Treatment Transitions
Leaving home for school or the workforce can bring up a lot of questions about your treatment routine. When moving to a new city, it is important to locate the nearest HTC. Take the time to visit and introduce yourself as soon as you can. Be prepared by finding the answers you need ahead of time. Below are some questions that will help you get prepared and resources to assist you in finding the answers:
If I move away from home, where will my factor be delivered? Will I work with the same home healthcare professional?
Talk to your current distributor now. Let him/her know where you plan to move and ask to walk through the process for factor delivery now. Also ask if you can be put in touch with the contact in that area if your contact will change. Schedule a meeting to get to know this new contact next time you’re in the area. Don’t forget to also ask about ordering additional treatment, too.
What about health insurance? Am I still covered by my parents’ insurance while I’m in school? What about when I find my first job?
Health insurance is an extremely important issue for people living with hemophilia. Policies regarding coverage can vary from state to state so it is best if you talk with someone from your local hemophilia chapter to find out more information on the details where you live. If this is a concern for you, make sure you start the conversation early. Ask your parents to schedule a meeting with your current insurance provider to discuss your concerns.
When you get your first full-time job, you will be responsible for your own health insurance. It’s important to understand your employer’s health benefits package before accepting a position. Remember, interviews are an opportunity for you to ask questions too. Though it’s probably not a topic for the initial interview, ask questions about benefits if you are called in for a second interview or when a company makes you a job offer. You are not obligated to raise questions specifically related to hemophilia; however, by understanding whether or not the company offers a group insurance plan and the number of days for you to be eligible for that coverage, you can make an informed decision about the position. Questions about benefits are standard when interviewing, similar to questions about salary, work hours, and dress code.
