Aa
I Need Some Support
I really don't ask for much but I really need some support right now. I think I'm losing it. I try to stay positive about things but when things go from bad to worse it's really hard to keep things in perspective.
First..the good news. My hubby came back home. He was working none stop for 20 days straight in KY. He was coming home on the weekends but the boss at the electrical company that he works for, decided that he & everyone needed to stay down there until the job was done. He had to work 12-14 hours a day, 7 days a week. The only positive thing about it was the money.
He didn't like leaving me because of my walking issues. I have my good days and my bad days and you just don't know what day your going to have until you wake up. Mine usually involves pain. Hey, I guess I know when I'm awake..I'm still alive. I started losing my appetite. I just couldn't eat, and when I did, I felt sick. He would call every night to check on me. I start to get in a depression and I'm not sure why. It came down to the last week he was there and instead of being happy that it was almost over I became very depressed. I guess I'm looking on it now and I'm thinking maybe I was sensing something.
He came home Thursday night and I was happy but it was short lived. Friday the owner calls and tells him that he is laid off. There is no more work. So after this week, and after his vacation days are spent, he will have to go on unemployment..and the big issue is no medical insurance. The thoughts of what will happen keep running through my head, especially the scariest thing is pre-existing condition. What am I going to do?
I'm suppose to go to the lung specialist in April to find out the results of my CT..but now I won't have health insurance. I just went and got a CT scan of my lungs. I'm thinking..I might have figured this thing out. I believe now that it may not be MS..that maybe it could be sarcoidosis/neurosarcoiodsis or it could be something worse. I feel like I'm on the road to a DX..but now I have no means of getting any DX or treatment if I do have this.
The reason why I'm heading on this direction is this...
I have ocular hypertension...............Glaucoma is common in sarcoid and ocular hypertension can be the prerequisite to it.
I have had upper eyelid drooping and a sluggish pupil response......cranial nerve damage is common with neurosarcoidosis and a node in your lung can cause problems with facial drooping.
I have a node on my lung...........This is common with sarcoid and cancers.
I had t-spine enhancement in the meninges in 3 different areas....This is common with sarcoid and cancers.
I recently had a skin lesion show up. It itched. It had a bright ring around the outer edge and a pale yellowish, bruise like appearance in the middle. I went to the dermatologist. It didn't go away after I self treated for 3 months. She did a punch biopsy because she thought it was morphea (scleroderma). It wasn't. She DX it as contact dermatitis. I believe now it was a form of Erythema Nodosum. The only question about this is ..Can it occur on you abdomen? That's where mine was. I will post a picture of the variant I found that looks exactly like mine. It is still yellowish/bruised in color. The ring is gone now.......This condition can occur in sarcoid, lupus, cancers, infections..etc.
I have cataracts on my eyes. The doctor told me that they don't call it cataracts in my age group but it may develop later in life.......This is common with sarcoid.
The only thing that doesn't fit is the vitamin D deficiency I have. Usually when you have sarcoid you have hyper calcium in your blood and it is recommended to stay away from vitamin D because it can aggravate the problem. I have also came up negative on all my ACE blood test but I guess that don't really mean much, since some people test negative. Is spasms included in sarcoid? This is one of my main problems.
My father is sick too. He has renal failure, heart failure, clogged arteries, and has suffered with several strokes in the past. He just recently was started on dialysis. At the beginning of this year I had a feeling come over me. I felt that he wasn't going to make it this year. I'm stressed about that too. He can only stay out of the hospital for a week or two and then he goes right back in. His wife is making things hard. She doesn't like me. Once he goes in we don't know anything on what is going on. The hospital doesn't even know that he has biological children.
I'm stressed out to say the least and I'm not sure how much more I can take before I'll break. Sorry to unload on you all. Thanks for listening..any advice would be great too. I have a doctors appointment Wed. for the opthamologist. After that...I don't know what to do????
First..the good news. My hubby came back home. He was working none stop for 20 days straight in KY. He was coming home on the weekends but the boss at the electrical company that he works for, decided that he & everyone needed to stay down there until the job was done. He had to work 12-14 hours a day, 7 days a week. The only positive thing about it was the money.
He didn't like leaving me because of my walking issues. I have my good days and my bad days and you just don't know what day your going to have until you wake up. Mine usually involves pain. Hey, I guess I know when I'm awake..I'm still alive. I started losing my appetite. I just couldn't eat, and when I did, I felt sick. He would call every night to check on me. I start to get in a depression and I'm not sure why. It came down to the last week he was there and instead of being happy that it was almost over I became very depressed. I guess I'm looking on it now and I'm thinking maybe I was sensing something.
He came home Thursday night and I was happy but it was short lived. Friday the owner calls and tells him that he is laid off. There is no more work. So after this week, and after his vacation days are spent, he will have to go on unemployment..and the big issue is no medical insurance. The thoughts of what will happen keep running through my head, especially the scariest thing is pre-existing condition. What am I going to do?
