Just found out I am "uninsurable" [View all]

It wasn't much of a surprise. I've had Crohn's disease since childhood. It tends to freak people out. But I've worked very productively for over 20 years (and that is after staying home raising my children when they were little). I have a great attendance record; I am on time and ready to work. And I do a pretty good job, if I do say so. I have learned to deal with some pain and inconvenience but my life is more or less normal. I don't think I am any more handicapped than someone with seasonal allergies, if that much.

Recently I found a new job - WOW! AT MY AGE! IN THIS ECONOMY! - to replace the one that had been cut 20% 3 years ago and was threatening to cut again. I had group insurance at that job but it had a $10,000 deductible and cost me $380 a month. Because of problems with my doctor and the insurance company nothing had been paid for over 2 years, not even office visits. Besides that, the job was driving me insane. It was filthy, noisy, unhealthy, lacking any hope of pay raise or appreciation. And the boss had a habit of going off now and then and screaming at me for no particular reason besides his own stress relief. I had been there almost 8 years and knew the next 8 would be the same. Monday mornings I went to work wishing I could just take a beating instead. That is no way to live.

So when the new job came along with new challenges and possibilities I decided I should go for it. So far it has been good. It is a stretch but that is o.k. Finally I can feel competent and worthwhile in my job. People who know me comment on how much better I look and what a positive move this has been.

Insurance, though, means finding a private insurance policy and my employer will cover half of the premium after my probation period. So. After hunting and looking and applying, it turns out that I am uninsurable because of the Crohn's disease. I have been referred to a risk group in my state or a federal option.

Does anyone have information or recommendations about what would be best?

I am waiting for 2014 and then for Medicare. If I can make it until then, fine. But there are a few years still to get through. I'd appreciate any insight or advice.

Thanks in advance!