and high-risk pool coverage are designed with people like you in mind, so be sure to ask your state insurance department to find out what’s available to you.