I'm suppose to go to the lung specialist in April to find out the results of my CT..but now I won't have health insurance. I just went and got a CT scan of my lungs. I'm thinking..I might have figured this thing out. I believe now that it may not be MS..that maybe it could be sarcoidosis/neurosarcoiodsis or it could be something worse. I feel like I'm on the road to a DX..but now I have no means of getting any DX or treatment if I do have this.
The reason why I'm heading on this direction is this...
I have ocular hypertension...............Glaucoma is common in sarcoid and ocular hypertension can be the prerequisite to it.
I have had upper eyelid drooping and a sluggish pupil response......cranial nerve damage is common with neurosarcoidosis and a node in your lung can cause problems with facial drooping.
I have a node on my lung...........This is common with sarcoid and cancers.
I had t-spine enhancement in the meninges in 3 different areas....This is common with sarcoid and cancers.
I recently had a skin lesion show up. It itched. It had a bright ring around the outer edge and a pale yellowish, bruise like appearance in the middle. I went to the dermatologist. It didn't go away after I self treated for 3 months. She did a punch biopsy because she thought it was morphea (scleroderma). It wasn't. She DX it as contact dermatitis. I believe now it was a form of Erythema Nodosum. The only question about this is ..Can it occur on you abdomen? That's where mine was. I will post a picture of the variant I found that looks exactly like mine. It is still yellowish/bruised in color. The ring is gone now.......This condition can occur in sarcoid, lupus, cancers, infections..etc.
I have cataracts on my eyes. The doctor told me that they don't call it cataracts in my age group but it may develop later in life.......This is common with sarcoid.
The only thing that doesn't fit is the vitamin D deficiency I have. Usually when you have sarcoid you have hyper calcium in your blood and it is recommended to stay away from vitamin D because it can aggravate the problem. I have also came up negative on all my ACE blood test but I guess that don't really mean much, since some people test negative. Is spasms included in sarcoid? This is one of my main problems.
My father is sick too. He has renal failure, heart failure, clogged arteries, and has suffered with several strokes in the past. He just recently was started on dialysis. At the beginning of this year I had a feeling come over me. I felt that he wasn't going to make it this year. I'm stressed about that too. He can only stay out of the hospital for a week or two and then he goes right back in. His wife is making things hard. She doesn't like me. Once he goes in we don't know anything on what is going on. The hospital doesn't even know that he has biological children.
I'm stressed out to say the least and I'm not sure how much more I can take before I'll break. Sorry to unload on you all. Thanks for listening..any advice would be great too. I have a doctors appointment Wed. for the opthamologist. After that...I don't know what to do????
I am so sorry I missed this post until now. I know EXACTLY how you are feeling, as I am in the same boat as you. "kathy" told me about this post, and I just found it and am grateful to you and everyone here that helped with all this information. I hope you are doing ok these days, and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. How are you doing?
Michelle
Michelle
Oh Lord, what a horrible time.
The insurance this is a closed book to me, as I am in the UK, but I do hope that you get some answers soon, you have enough to deal with without having to worry about medical bills.
All I can offer you is a big hug and to keep you in my prayers.
Good luck and remember that you are loved.
The insurance this is a closed book to me, as I am in the UK, but I do hope that you get some answers soon, you have enough to deal with without having to worry about medical bills.
All I can offer you is a big hug and to keep you in my prayers.
Good luck and remember that you are loved.
Hi, its me again,
I just had another discussion with my insurance friend. I was told that the Insurance company provides the forms to the business to give to the ex-employee.
In the event that there will be a change in the insurance policy, it is simply noted on the form. There is no reason for them to keep stalling; they are still legally bound to get you the form within 14 days of termination. Is April 1 after that 14 days?
You should be able to figure out what your premium will be, as you said earlier that the premiums wouldn't change, just the out-of-pocket costs like co-pays, deductibles, prescriptions, etc.
It should be easy enough to figure out what your part of the premium will be; it will be 35% of the entire amount. If they are ready to change the policy on April 1, they should be able to tell you what the cost is; they aren't going to make it all up on April 1; it is a policy choice already in the insurance companies books, most likely.
You have 60 days from the day your husband was terminated to get your COBRA coverage activated. It will be retroactive, as in you will not lose coverage and have to start all over with preexisting conditions.
However, if you see a doctor before the COBRA is in place, the insurance company will not pay, as your insurance isn't active until you get the paperwork and the premium turned in and the insurance activated.
If the insurance company still can't/won't help you, your state will have a place to call and make a complaint. Here it is called the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industry; I'm sure there is a similar agency there in Ohio.
When you do get the paperwork, there will be a choice between a single policy or family policy; I think it goes without saying that you should choose the family policy, :o).
I really think that you can't NOT afford insurance. What kind of coverage does the Medicaid office have to offer when your income is lower? Maybe you should call them to find out if you need to pay for the COBRA to keep the insurance coverage going before they can help.
It is possible that your state has "extra help" for people who need help paying for their insurance. For instance, I'm on SSD, with Medicare. I pay for a MedAdvantage policy, that gives me better coverage.
