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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / September 2004OTP insurance cove rage
Hoping someone has a suggestion to help me find some insurance coverage. My cobra runs our 10/05. I have applied at BCBS and got my answer from them today Can you believe they want to char ge me $2100.00 a month. there is no way I can pay this. I do have OA and also Diabetes and are overweight but surely there is some ins coverage that will be cheaper than that. I will be elibgible in March for medicare and really only need coverage until then. Please email me if you have ideas or info on where or who might be willing to carry me. thanks so much it seems I can always depend on this great group for help janice I humbly have to admit that I don't know what Cobra is, but would they sell you an 6 month extension? Duckie > Hoping someone has a suggestion to help me find some insurance coverage. > My cobra runs our 10/05. I have applied at BCBS and got my answer from them [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > it seems I can always depend on this great group for help > janice  Signature_('> (_<_) _ _('< -quack (_<_) _ __('< *QUACK!* <_{__) _('< "|,,|_" (_<_) _('< "AFLAC!" (_<_) caroline cobra is the extension of your ins that they allow when you loose your job. I tried to get them to extend it but they say 18 months is all they are required to make it available. my 18 months is up. I am going to SS office on Monday and talk to them to see if medicare could possible start early. thanks jb |I humbly have to admit that I don't know what Cobra is, | but would they sell you an 6 month extension? [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] | > it seems I can always depend on this great group for help | > janice hmm required to make available is the operative word here. Ah well Wish you the best of luck today at SS Duckie > caroline > cobra is the extension of your ins that they allow when you loose your job. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > thanks > jb >caroline >cobra is the extension of your ins that they allow when you loose your job. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >thanks >jb When I had cobra they did allow me to take out a policy through them, it didn't cover much of anything but was enough to get you in the door of the hospital if you needed to get there. I have also learned that for those with lower incomes, if you can't afford the medical treatment and need it in the US there is something called spindown, where they take your income, figure out how much you can afford to spend on medical care out of pocket once you reach this amount for can be a period of a month or up to three, they will cover the rest. Covering the rest helps but it is hard to cover what you already owe. In my case I have a bill that I pay on monthly and if I ever need a spin down I will use that bill to make up for the amount I need to pay out of pocket to meet my expense to qualify for the spin down. You need to check with the Welfare office, which I don't think that is what it is called anymore but that is who issues it. Also call them and ask them to see an adult counselor, there may be something out there for you that you do not know about. Jacqueline Jacqueline http://www.mountain-breeze.com Mountain Breeze Kitchen http://www.mountainbreeze.net Pictures of mountains in Southeastern KY and Southwest VA Jacqueline, that was totally new info for me-I will check that out- by the way, I love the KY pics- Melinda > I have also learned that >for those with lower incomes, if you can't afford the medical >treatment and need it in the US there is something called spindown This is actually known as a spend-down and it's part of medicaid. In some states, some people that have an income over the basic monthly SSI rate can recieve medicaid but the are required to spend income over and above the SSI rate in out-of-pocket medical expenses, thus spend-down their income to the SSI rate, before medicaid kicks in. It's like a monthly deductible. It sounds good in theory but is a pain in the a.s. Sarah L "Friends are those people who know the words to the song in your heart and sing them back to you when you have forgotten the words." (unattributed) ...thanks Sarah for that clarification. Spend down I am familiar with. m COBRA is an acronym, the specifics of which I can't recall. It was part of a health care initiative which allowed people who were laid off to maintain the health insurance benefits they had while employed, but paying 100% of the premium. It is available only for a set period of time. SignatureAdelle D. Stavis, Esq. > I humbly have to admit that I don't know what Cobra is, > but would they sell you an 6 month extension? [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > it seems I can always depend on this great group for help > > janice > I do have OA > and also Diabetes and are overweight but surely there is some ins coverage [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >it seems I can always depend on this great group for help > janice If all else fails: You might want to call your state representatives and see if they can help you with this. I have