insurance questions
 

i will soon be having no insurance and before i get to that point i want all of the info i can get on what to do and how to get help. so any advice or information PLEASE pass it on to me. thank you!

Re: insurance questions
 

http://www.statehealthfacts.org/prof...&cat=7&ind=603

http://www.cobrahealth.com/statehighriskpools.html

Hope these links are somewhat helpful,Juanita. I am on COBRA coverage right now as our insurance was taken away by my husbands employer, but its pretty $$$.
Also want to add that Indiana is the opnly state w a 3mo. wait...the rest are 6+!
I hope you are able to get coverage!
Marcia

Re: insurance questions
 

Hey Juanita,

I am in the same boat as you and I know how scary it is. One thing I am checking into, is buying my retirement. It is expensive but, I have to decide which is better, my health or the money. There is no way I could afford Cobra, so that is not even an option for me.

Darleen has been extremely helpful to me and other people on this site and has recommended looking into life insurance. Sometimes you can cash in your life insurance to help with expenses.

I have also been told, I don't know yet how true it is, that doctors still have to treat you, insurance or not and usually at a cheaper rate.

I know many people are opposed to the new health care plan, but I think that those are also the people who do not have serious health issues. I am hoping it goes through, so even though I can't afford the high premiums of insurance, I will still have some coverage. I, unfortunatley, do not understand alot of the pros and cons of the new policy, but if it helps people that do not or loose their insurance because of health issues, I am all for it!!
Good Luck to you Juanita, maybe we can both help each other through this aspect of the journey.

Re: insurance questions
 

Juanita,

Several years ago we held a teleconference with Johanna Morales of the Cancer Legal Resoiurce Center.
She spoke on the topic for an hour.

Here is an MP3 recording of Ms. Morales' Presentation

It is worth listening to.

Regards
Joe

Re: insurance questions
 

Juanita,

When I lost my job, I got on COBRA and used it for 18 months. While I was talking with my insurance company, I learned that there's a federal program that allows people who had lost their coverage during certain time period to qualify for a reduced premium. My job loss in 2008 was just one month before the effective date (From September, 2008 to March, 2010) and my previous employer refused to continue my coverage with the reduced rate according to that law. But Blue Cross Blue Shield told me I could continue by paying the full premium. So that's what we are doing right now.

Since I've been granted a partial disability, by July (two years after I qualified) I will be able to apply for Medicare. It might just cut a couple of hundred dollars since I will have to buy extra coverage to maintain my current level of care.

There's a free clinic in our town for persons who are below certain income level but not low enough to qualify for Medicaid.

Re: insurance questions
 

don't know if cobra applies. i should explain more i guess. i'm currently seperated from my husband and am in the process of divoricing. whenever all of that is done i'm sure i will be without insurance. currently i am unemployed but am trying to find a job that i can get my own insurance.

Re: insurance questions
 

Whatever insurance you have right now, I think you are entitled to keep it for a certain period of time. Just be sure to pay it on time and always check directly with the insurance company about your status.

Re: insurance questions
 

Re: insurance questions
 

Juanita

Make sure your lawyer insists that your soon to be ex's insurance continues to insure you. See if this can be part of the settlement.

It's worth a shot.

Re: insurance questions
 

Juanita....Cobra would apply for you because it is a change of life event. You would be covered for 18 months. They only way they could discontinue it for you would be if you did not pay the coverage or if the company your husband works for discontinued insurance for their employees. That should give you enough time to find a job that would offer insurance.

Re: insurance questions
 

Juanita...Sorry I gave incorrect information. It is up to 3 years...see below.

In cases of divorce or legal separation, the dependent-spouse and his or her children can buy COBRA insurance from the covered spouse's employer for up to three years. (When employees lose their jobs or have their hours reduced, employees and their dependents can buy coverage for an 18-month period only.) Regardless of the qualifying event, COBRA coverage can be terminated by the employer if you fail to pay COBRA premiums or if the employer stops offering health care coverage completely.