Health Insurance, Accommodations, and IBD at Work

People who live with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis have more to consider when it comes to the workplace. The cost of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) means that a comprehensive insurance plan is a must, which may limit job choices. A flare-up or complication that results in absences can lead to poor performance reviews or difficulties with supervisors or co-workers. How can people with IBD cope? Three women who live with IBD, Megan Starshak, Mary Elizabeth Ulliman, and Tina Aswani Omprakash, tell their stories about missing work, being underinsured, and changing jobs while managing IBD.

Information discussed in this episode includes Clostridium difficile (C diff), pouchitis, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Help Center, IBD and the Americans With Disabilities Act, The Family and Medical Leave Act, and Financial Help for People with IBD.

Select pharmaceutical company assistance programs:

• Cimzia (certolizumab
• Entyvio (vedolizumab
• Humira (adalimumab
• Inflectra (infliximab biosimilar
• Remicade (infliximab)
• Renflexis (Infliximab biosimilar
• Simponi (goliumumab
• Stelara (ustekinumab
• Tysabri (natalizumab
• Xeljanz (tofacitinib

Find Megan Starshak on MeganStarshak.com, Twitter, and Instagram.

Find Tina Aswani Omprakash on Own Your Crohn’s, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Find Mary Elizabeth Ulliman on Instagram.

Find The Great Bowel Movement on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Credits:

Sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney. "IBD Dance Party" ©Cooney Studio.