been at times surprised by the IQ of representatives aids... Kerry & Edwards 2004! http://www.democrats.org/ http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/12/60minutes/main605700.shtml http://www.americanprogress.org/site/pp.asp?c=biJRJ8OVF&b=42263 http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/01/60minutes/main609889.shtm jb, go to iwwg.com. it's the website for the international women writers' guild. you don't need to be a writer to join. no one will ask. they have health insurance and used to take everyone--i don't know if that's still the case, but it's worth a try. good luck, diane Diane, IWWG no longer offeres health insurance, just dental and vision. They couldn't get the coverage this year. I am just entering a Cobra 3 year period and haven't a clue as to what I will do when that is over. m Melinda wrote: > I am just entering a Cobra 3 year period and > haven't a clue as to what I will do when that is over. Is there any explanation why Janice's coverage is only 18 months and Melinda's is 3 years? I don't have a suggestion, just wanted to wish you the best in finding an insurance company. I might be going thru that same thing in July if hubby doesn't get a job soon. If I hear of anything I will let you know. SignatureLove and hugs to all Good thoughts coming your way too. Squirrely Jo > Hoping someone has a suggestion to help me find some insurance coverage. > My cobra runs our 10/05. I have applied at BCBS and got my answer from them [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > it seems I can always depend on this great group for help > janice >I don't have a suggestion, just wanted to wish you the best in finding an >insurance company. I might be going thru that same thing in July if hubby >doesn't get a job soon. There are doctors that will reduce their fee 30 to 40 percent if you tell them you don't have insurance and things are tight. They usually have you pay before you see the doctor. I have a relative that does this since its just for himself, and he's self employed. Kerry & Edwards 2004! http://www.democrats.org/ http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/12/60minutes/main605700.shtml http://www.americanprogress.org/site/pp.asp?c=biJRJ8OVF&b=42263 http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/01/60minutes/main609889.shtm Some information from another group's post: Subject: Early Prescription Drug Coverage/MS From: msbuckaroo@hotmail.com (Cowboy) Date: 9/19/2004 1:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time Message-id: <af5664c9.0409182101.20fd6c9f@posting.google.com> Associated Press Online September 10, 2004 Friday Info on Drugs for Cancer, Other Diseases Medicare patients with cancer and eight other diseases who may be eligible for early prescription drug coverage can contact Medicare and patient advocate groups for information. The program generally applies to cancer medicines taken orally that replace doctor-administered drugs. For the other diseases, it applies to drugs the patient can inject at home. The other diseases are multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C, osteoporosis, CMV retinitis, pulmonary hypertension, Paget's disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Information from Medicare can be obtained on the Internet at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/researchers/demos/drugcoveragedemo.asp or by calling 1-866-563-5386. Other places to turn include: Patient Advocate Foundation: http://www.patientadvocate.org Arthritis Foundation: http://www.arthritis.org American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship: http://www.canceradvocacy.org/ National Multiple Sclerosis Society: http://www.nmss.org National Osteoporosis Foundation: http://www.nof.org/ MORE LINKS ON MEDICAL RELATED STUFF: I don't know if its any good, but here it is... http://userpages.chorus.net/harve/whs.htm http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/healthcare/nw/nw004339.php3 http://www.imgw.com/consumer_savings/ > I don't have a suggestion, just wanted to wish you the best > in finding an insurance company. I might be going thru that > same thing in July if hubby doesn't get a job soon. Jo, have you and Jim checked into MediCal? (California's version of Medicade) It's income and assest- dependable, but a home, car, jewelry, TV-stereo don't count. Assests mostly means cash, bonds/stocks, etc, etc. Didn't think to do it Firechief, as we have some savings right now that we are living off of and we also have two iras in the bank. That would count against us I am sure. It seems you can never get help unless you have no money at all. SignatureLove and hugs to all Good thoughts coming your way too. Squirrely Jo > > I don't have a suggestion, just wanted to wish you the best > > in finding an insurance company. I might be going thru that [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > dependable, but a home, car, jewelry, TV-stereo don't count. > Assests mostly means cash, bonds/stocks, etc, etc. > Didn't think to do it Firechief, as we have some savings right > now that we are living off of and we also have two iras in the > bank. That would count against us I am sure. The savings would be included in