Oregon has an "extra help" program that pays my Medicare premium, my deductible for my insurance, and reduces the price I have to pay for prescriptions, including covering that gap before catatrophic coverage that would totally wipe me out if I didn't have help.
Now that you're spitting mad and have the energy, call your Bureau of Labor and Industry ( or whatever it's called there), call the insurance company again, call the Medicaid office; keep trying until you get some answers you can live with.
Perhaps the ex-employer doesn't understand that he can be fined for not getting that paperwork to you in the 14 days. Maybe you can find someone that can call and inform him of that; not you or your husband, but a government official that can give it to him straight. Hopefully someone from the Bureau of Labor and Industry.
You're in my thoughts; sending you some of my spare energy to help you through all of this.
Love and hugs,
Kathy
I just had another discussion with my insurance friend. I was told that the Insurance company provides the forms to the business to give to the ex-employee.
In the event that there will be a change in the insurance policy, it is simply noted on the form. There is no reason for them to keep stalling; they are still legally bound to get you the form within 14 days of termination. Is April 1 after that 14 days?
You should be able to figure out what your premium will be, as you said earlier that the premiums wouldn't change, just the out-of-pocket costs like co-pays, deductibles, prescriptions, etc.
It should be easy enough to figure out what your part of the premium will be; it will be 35% of the entire amount. If they are ready to change the policy on April 1, they should be able to tell you what the cost is; they aren't going to make it all up on April 1; it is a policy choice already in the insurance companies books, most likely.
You have 60 days from the day your husband was terminated to get your COBRA coverage activated. It will be retroactive, as in you will not lose coverage and have to start all over with preexisting conditions.
However, if you see a doctor before the COBRA is in place, the insurance company will not pay, as your insurance isn't active until you get the paperwork and the premium turned in and the insurance activated.
If the insurance company still can't/won't help you, your state will have a place to call and make a complaint. Here it is called the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industry; I'm sure there is a similar agency there in Ohio.
When you do get the paperwork, there will be a choice between a single policy or family policy; I think it goes without saying that you should choose the family policy, :o).
I really think that you can't NOT afford insurance. What kind of coverage does the Medicaid office have to offer when your income is lower? Maybe you should call them to find out if you need to pay for the COBRA to keep the insurance coverage going before they can help.
It is possible that your state has "extra help" for people who need help paying for their insurance. For instance, I'm on SSD, with Medicare. I pay for a MedAdvantage policy, that gives me better coverage.
Oregon has an "extra help" program that pays my Medicare premium, my deductible for my insurance, and reduces the price I have to pay for prescriptions, including covering that gap before catatrophic coverage that would totally wipe me out if I didn't have help.
Now that you're spitting mad and have the energy, call your Bureau of Labor and Industry ( or whatever it's called there), call the insurance company again, call the Medicaid office; keep trying until you get some answers you can live with.
Perhaps the ex-employer doesn't understand that he can be fined for not getting that paperwork to you in the 14 days. Maybe you can find someone that can call and inform him of that; not you or your husband, but a government official that can give it to him straight. Hopefully someone from the Bureau of Labor and Industry.
You're in my thoughts; sending you some of my spare energy to help you through all of this.
Love and hugs,
Kathy
Well, my husband went down to get the paperwork yesterday. Both the insurance company and the Employee Benefits Security Administration Advisor that we spoke to, said that it's the employers responsibility to give the COBRA information out to us. They refused. They said the insurance is doing it now.
We called the insurance back and told them the situation and how the responsibility is being shifted at them to give us the paperwork..and we don't know what to think or do.
We found out then the reason why things are being shifted from one person to another. It's because of the change that is taking place in the insurance April 1. They said we can get the COBRA papers after that date. They aren't even letting us know how much it will cost us. They said they will have to call us back so we don't even know IF we can afford it.
They said if an emergency happen..we can go to the doctors and the COBRA would be retro-active BUT...HOW can I do this if I don't know IF we are going to be able to AFFORD IT???? No one is giving us paperwork and telling us how much it is, so I don't know what we are getting ourselves in to....and we still have a house payment to make, and food to put on the table, and children. I have to know what it will cost before I do something!
So....I'm going to be glad when this week is over. Instead of being depressed now...I'm getting into the really, really, really, ticked off...don't mess with me or I'll rip your face off it's skull phase. LOL So I'm at a loss on what to do now...don't know if it's legal or not.
I think I've done everything I can so far....Thanks Guys
Love you All
We called the insurance back and told them the situation and how the responsibility is being shifted at them to give us the paperwork..and we don't know what to think or do.
We found out then the reason why things are being shifted from one person to another. It's because of the change that is taking place in the insurance April 1. They said we can get the COBRA papers after that date. They aren't even letting us know how much it will cost us. They said they will have to call us back so we don't even know IF we can afford it.
They said if an emergency happen..we can go to the doctors and the COBRA would be retro-active BUT...HOW can I do this if I don't know IF we are going to be able to AFFORD IT???? No one is giving us paperwork and telling us how much it is, so I don't know what we are getting ourselves in to....and we still have a house payment to make, and food to put on the table, and children. I have to know what it will cost before I do something!
