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Darlene Denise · 03-08-2010, 01:48 PM

Anita: Would you be eligible for COBRA when you leave your current job? If so, you would have coverage extended for 18 months. The premiums will be higher and your HR dept should be able to give you the costs. Once that is exhausted, you will receive a Certificate of Continuous Coverage that will enable you to purchase individual insurance without any pre-existing exclusions. You will probably experience a higher premium level rating due to the cancer and then may have it re-evaluated for a lower premium once you have met their guidelines for number of years without recurrence.

Perhaps you would be eligible for MediCaid which is for low income situations. It is not the same as Medicare for seniors and the disabled. Your state may also have some programs that you would qualify for. Some employers have group insurance available at reduced hours, with the full cost payable by you. Having Metastatic BC and knowing the costs associated with the ongoing treatments, I encourage you to maintain continuous insurance coverage.

Good luck as you make these changes.

Darlene

03-08-2010, 01:48 PM	#2
Darlene Denise Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia Posts: 145	Re: Insurance questions Anita: Would you be eligible for COBRA when you leave your current job? If so, you would have coverage extended for 18 months. The premiums will be higher and your HR dept should be able to give you the costs. Once that is exhausted, you will receive a Certificate of Continuous Coverage that will enable you to purchase individual insurance without any pre-existing exclusions. You will probably experience a higher premium level rating due to the cancer and then may have it re-evaluated for a lower premium once you have met their guidelines for number of years without recurrence. Perhaps you would be eligible for MediCaid which is for low income situations. It is not the same as Medicare for seniors and the disabled. Your state may also have some programs that you would qualify for. Some employers have group insurance available at reduced hours, with the full cost payable by you. Having Metastatic BC and knowing the costs associated with the ongoing treatments, I encourage you to maintain continuous insurance coverage. Good luck as you make these changes. Darlene __________________ 12/14/07 IDC ER- PR- HER2+++ LIVER METS AT DX CONFIRMED BY LIVER BIOPSY 01/14/08 2 AC TREATMENTS-NOT WORKING 02/04/08 13 TAXOL, CARBO, HERCEPTIN TREATMENT-EXCELLENT RESULTS! 05/12/08 HERCEPTIN EVERY 3 WKS 08/22/08 BRAIN METS! 8 <5MM 09/17/08 CYBERKNIFED BRAIN METS 10/20/08 BRAIN METS SHRINKING 12/29/08 BRAIN SCAN SHOWS 1 LESION GONE, 7 SHRINKING & STABLE, 1MM ? SPOT 01/16/09 LIVER REOCUR-XELODA/HERCEPTIN 03/02/09 BRAIN SCAN 2 LESIONS GONE, 5 STABLE, 1MM ? SPOT STILL A ? 3/27/09 REGRESSION OF 2 LIVER LESIONS XELODA & HERCEPTIN 06/08/09 STUPID BRAIN HAS 3 LESIONS 06/29/09 CYBERKNIFE 07/01/09 LIVER REGRESSION NO NEW METS 07/07/09 TYKERB XELODA HERCEPTIN 11/11/09 GEMZAR/HERCEPTIN FOR LIVER PROGRESSION 03/22/10 BRAIN MRI GOOD-3 SMALL NECROSIS LEFT FROM ORIG 11!! 03/26/10 CHANGE TO NAVELBINE/HERCEPTIN 3 LIVER LESIONS PROGRESSING IN SIZE 05/21/10 NAVELBINE/HERCEPTIN WORKING! 07/19/10 GOOD BRAIN MRI 08/20/10 LIVER PROGRESSION 09/08/10 TDM1 - NASHVILLE TN 01/10/11 LIVER RESPONDING TO TDM1