the "litimus" test. I don't know how the handle an IRA because there are penalties for early withdrawal - thus they're not readily touchable/available. > It seems you can never get help unless you have no money at all. Or a non-citizen, who are treated better than Americans. ... Taxpayers may be America's first exhausted natural resource. I will have to find out I guess. I just have not been feeling good enough to do much of anything lately. Yeah I agree with you on others getting help but us not. SignatureLove and hugs to all Good thoughts coming your way too. Squirrely Jo > > Didn't think to do it Firechief, as we have some savings right > > now that we are living off of and we also have two iras in the [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > ... Taxpayers may be America's first exhausted natural resource. > Hoping someone has a suggestion to help me find some insurance coverage. > My cobra runs our 10/05. I have applied at BCBS and got my answer from them [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > it seems I can always depend on this great group for help > janice Janice - Not sure what state you are in, but you can try the local Social Services (not Social Security) or Family Services (the "welfare" office). Some states offer Medicaid (or whatever the state calls it) to all adults (Colorado doesn't) as long as they are financially eligible. Smokie Darling (Annie) Janice: Cobra usually lasts for 18 months after you stop working, BUT IF YOU ARE APPROVED FOR SSDI BENEFITS during this period of time, you can extend it for up to an additional eleven (11) months for a total of 29 months total under Cobra. They don't usually tell you this so you have to contact your former employer and tell them. I will look up a website I think I still have and email you the details. Ann Greetings! Many states have a high risk insurance pool. If you have been turned down by other insurance agencies, they will cover you...however, they may not be much cheaper. You may have to pay the high rate until March. Sandy > Hoping someone has a suggestion to help me find some insurance coverage. > My cobra runs our 10/05. I have applied at BCBS and got my answer from them [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > it seems I can always depend on this great group for help > janice Janice wrote: > My cobra runs our 10/05. Did you mean 2004? > I do have OA and also Diabetes and are overweight > but surely there is some ins coverage that will be > cheaper than that. Have you checked into Medicare? Local welfare office? > I will be elibgible in March for medicare.... 2005? Or 2006? (I'm not sure of the dates above.) Chief looks like I was having a brain fart when I wrote this. maybe I can explain. the reason my x employer say that I cannot get an extension of cobra was that I didn't notify them within 6o days after I went on disability. no one told me I had to notify them within 6o days . as soon as I found out I needed to let them know I did but it was too late they said. I called the NC insurance commissioner and he said it was their choice whether to let me have the extension or not and they said they say I wasn't eligible for the extension since I didn't notify them. they are just a bunch of a.s holes. I all but begged them to let me continue coverage for 6 more months but they say no. I gave that company 15 years of my life and not only did they dismiss me un justly but have taken all my amenities from me and there isn't a darn thing I can do about it ( sob sob). it depresses me so bad I still cry about it. I didn't get to SS office yet but I have read on internet that I will not be eligible for Medicare until I am on disability for 24 month which will be in March 2005. my cobra runs out Oct 2004. I have 6 mo with no coverage I spoke to an agent today and he is going to look into getting a short term policy somewhere for me but short term policies wont cover anything that is pre existing as my diabetes and my OA.only a major unexpected event. even when Medicare kicks in that will not help pay for my meds. I take 9 different rx and without any rx coverage I am not sure how in the world I will be able to pay my rx bill. I will have to look into some help or a supplement that may help out there. well I know that many of you have the same problems and I need to quit whining. thanks for listening. I am sure the lord will provide in some way. love to all Janice | Janice wrote: | [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] | | 2005? Or 2006? (I'm not sure of the dates above.) janice, i don't know what state you live in, but check out your state's human resources programs. they might be able to help you in the interim, financially and with regards to your meds. i hope so. prayers continuing. kate > Chief > looks like I was having a brain fart when I wrote this. maybe I can [quoted text clipped - 51 lines] > | > | 2005? Or 2006? (I'm not sure of the dates above.) Janice wrote: > I didn't get to SS office yet but I have read on internet that I will not be > eligible for Medicare until I am on disability for 24 month which will be in > March 2005. my cobra runs out Oct 2004. I have 6 mo with no coverage While I was waiting for Medicare