So....I'm going to be glad when this week is over. Instead of being depressed now...I'm getting into the really, really, really, ticked off...don't mess with me or I'll rip your face off it's skull phase. LOL So I'm at a loss on what to do now...don't know if it's legal or not.
I think I've done everything I can so far....Thanks Guys
Love you All
I hope your husband has no problem getting the paperwork when he goes there; this is ridiculous, as the company must know what the law requires of them.
We'll just believe that it will all work out and soon you'll have your medical coverage back. If not, we'll find out where to file a complaint, and get that foolish employer in trouble with the law, as well as get them to pay for the lion's share of your insurance.
I realized that it was probably too late yesterday for you to call your insurance company after I'd posted; I'm glad you got hold of them today and had them confirm that the ex-employer is not playing by the rules.
Hang in there!
Kathy
We'll just believe that it will all work out and soon you'll have your medical coverage back. If not, we'll find out where to file a complaint, and get that foolish employer in trouble with the law, as well as get them to pay for the lion's share of your insurance.
I realized that it was probably too late yesterday for you to call your insurance company after I'd posted; I'm glad you got hold of them today and had them confirm that the ex-employer is not playing by the rules.
Hang in there!
Kathy
Sounds like you are taking some steps in the right direction & making progress. At least you are finding out some answers on the Cobra part & not letting them get the best of you! You go girl!!!
Janette
Janette
I'll make this quick...I just wanted to keep you guys updated on this whole mess.
Kathy- I did what you suggested this morning and called the insurance company. I couldn't call yesterday because they were closed by the time I saw your message. They confirmed what you said. The company is SUPPOSE to give my husband this info about COBRA because they have more than 20 employees. I'm not sure what is going on..but I don't like it.
Deb- I called that number you gave us. They confirmed everything too. I'm going to check out the websites later.
Bio-Your right too about COBRA..no lapse in coverage ..if I can just get the paperwork!! I guess once the premium is paid, it is back dated like you never lost coverage.
My husband is going down there himself to see if he can get the paperwork because he is getting sent to his job's health coordinator's voice mail. This is the most ridiculous thing I've every seen!. They are aware of all my health problems too...so I guess that doesn't matter. If we strike out there, we might have to plead with the insurance company to send us the info instead.
There was suppose to be a change soon to the insurance (April 1). It's wasn't going to change the premiums but it was going to change deductibles, office copays, prescriptions. It looked like a cheaper policy for the employer and more expensive (double $$) for the employee. I'm not sure if this is the reason why they are giving a hard time about it or what...because we are on the better plan still and the changes aren't in effect until April 1???? I don't know.
Oh God! Something has to give!!! This just hasn't been my week. You know what I mean? I'll try to come back later when we find more stuff out.
Kathy- I did what you suggested this morning and called the insurance company. I couldn't call yesterday because they were closed by the time I saw your message. They confirmed what you said. The company is SUPPOSE to give my husband this info about COBRA because they have more than 20 employees. I'm not sure what is going on..but I don't like it.
Deb- I called that number you gave us. They confirmed everything too. I'm going to check out the websites later.
Bio-Your right too about COBRA..no lapse in coverage ..if I can just get the paperwork!! I guess once the premium is paid, it is back dated like you never lost coverage.
My husband is going down there himself to see if he can get the paperwork because he is getting sent to his job's health coordinator's voice mail. This is the most ridiculous thing I've every seen!. They are aware of all my health problems too...so I guess that doesn't matter. If we strike out there, we might have to plead with the insurance company to send us the info instead.
There was suppose to be a change soon to the insurance (April 1). It's wasn't going to change the premiums but it was going to change deductibles, office copays, prescriptions. It looked like a cheaper policy for the employer and more expensive (double $$) for the employee. I'm not sure if this is the reason why they are giving a hard time about it or what...because we are on the better plan still and the changes aren't in effect until April 1???? I don't know.
Oh God! Something has to give!!! This just hasn't been my week. You know what I mean? I'll try to come back later when we find more stuff out.
I guess I was thinking about the requirement that they provide you with COBRA information in writing. Although I also think where I work now that there is some requirement about notifying us in writing about changes in insurance of any kind--goodness knows, they notify us if someone just blinks at the policy. It's Texas...don't know if that somehow makes a difference.
Anyway...looks like the consensus is that you should absolutely be able to get COBRA. And that means no lapses in coverage. I hope that's good news.
Bio
Anyway...looks like the consensus is that you should absolutely be able to get COBRA. And that means no lapses in coverage. I hope that's good news.
Bio
Sadly, it's not true that insurance coverage needs to be continued or notification of termination of insurance needs to put in writing. Unless it is in a contract, it is possible to terminate benefits when employment is terminated. This may vary by state, also.
