Who covers stepchildren on health insurance?

[nomoredrama]

Does anyone on the board cover their stepchild(ren)? If so, how does it work out for you? Do you have any problems with the BM having access to your information?

[downazzchick]

I would like to add my SD to my insurance because it is dirt cheap, but i am afraid of the BM taking advantage of this. Can someone shed some light on how to make it better?

[nomoredrama]

Downazz, I cover my SD on my health & dental insurance because it is cheaper. It is also a PPO and HMO is not available where SD resides. I am concerned about BM having access to my information though. The good thing is that insurance companies no longer use the social security number as the ID #. That change encouraged me to place SD on the insurance plan and to send the card to BM without fear of misuse. BM has been able to use the health insurance with no problem but the dentist office had 10,000 questions. They wanted my social security #, etc. In that case, I called the dentist's office and provided them directly with the information. I stressed to the dentist's office that this was my spouse's child's mother & I did not want my information shared with her.

I am concerned now though because we received letters in the mail that my company was changing insurance carriers...We were also informed that there would be a "significant" increase in the cost of the PPO. Due to the rise in gas prices and other things, we can't afford a large increase in the insurance. If the increase is more than what we can afford, we may have to drop down to the HMO. This will leave us in a bind because the company that will provide the insurance does not have a HMO network where SD lives. Based on her history, my SD's mom only takes her to the doc approximately every 5-6 years. She took her to the dentist at the end of 2002 and then again this month. She took SD to the doc in 2002, in 2007, and again this month. Also, the court order only stipulates that we have to keep insurance on her. It does not say what type of insurance....But, we would take a substantial risk if we switched her to HMO when we know there is not a network in her home state....

Decision, decisions. We go thru a lot for SD to have only seen her for 2 days in 6 years. BM did not fair as well as expected when she moved out of the continental US. Not only did it keep SD from visiting regularly with DH but it has also caused us ALL to spend more money. Let me stop there because I am getting upset again just thinking about it.

[kiaislikewhatever]

thankfully, DH has all the kids on his insurance because he is in the Army... no issues there! at least i hope not

[downazzchick]

My SD has been on medicaid her whole life because BM is on public assistance. I don't think they provide dental insurance for her though. We (Me, DH, and our kids) go to the dentist 2 times a year and more if they have cavitites. SD needs braces and her mom is not trying to get them for her. One of my kids has braces and really does not need them. SD is a little envious of this because she knows she needs them more. She asks questions about how to get them as if she is going to get them herself. She made the first step in convincing BM to take her to the dentist and i just told her when she goes to ask for a referral to an orthodontist. She said she understood. I told her what dentist we use and for her to get referred there. We're actually good if BM stays on public assistance because we don't have to pay fully out of pocket. I know this is selfish, but it is reality.

[nomoredrama]

I understand...it is all about what we can afford to pay.