<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Sixteen people responded to my qestion about health
insurance.

First, I'd like to clarify that my HMO is not new.

I've had it for a few years, but did not have it 14
years ago when I was diagnosed.

  The general concensus is that your insurance can not
be cancelled due to celiac disease. "Pre-existing
condition" was mentioned by several people but that
ins. can't cancel after 6 months of coverage. Several
people said there was legislation/laws preventing ins.
from cancelling as long as premiums were paid. Several
people also stated that your ins. most likely already
knows you have CD anyway & that they keep a data base
of medical records comparable to that of your credit
rating. Two people can not understand why I want to
see a specialist since I am already diagnosed. They
suggest I should follow the gf diet to stay healthy &
cancel my appt./find a support group. One person
recommends a blood test for celiac antiboities.

Another states that we are lucky that ins. companies
know about as much (or as little) as most physicians
do about CD. Someone recommended the website
www.delphi.com/forum. It was suggested that I should
familiarize my GP with info on CD. And another person
offered help finding a support group in my area.

                                 I saw the new doctor
yesterday. He ordered bloodwork & a colonoscopy for
polyps. He will order another biopsy if he feels it is
necessary. He seems to think I am doing ok except for
occasional accidental ingestion of gluten.

                                   Many thanks to all
who responded. It's nice to know I can "talk" to
someone who really knows what I am talking about.

Linda -western NY