A lot of decent companies will continue benefits; a friend of mine is terminating someone tomorrow (has to be done), and will have her benefits continued through the end of the month, give her her COBRA paperwork, explain how it works, and if the terminated employee follows through right away, there will be no break in benefits.
There is a certain timeframe for signing up for COBRA, and I'm not sure exactly what that is, but since the ex-employer has 14 days to get the paperwork to the ex-employee, there has to be some leeway for filling out the paperwork and getting the 35% premium to the employer with the completed paperwork.
Once that is done, benefits pick up where they left off.
If there is no new insurance after 18 months, then you're eligible for portability, which allows you to continue with the same insurance, while having to pay the whole premium.
I don't think that will apply to you, slightlybroken, because I'm sure your husband will have a good job by then, or you could have SSI and Medicare or Medicaid. As for medications, if the insurance somehow falls through, most drug companies have Patient Assistance Programs for prescriptions for people without insurance or who are underinsured.
I'm going to check out Deb61's links tomorrow, looks like good stuff.
Take care,
Kathy
A lot of decent companies will continue benefits; a friend of mine is terminating someone tomorrow (has to be done), and will have her benefits continued through the end of the month, give her her COBRA paperwork, explain how it works, and if the terminated employee follows through right away, there will be no break in benefits.
There is a certain timeframe for signing up for COBRA, and I'm not sure exactly what that is, but since the ex-employer has 14 days to get the paperwork to the ex-employee, there has to be some leeway for filling out the paperwork and getting the 35% premium to the employer with the completed paperwork.
Once that is done, benefits pick up where they left off.
If there is no new insurance after 18 months, then you're eligible for portability, which allows you to continue with the same insurance, while having to pay the whole premium.
I don't think that will apply to you, slightlybroken, because I'm sure your husband will have a good job by then, or you could have SSI and Medicare or Medicaid. As for medications, if the insurance somehow falls through, most drug companies have Patient Assistance Programs for prescriptions for people without insurance or who are underinsured.
I'm going to check out Deb61's links tomorrow, looks like good stuff.
Take care,
Kathy
I forgot another good web site to help answer questions:
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq-cobra-premiumreductionEE.html
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq-cobra-premiumreductionEE.html
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm
My heart goes out to you slightly. I'll put in lots of prayers for you, sweetie.
Guidance and other information is available on the Department of Labor web site at www.dol.gov/COBRA. You can also call 1.866.444.3272 to speak to an Employee Benefits Security Administration Benefits Advisor.
If your insurance was a group insurance with 20 or more employees, you should have been given information about the Cobra plan--it's the law.
Hugs,
Deb
Guidance and other information is available on the Department of Labor web site at www.dol.gov/COBRA. You can also call 1.866.444.3272 to speak to an Employee Benefits Security Administration Benefits Advisor.
If your insurance was a group insurance with 20 or more employees, you should have been given information about the Cobra plan--it's the law.
Hugs,
Deb
It's not legal for them to terminate insurance without notification in writing, as far as I understand. They cannot deny COBRA, either. In fact, if I'm remembering correctly--and Fluff may remember this rightly, too--you can still sign up for COBRA within a certain period of time after a lapse.
Good Lord. What a world. I'm sorry again, slightly, for how all of this is piling up. Keep coming here and updating--you'll run into folks like Kathy who really can help you in substantial, immediate ways.
Bio
Good Lord. What a world. I'm sorry again, slightly, for how all of this is piling up. Keep coming here and updating--you'll run into folks like Kathy who really can help you in substantial, immediate ways.
Bio
I don't have anything to add to all the wonderful advice you've been given, but I wanted you to know that I'll be praying for you and your family. Lots of cyber hugs to you.
I thought that anyone laid off had 30 days before their insurance terminated. Is this true?
I don't think it is legal for an employer to terminate insurance without some time frame of notice. This is important. Does anyone know?
I do know that the employer is often wrong about when the actual insurance stops.
Quix
I don't think it is legal for an employer to terminate insurance without some time frame of notice. This is important. Does anyone know?
I do know that the employer is often wrong about when the actual insurance stops.
Quix
Call the insurance company today! Don't wait for them to call you! There should be no lapse in coverage and you shouldn't have to cancel your appointments.
His employer has, by law, 14 days after termination to get the COBRA information to him. It is their legal responsibility.
It is not up to the insurance company; the employer will have to pay the insurance company the 65% of the premium, and you will have to pay his former employer the 35% of the premium.
I'm afraid that the former employer is either trying to get out of paying for your insurance by delaying your getting the paperwork through in time, or is woefully ignorant of the laws that pertain to this situation.
I just talked to my insurance friend a few minutes ago; she got the updated information this morning.
Through the stimulous package, anyone that has been terminated between September 2008 and September 2009 is eligible for this subsidy, the low-cost COBRA payments, with the 65% of the premiums being paid by the former employer. The only way the employer gets out of this, is if the company goes bankrupt.
Please call the insurance company today! As soon as you can. You shouldn't have to cancel your appointments; after talking to your insurance company, you should be able to call and reschedule your appointments.