to kick in, I discovered that I was eligible for Medicade (MediCal here). My Naval Reserve pension hadn't started (below age 60), and my SSDI was below the income limit for MediCal. It covers 100% medical expenses, including drugs, and it covers Medicare's deductibles when Medicare does begin. Medicade is asset and income dependent, but they do deduct rent/mortage, phone, electric and other utilities, transportation to medical appointments, etc. Assets do not include a home, car, jewelry, furniture, TV-stereo but does include stocks/bonds, cash value of life insurance, and some other things that could be converted to cash. Janice, I would be contacting an attorney for this one. Human resources at large companies are often very negligent and ultimately it is the company that is liable. I don't make a human resources call without documenting who I spoke to, the date, etc. I have even started memoing the calls (in California I first have to notify someone I am taping a call, but a very simple "because of my RA I am unable to make call notes so I hope you won't mind if I further my access by taping this conversation" always gets me permission.) This has saved me more than once with insurance isssues and establishes clear liability when issues come up, which they will. I have spent more time getting cobra set up then I would ever imagine possible but face it, we are not the cream of the crop for insurers <g> There are attorneys who specialize in helping you obtain your insurance benefits. At least consult with one which will probably not cost you anything for an initial consult. If you don't have the resources to do that, contact legal aid. Depending on resources, Joe's info about medicaid is a good suggestion. Best of luck on this- melinda Janice, you have my sympathy on the no drug coverage. I dont have any either and my drug bill last month was $750. Boy does that hurt! Gwen > Chief > looks like I was having a brain fart when I wrote this. maybe I can explain. [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > | > | 2005? Or 2006? (I'm not sure of the dates above.) WoW, Gwen, but that amount blew me away!! I think I'll stop whining about $300 a month... donnah > Janice, you have my sympathy on the no drug coverage. I dont have any > either and my drug bill [quoted text clipped - 56 lines] > > | > > | 2005? Or 2006? (I'm not sure of the dates above.) Gwen Love wrote: >> and my drug bill last month was $750. Boy does that hurt! To which Donna H replied: > WoW, Gwen, but that amount blew me away!! I think I'll stop > whining about $300 a month... 26 years in the Naval Reserve and another 17 years before benefits kicked in -- I always wondered if it was worth all the weekend drills and 2-week summer cruises or schools. Now Mary and I pay $3 a month per Rx at any pharmacy (could order a 3-month supply for $3 each Rx), no HMO co-pays for office visits and labs -- and I know it was well worth those 26 years. Plus -- SS covers all our NEEDS and the Navy pension covers my WANTS. I just cannot imagine what several of you are having to fork over for your Rx's -- but I can sympathize with/for you. (((Janice))) just a thought here...but, why can't you appeal their decision especially if they did not advise you of your rights? and it may help to ask an attorney that specializes in these things... prayers continue donnah > Chief > looks like I was having a brain fart when I wrote this. maybe I can explain. [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > | > | 2005? Or 2006? (I'm not sure of the dates above.) I want to thank all of you for your replies and prayers. I didn't know where else to go with this problem. I have written to my former employer HR division 1 more time "begging" them to consider an extension until Mar 2005. It is in there hands. They dont have to grant this since I didnt notify them within 60 days of my dissability, even if I didnt know of this requirment. I will not have an answer until tomorrow. I did speak to an insurance rep yesterday who has filed an app to a company that he feels may insure me for $500 month with no RX coverage and also no pre existing coverage for diabetes, OA elevated BP or elevated Cholesterol,or anything reflecting back to these problems. Isn't this the pits? Again thanks for all of your replies and suggestions. I have used a number of youe suggestions. I will keep you updated on my final results. If anyone does come up with or recall any answers please continue to let me know. love and blessings to all in this wonderful asa group. you are my "savior" in times of dilemmas. love janice | Hoping someone has a suggestion to help me find some insurance coverage. | My cobra runs our 10/05. I have applied at BCBS and got my answer from them [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] | it seems I can always depend on this great group for help | janice (((Janice))) donnah > I want to thank all of you for your replies and prayers. I didn't know where > else to go with this problem. I have written to my former employer HR [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > | it seems I can always depend on this great group for help > | janice |
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