HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - COBRA running out--what's next?

Jackie07 · 10-04-2010, 03:23 AM

Cal-Gal,

I'm in Texas, so I don't know if things are different in California.

Before my COBRA had run out, I contacted the insurance company (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas) and learned that there's a 6-month extension available after COBRA before I had to use Texas Risk Pool. So I did the 6 month extension and then proceeded to get on Texas Risk Pool which has also been contracted out to BCBS. (Almost had a mishap because we did not realize it would take at least 4 weeks to process the application. After several phone calls, we got our application approved on the 21st - just before the cut-off date of the new regulation. I don't really understand/remember what it means, but we are covered...)

Because I have qualified for DI, I will be eligible for Medicare next January. (I think we have received the Medicare card already [?])The Medicare Supplemental Insurance provided by the big hospital in town won't have its new 'schedule' available until Oct. 15, so we have to wait for that before deciding what supplemental insurance we will pick (can afford.)

I'm getting blood drawn tomorrow and will have an annual MRI for my brain tumor(s) a week later. Everything seems to have doubled its cost since earlier this year, I've quit trying to figure out how much increase we've experienced.

The 'Omega-3 fish oil' experiment kept me wide awake...

10-04-2010, 03:23 AM	#2
Jackie07 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: "Love never fails." Posts: 5,808	Re: COBRA running out--what's next? Cal-Gal, I'm in Texas, so I don't know if things are different in California. Before my COBRA had run out, I contacted the insurance company (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas) and learned that there's a 6-month extension available after COBRA before I had to use Texas Risk Pool. So I did the 6 month extension and then proceeded to get on Texas Risk Pool which has also been contracted out to BCBS. (Almost had a mishap because we did not realize it would take at least 4 weeks to process the application. After several phone calls, we got our application approved on the 21st - just before the cut-off date of the new regulation. I don't really understand/remember what it means, but we are covered...) Because I have qualified for DI, I will be eligible for Medicare next January. (I think we have received the Medicare card already [?])The Medicare Supplemental Insurance provided by the big hospital in town won't have its new 'schedule' available until Oct. 15, so we have to wait for that before deciding what supplemental insurance we will pick (can afford.) I'm getting blood drawn tomorrow and will have an annual MRI for my brain tumor(s) a week later. Everything seems to have doubled its cost since earlier this year, I've quit trying to figure out how much increase we've experienced. The 'Omega-3 fish oil' experiment kept me wide awake... __________________ Jackie07 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2 NICU 4.4 LB Erythema Nodosum 85 Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d 3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills CN 3 GKRS 52301 IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET 6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M Diastasis recti Tamoxifen B. scan Irrtbl bowel 1'09 Colonoscopy 313 BRCA1 V1247I hptc hemangioma Vertigo GI - > yogurt hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410 Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk DEXA 1/13 1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer. 3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer. Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement （600mg x2) 10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016 7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence. 7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule. 1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule. "I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe Last edited by Jackie07; 10-04-2010 at 03:33 AM..