The law is on your side, so please find the energy to call the insurance company, explain your situation, especially that the ex-employer told you to wait for a call from the insurance company, when you know that it is the employers legal responsibility to get the COBRA paperwork to you. Ask their advice what to do, see if you can download the forms and get this thing moving!
Sending you strength and warmth and caring concern,
Kathy
His employer has, by law, 14 days after termination to get the COBRA information to him. It is their legal responsibility.
It is not up to the insurance company; the employer will have to pay the insurance company the 65% of the premium, and you will have to pay his former employer the 35% of the premium.
I'm afraid that the former employer is either trying to get out of paying for your insurance by delaying your getting the paperwork through in time, or is woefully ignorant of the laws that pertain to this situation.
I just talked to my insurance friend a few minutes ago; she got the updated information this morning.
Through the stimulous package, anyone that has been terminated between September 2008 and September 2009 is eligible for this subsidy, the low-cost COBRA payments, with the 65% of the premiums being paid by the former employer. The only way the employer gets out of this, is if the company goes bankrupt.
Please call the insurance company today! As soon as you can. You shouldn't have to cancel your appointments; after talking to your insurance company, you should be able to call and reschedule your appointments.
The law is on your side, so please find the energy to call the insurance company, explain your situation, especially that the ex-employer told you to wait for a call from the insurance company, when you know that it is the employers legal responsibility to get the COBRA paperwork to you. Ask their advice what to do, see if you can download the forms and get this thing moving!
Sending you strength and warmth and caring concern,
Kathy
Thank you for your support and prays right now...My family and I really need them.
We did a lot of running today. My husband filed for unemployment online because the wait on the phone would have been an hour. When he went to drop off his work van and other items we had another blow. According to his work, we no longer have insurance. It ended the day he was laid off, which was last week. We have to wait for the insurance company to call us to find out about COBRA.
I called the medicaid office and told them the situation. They said with the money that he made recently (the long hours and overtime in KY) , it would be likely that we would be denied coverage. We would have to apply later (in April sometime) when he is making less money.
I called the lung specialist and the opthamologist today to cancel appointments. I plan on running back up to the hospital and getting a copy of the disk of the CT scan and hopefully it will contain the radiologist report. I explained the situation to the lung specialist office and they said they will call when they get the reports if something is bad. As far as my eyes, I guess they have to wait.
I do feel like I'm in a depression but I know deep down I can pull through this. I wish I could see my doctor but we really can't spend the money. I have an older RX for antidepressant that I needed when I first was having problems and the pain was unbearable. The pain really got me down and I guess maybe I should take the medication again. I do have some left.
The only medicine I'm worried about, is my Baclofen. I've missed doses of that before and it wasn't pretty. The spasms were so bad I could take a full breath. I can't go without it and I have less than a month supply.
I've thought about applying for SSDI but I know there is one part that I could not get because I haven't got the working history. I've been a stay-at-home mom for years and I know through that paperwork they send you, that I don't have enough credits to get one part. I don't know much about the subject..but I think I could get SSI...just not SSDI....but I don't know. I've had problems for years...and whatever this is that I have..has effected me for years and has went unchecked and unDX. I'm just now at a point when evidence is starting to show..but so is damage.
I'll look into the COBRA as soon as they call with the info on it. Other than that, I'm trying to stay busy and keep my mind on things I can control, and off of things I can't.
Thank you for the reassurance...I just need someone to tell me everything will be ok sometimes.
About my father...I still speak with him occasionally. It's a very long and soap opera filled story where I come from. I decided to forgive because I knew that this is the only father I will get..good or bad..he is mine. He has some level of being competent..but I'm scared that something will happened to him and we (my siblings and I ) will not have our chance to say our goodbyes. When he has went in the hospital before, I've spoke with his nurses about the situation. Most said that we would have to hear things through his wife. I've told him that I want to know about his health...and without stirring things up...I've told him that I'm not getting that information and he had no problem with the nurses telling me. I'll have to see about going through a patient advocate next time.
Thanks again for all the support... hugs...and prays...I do feel loved. I just hope that this stress will let up soon and I can get back to my cheery self. I'm trying to stay strong and I'm trying to think things will work out....and I know they will eventually... but when you don't feel physically strong..your emotions follow suite.
Love you All
We did a lot of running today. My husband filed for unemployment online because the wait on the phone would have been an hour. When he went to drop off his work van and other items we had another blow. According to his work, we no longer have insurance. It ended the day he was laid off, which was last week. We have to wait for the insurance company to call us to find out about COBRA.
I called the medicaid office and told them the situation. They said with the money that he made recently (the long hours and overtime in KY) , it would be likely that we would be denied coverage. We would have to apply later (in April sometime) when he is making less money.
I called the lung specialist and the opthamologist today to cancel appointments. I plan on running back up to the hospital and getting a copy of the disk of the CT scan and hopefully it will contain the radiologist report. I explained the situation to the lung specialist office and they said they will call when they get the reports if something is bad. As far as my eyes, I guess they have to wait.
