employer cancelled my insurance

[Unregistered]

I logged in, but the post didn't come up with my name, nor will it let me enter my name. It's the least of what is going wrong.

Specifically what my employer did was to (re)interpret certain words in the blanket requirements for eligibility to suggest that the requirements have to be met and remet every year. Specifically, as a college teacher, I must teach fall and spring to quote "initially qualify" for ins. Then, to quote "retain insurance" I must teach 12 credit hours per academic year.

This year, because of my medical problems, I taught spring and summer. That's 14 hours. The Dean was fine with that. Everybody was fine with that. Until time to renew the health insurance.

So the loophole they used is how the define the word "initial." That And they probably can. It's their policy. They are not going to say 'we're cancelling you because you have cancer'

I'm just devastated about it. I continued working through diagnosis, through surgery, through chemo and this is what I get. Another big blow. But this one feels especially personal. Like "society doesn't care about or appreciate you and your work".

I ran into this a couple of years ago when I was "eligible" for insurance through another employer. The insurance cost something like 1,056 per year and paid 1,000 per year. So I turned it down. Then I couldn't get insurance through the state because I was "eligible" for an employers plan.

It's just sick. It's all so sick. This afternoon, I felt like my spirit to fight this thing was breaking. If you have any ideas, or job leads, or just moral support please post.

[Unregistered]

My username is dilly. Don't know why that doesn't come up.

[sarah]

Dear Dilly,
This is a terrible worry. If you are in the teachers union, which I believe is a very strong union, surely they can fight this for you???
I do hope you get your insurance problem sorted out without too much distress. I hope you have someone close who can fight this for you so you can just concentrate on your health.
good luck
sarah

[Sheila]

Dilly
Contact your State Insurance Division, they may be able to help you on this. It's worth a try....we have enough to worry about without the bureaucratic insurance B.S.!

[janet/FL]

Dilly
I am so sorry you are having to go through this. Though it ended up that my insurance has paid for most of my treatment, the process/stress of getting it all paid for was about as bad as the actual treatments. Where are you in your treatments? What does your oncology office suggest for help? Perhaps there is another onc office close by that will help you find help with medical costs. The first onc. I went to wanted an arm and a leg for treatments. The next office really was willing to work with me on what was covered and not. They wrote off a few things that would not be covered. I realize you are talking NO insurance. The national or local American Cancer Society should have some information as to where you can go for help as well as this group. Many here seem to have had to fight that battle as well as cancer.
Hugs
Janet

[RhondaH]

I'm an insurance underwriter (but not for medical) and I see enough STUPID insurance commissioner complaints, but I think you may have a valid one...one thing I've found is that it doesn't hurt to check into it. I TOO would recommend you contact your state insurance commissioner (if you need help, let me know what state your in as I have a WHOLE list) and I can maybe guide you in the right direction.

Rhonda

[rosie]

contact the Patient Advocate Foundation in Newport News Virginia. They should be able to help you. good luck. Insurance is always so stressful and tricky.


Rosie

[aquinis2000]

A 1986 federal law -- the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation A(COBRA) -- and similar state laws provide for health insuance continuation when an employee quits, is laid off, or is fired for any reason other than gross misconduct.Under COBRA, employers with 20 or more employees must offer them the option of continuing to be covered by the company's group health insurance plan for a specific period -- often 18 months -- after employment ends. However, the worker must pay the full cost of participating in this coverage. Continued health care coverage under COBRA also includes coverage for your dependents -- at your cost. (Under some other circumstances, coverage may be extended for up to 36 months -- for example, if the employee dies, his or her dependents can continue coverage for up to 36 months.) To learn more about COBRA, refer to the U.S.Department of Labor website at www.dol.gov (http://www.dol.gov/).

Your state might have its own health care continuation law that provides better or broader coverage than the federal COBRA. This means it may cover smaller employers and/or provide more benefits. Your employer must follow whichever law is most beneficial to you. To find out more about your state's law, contact your state insurance office or labor department.

I know this means you must pay for it but by law they had to offer it to you, so at least you will be covered while you get this sorted out. Beats the cost of paying for the medical bills, even if it is expensive. Your employer has a legal obligation to offer it to you, so get into the HR dept and ask about it. It should be valid from the last day of coverage from the employer, and is the same insurance you have under the employer. Good luck, You have a legal right to it , so don't let them say otherwise. Good luck .and God bless. aquinis

[janet/FL]

Dilly
Just another thought. I found your diagnois on another one of your posts. If I read it right, you are just on Herceptin? If so, Genentech may well wave the cost of the drug to you. THey were going to for me if my insurance wouldn't have covered it.
Janet

[Unregistered]

Thank you for the ideas and support. I'm feeling better today. Yesterday I was feeling really beaten down. There is noone in my family to handle this stuff but me. I'm trying to stay out of the self-pity because I know it will not help one iota.
Dilly

[Joe]

YOUR EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS AS A CANCER SURVIVOR.

http://her2support.org/employment.pdf