Sick Of Thinking About Medical Insurance

LOPSIDED · 10-19-2006, 07:28 PM

I AM CURRENTLY DOING 1 YEAR OF HERCEPTIN. I AM 5 MONTHS INTO THIS TREATMENT. I HAVE DONE SO WELL THRU ALL MY TREATMENTS. MY HEART ECHO IS 55%, TUMOR MARKERS WERE 13 AND I'M WORKING PART-TIME. HOWEVER I AM EXAUSTED. I HAD SUCH DETERMINATION TO GET THRU ALL OF THIS AND NOW I THINK ITS CATCHING UP TO ME AND I JUST FEEL LIKE QUITING MY JOB AND RELAXING. BUT IF I QUIT, I WILL HAVE TO PAY THAT EXPENSIVE COBRA INSURANCE. WILL THEY EXTEND THE COBRA INSURANCE IF YOU HAVE A DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER & ARE IN TREATMENT. HERCEPTIN IS SO MUCH EASIER THAN MY TREATMENTS BEFORE, BUT SOME HOW I AM SO TIRED OF WORKING , TAKING TREATMENTS, DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS AND THE WHOLE RAT RACE. WHY CAN'T I WIN THE LOTTERY AND NOT WORRY ABOUT MEDICAL INSURANCE.

Bev · 10-19-2006, 08:21 PM

Sheila,

I think COBRA lasts 18 months period and you have you pay the premiums.

Hippa insures that you can pick up another insurer regardless of pre-existing conditions. You have to be timely and line up the new insurance before your Cobra expires. You still pay your premiums.

I would think the only way around this is disability and medicare. Haven't done this and don't know what it involves but would think it would limit your flexibility and choice of providers.

If it was me I'd try to work something out with your employer. Flex time etc. I have tired moments but I really space my work out.

Good luck, BB

MJo · 10-20-2006, 10:08 AM

Oh honey, you are singing my song. I have five Herceptins to go and I'm tired. I wish I could take off work until all treatment is over. In fact, my brain is done for today and I'm typing this at work. I conk out about 2 p.m. and try to do busy work until 5. On weekends I do laundry, rest, clean, rest, cook, rest, etc. I'm too tired to go out socially. I also have a Herceptin/Arimidex cough that, depending on whom you talk to, doesn't exist. But I am also grateful for many, many things. I hope you can rest this weekend. Think carefully about leaving work. But if you must, COBRA lasts 18 months and when you are ready for another job, I'm sure you will find one.

Esther · 10-20-2006, 01:04 PM

Is going out on state disability not an option? When I was diagnosed with primary BC in Jan 2002, I went out on state disability and stayed out for the duration of my treatment, approximately a year including reconstruction and recovery.

My employer continued to pay for my insurance premiums during this time frame. It's worth checking.

Jennid1 · 10-20-2006, 01:30 PM

Sheila,

I understand I'm in the same boat. I told a friend the other day that I would actually consider marriage again just for insurance. Now keep in mind I've be divorced for 10years and said I never marry again. But here i am a 44 thinking about for insurance reasons. My current insurance stinks and my son's college and my retirement fund are shot!

Please let m win the lottery ....I'd be a nice rich person! LOL

Best wishes..Deb

Peggy · 10-23-2006, 02:54 PM

I understand your frustration! Many of us are in similar situations. I kept working because I belived that working was actually better for me. At least I kept going, kept getting up, kept talking to others about something other than BC. Because I was so exhausted, I used Merry Maids to clean my house, stopped and got take-out, took everything to the laundry or dry cleaners....any thing that made my life easier. It was not easy financially, but probably cheaper than COBRA. With the help I could just curl up on the couch while at home. Of course I still hope to win the Lottery...but until then I'm finding ways to make it!