I do feel like I'm in a depression but I know deep down I can pull through this. I wish I could see my doctor but we really can't spend the money. I have an older RX for antidepressant that I needed when I first was having problems and the pain was unbearable. The pain really got me down and I guess maybe I should take the medication again. I do have some left.
The only medicine I'm worried about, is my Baclofen. I've missed doses of that before and it wasn't pretty. The spasms were so bad I could take a full breath. I can't go without it and I have less than a month supply.
I've thought about applying for SSDI but I know there is one part that I could not get because I haven't got the working history. I've been a stay-at-home mom for years and I know through that paperwork they send you, that I don't have enough credits to get one part. I don't know much about the subject..but I think I could get SSI...just not SSDI....but I don't know. I've had problems for years...and whatever this is that I have..has effected me for years and has went unchecked and unDX. I'm just now at a point when evidence is starting to show..but so is damage.
I'll look into the COBRA as soon as they call with the info on it. Other than that, I'm trying to stay busy and keep my mind on things I can control, and off of things I can't.
Thank you for the reassurance...I just need someone to tell me everything will be ok sometimes.
About my father...I still speak with him occasionally. It's a very long and soap opera filled story where I come from. I decided to forgive because I knew that this is the only father I will get..good or bad..he is mine. He has some level of being competent..but I'm scared that something will happened to him and we (my siblings and I ) will not have our chance to say our goodbyes. When he has went in the hospital before, I've spoke with his nurses about the situation. Most said that we would have to hear things through his wife. I've told him that I want to know about his health...and without stirring things up...I've told him that I'm not getting that information and he had no problem with the nurses telling me. I'll have to see about going through a patient advocate next time.
Thanks again for all the support... hugs...and prays...I do feel loved. I just hope that this stress will let up soon and I can get back to my cheery self. I'm trying to stay strong and I'm trying to think things will work out....and I know they will eventually... but when you don't feel physically strong..your emotions follow suite.
Love you All
slightly broken
you have gotten great advise here i just wanted to pop on and say your in my thoughts and prayers and i can see a way out of this for you.
hugs
sam
you have gotten great advise here i just wanted to pop on and say your in my thoughts and prayers and i can see a way out of this for you.
hugs
sam
Oh, honey, I'm so sorry you are going through this! I know I don't know you but I wish I were there to give you a hug. Since I'm not there, I'm going to do the only thing I know to do and that is to say a special prayer for you. You certainly have alot going on.
Do check on the Cobra. As a part of the stimulus plan, you should receive a big discount on your premium. If there are more than 20 employees, your employer will pay the biggest portion of the premium. If there are 20 or less people on the group, the insurance co. pays the biggest portion of the premium. This is a much better deal than it used to be and it went into effect 03/01/09.
Keep your chin high. Meanwhile, I'm praying for you!!!!!!
Do check on the Cobra. As a part of the stimulus plan, you should receive a big discount on your premium. If there are more than 20 employees, your employer will pay the biggest portion of the premium. If there are 20 or less people on the group, the insurance co. pays the biggest portion of the premium. This is a much better deal than it used to be and it went into effect 03/01/09.
Keep your chin high. Meanwhile, I'm praying for you!!!!!!
Hi Sweety,
All this stress is enough to bring on depression. I'm so sorry this is happening to you both.
In addition to what has been said above, I was thinking.... can you get that appt. moved up? Still fit it in w/in while covered until you get the COBRA lined up?
Oh, Slightly-B, you sure have had your share of things going on, and you do have pre-existing medical issues that you absolutely cannot NOT have some sort of insurance. I'm w/Doc Q with the SSDI suggestion - going to be very important to your future.
Pop back in - send us your thought on this....
((((hugs)))
Shell
All this stress is enough to bring on depression. I'm so sorry this is happening to you both.
In addition to what has been said above, I was thinking.... can you get that appt. moved up? Still fit it in w/in while covered until you get the COBRA lined up?
Oh, Slightly-B, you sure have had your share of things going on, and you do have pre-existing medical issues that you absolutely cannot NOT have some sort of insurance. I'm w/Doc Q with the SSDI suggestion - going to be very important to your future.
Pop back in - send us your thought on this....
((((hugs)))
Shell
In the last few years the COBRA has been around 18 months. In 2002, mine was 19 months - it was calculated to take me until Medicare kicked in.
That is another possibility - to apply for SSDI. In your case, SB, you have had hospitalizations and those sway the SSA quite a bit, I am told.
You can have a break in "Credible Coverage" of no more than 62 days - two full months. As long as the break is 62 days or less, you must be considered for coverage and the pre-existing stuff can't be invoked.
Q
That is another possibility - to apply for SSDI. In your case, SB, you have had hospitalizations and those sway the SSA quite a bit, I am told.
You can have a break in "Credible Coverage" of no more than 62 days - two full months. As long as the break is 62 days or less, you must be considered for coverage and the pre-existing stuff can't be invoked.
