Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis Support Group

The ADA just provides protection to Americans with disabilities. It dictates that your employer make reasonable accomodations at work to help you deal with your disability. FMLA is the Family Medical Leave Act which allows you to take up to 12 weeks of leave per year w/o getting fired. If you don't actually have an employer, these things aren't of any use to you. They're legislation to help folks with disabilities hold on to jobs.

I don't know much about ADA. I have UC, but I don't consider myself disabled, although some people have IBD to the point where it is disabling.

There is also something called Short Term medical insurance which usually covers you up to 3 months or 6 months, depending on the plan. It's intended for people in between jobs, people just out of school, people who are in their waiting period before their insurance through their employer kicks in, etc.

Depending on the plan, they may outright deny you due to the IBD, however, some plans may issue you coverage but consider your IBD a pre existing condition and not pay any claims for the IBD. It would cover non pre existing conditions, according to the terms of the specific contract.

You are probably better off looking for a privatized short-term insurance plan. Better yet, does your school that you are doing the externship for offer student insurance? That was how I was able to do my internship... usually when they have student plans they buy in block and pre-existing conditions aren't issues...

This is all so overwhelming. I thought everything was in order until August when I was diagnosed and now it seems like its all slowly going down hill. I'm trying to stay upbeat and positive but believe me...it's tough. And on top of that...after feeling good for a while now...i'm experiencing some stomach pains..I'm lucky that my condition is very controlled and does not affect me ALL the time but when it does..biy dies it ever!...its more annoying than anything. UGHHHH!!!!!