Have noticed the quiet too! I hope everyone is doing well. I have been busy hitting road blocks while trying my best to help others receive treatment but I'm so afraid Obama Care is standing in the way. Agencies are stalling in advance of changes. Then I get to try to figure out the new system in January. Very discouraging.

So sorry to hear about that Barbie. The whole Obama Care ordeal is really frustrating and after next year I'm sure things will become even more complicated. I support the Affordable Care Act because it extended my insurance coverage for a few more years after college, allowing me to continue my treatment and surgeries. It's just unfortunate how many people are inconvenienced by it and the many more people who will be affected in 2014. I hope agencies and states get on board to at least make things easier for people.

I've been busy with a new job, but right now I'm recovering from double jaw surgery, which wasn't nearly as bad or painful as people make it out to be. But I also needed a bone graft, which kind of sucked.

Hope everything is going well with you miller23!

Red Corvette, I would be very interested in knowing how your coverage was extended. I am working with a college student who will be 21 in 11 months which leaves her with not enough time to complete her surgeries. She has no insurance but is eligible for state children's services until age 21 . I live in California. If you have any links or other info I would really appreciate it. Maybe my problem is more that I don't understand the changes. Thanks!

I forgot to say that I am glad the surgery went well and that new health laws will be good for you! I am still interested in how this can help many, who are on this site get care after adulthood. Lots of people were not as lucky and I was and still need treatment. They must have help getting this care! Anyone, who has ideas. I am running out!

Keep up the good work in school and good luck with the combining that with surgeries and treatment. I also worked, went to school and had surgery, orthodontia and speech therapy during college. Hard days but well worth it!

Hope your recovering now. Have you got many more surgeries to go? What does your new job involve?. Iv'e just been working away really but on holiday for 2weeks now, so things to get done. Trying to loose abit of weight just now. A lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I dunno wither its a combination of just getting older and side effects of the medication I take. Awell off to the gym, stay well x

My coverage was discontinued after I turned 22 because my parent is a federal employee and that is the cut-off age for insurance for dependents. I was unable to obtain insurance through the state because I was over 18 and 21. And since I was a full-time college student I was unable to get a full-time job with benefits and I couldn't afford the monthly rates for an individual insurance plan. I had just gotten my pre-surgical braces put on so you can imagine how upset and frustrated I was. I did tons of research and applied for different programs to receive coverage, but nothing worked for me.

Luckily, the Obama Care Act was being considered, which stated that dependents of federal employees would have their coverage extended until age 26 starting the following year. I guess I got lucky, but I'm 25 now so I'm trying to squeeze as much treatment in as I can before I turn 26. I still have to wear braces for a few more months and get restorative dentistry done for one or two teeth and an additional nasal repair and hopefully that's it! My new job is in retail, which I love, but the benefits programs are not the best. I have a feeling that I'm going to have to pay for my insurance myself after I am no longer covered under my parent because I don't need my treatment plan interrupted yet again.

I don't know that much about the health care laws in California but I know that Children's National Medical Center here in DC has a "charity" program and if you qualify for it, they will assist with the costs of medical services. Those kind of programs seem like the best bet for you, Barbie, or hospitals like Shriner's which do have craniofacial programs--not sure if they're on the west coast though. My college offered insurance plans (AETNA, maybe?) and I think it covered some of the surgical costs for certain procedures so that is another option. I graduated in 2011 so I don't really remember the insurance info and I don't think my craniofacial team accepted that insurance plan for my treatments so I didn't look into it that much. If I can think of any other options for you Barbie, I'll let you know. I would just a close eye on the specifics of the Obama Care legislation-that's what I did and it's how I discovered my coverage was able to be reinstated.

Thanks! I am a grandma and had excellent everything and quite happy with my outcome. I am always looking for help for younger adults who did not get the treatment they required. I thought there was something beyond affordable care and agree about extended care to age 26 AND no pre-existing exemptions! Much of the law has been good! There are so many road blocks that young people and young parents face in actually getting treatment. I am hopeful things go well for you for the rest of your treatment!