Q
Hello, I'm finally back after checking with my friend with the insurance background. She said that definitely with the new stimulus, your portion of COBRA payments will be right around what Lulu said, and you should be able to afford it with your husband's unemployment.
There are changes still being made, but my friend thinks that you can have continued insurance coverage under COBRA for quite a while (she thought almost a year, but didn't have a chance to look it up yet), plenty of time for follow-ups and more tests if necessary.
As long is there is no break in insurance coverage, there will be no issue with pre-existing conditions, even if your husband gets hired by a company with a totally different insurance.
Also, unemployment benefits are being extended, so your husband should have quite a bit of time to find a job.
Take good care of you,
Kathy
There are changes still being made, but my friend thinks that you can have continued insurance coverage under COBRA for quite a while (she thought almost a year, but didn't have a chance to look it up yet), plenty of time for follow-ups and more tests if necessary.
As long is there is no break in insurance coverage, there will be no issue with pre-existing conditions, even if your husband gets hired by a company with a totally different insurance.
Also, unemployment benefits are being extended, so your husband should have quite a bit of time to find a job.
Take good care of you,
Kathy
I too am awfully sorry about all you have to deal with right now. The others above have given you some good suggestions and leads. I hope these will help you and you can see your way clear just a bit better.
Whether you have sarcoidosis I don't know, but you sure seem to have done your homework about it. Several years ago I was sent for a CT scan for this as well, and obviously it came out clear, good news for me, but not helpful in diagnosing what I DID have.
I've read up a little on sarcoidosis, and learned that it often resolves on its own. That would be a great outcome for you, no?
Hang in there, and remember that you can always seek support here.
ess
Whether you have sarcoidosis I don't know, but you sure seem to have done your homework about it. Several years ago I was sent for a CT scan for this as well, and obviously it came out clear, good news for me, but not helpful in diagnosing what I DID have.
I've read up a little on sarcoidosis, and learned that it often resolves on its own. That would be a great outcome for you, no?
Hang in there, and remember that you can always seek support here.
ess
Oh, SB, it does all seem like it's piling on higher and deeper - your own (Less than) Perfect Storm.
We all want so much for you to get through this - and be unscathed. I'm concerned at one of the same things you are. You seem to be diving deeper into a real depression - a mjor depression - and that is the thing that is most immediately dangerous. I want to you contact your PCP at once for an urgent visit to be evaluated for this and maybe get some medication (new or adjusted). Please promise me you will do this.
Wow, I hadn't really put together all your pieces that point to NeuroSarcoid. That is quite a list and makes me wonder what the hold up is. The meningeal lesions are so characteristic along with the other stuff. When the disease invades the central nervous system it can cause almost all of the symptoms that MS can - even spasms, I would think.
I do believe you will find a way to afford the COBRA, I feel confident about that. I think you should contact the pulmonologist's office and tell them you are about to lose your insurance and would they work you in sooner. I did this all the time in practice. Talk to the office manager and be blunt with them.
Is your father still mentally competent? Can you get any access to him at all? I was wondering if he could give the hospital instructions to notify you also of any admission. Talk to the patient advocate at the hospital and see what could be done to bypass the isolation techniques of his wife. She may have Medical Power of Attorney or something, but if he is competent he should be able to have a request to have the hospital let you know he has been admitted.
You and your husband will be in my thoughts. I want so much for your mysteries to be solved and some treatment to begin. You know you are a founding member of this forum and I need to have someone around so I can play with your name.
Promise me to get help for the depression. Being immobilized with that will make all of what is happening seem darker and more insurmountable than it really is. Promise?
Know that you are loved
Mama Quix
We all want so much for you to get through this - and be unscathed. I'm concerned at one of the same things you are. You seem to be diving deeper into a real depression - a mjor depression - and that is the thing that is most immediately dangerous. I want to you contact your PCP at once for an urgent visit to be evaluated for this and maybe get some medication (new or adjusted). Please promise me you will do this.
Wow, I hadn't really put together all your pieces that point to NeuroSarcoid. That is quite a list and makes me wonder what the hold up is. The meningeal lesions are so characteristic along with the other stuff. When the disease invades the central nervous system it can cause almost all of the symptoms that MS can - even spasms, I would think.
I do believe you will find a way to afford the COBRA, I feel confident about that. I think you should contact the pulmonologist's office and tell them you are about to lose your insurance and would they work you in sooner. I did this all the time in practice. Talk to the office manager and be blunt with them.
Is your father still mentally competent? Can you get any access to him at all? I was wondering if he could give the hospital instructions to notify you also of any admission. Talk to the patient advocate at the hospital and see what could be done to bypass the isolation techniques of his wife. She may have Medical Power of Attorney or something, but if he is competent he should be able to have a request to have the hospital let you know he has been admitted.
You and your husband will be in my thoughts. I want so much for your mysteries to be solved and some treatment to begin. You know you are a founding member of this forum and I need to have someone around so I can play with your name.
Promise me to get help for the depression. Being immobilized with that will make all of what is happening seem darker and more insurmountable than it really is. Promise?
Know that you are loved
Mama Quix
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