Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Health Insurance (Expert Forum)
Really worried about our future
Answered by
Amir Mostafaie - health insurance, insurance
eHealthInsurance
Gold River - CA
This forum is for questions and support regarding health insurance issues such as Medicare, Medicaid, Long-term health insurance, COBRA, insurance portability.
Really worried about our future
by heart2heart, Dec 05, 2007 09:36PM
Hello,
Perhaps you have some answers for us. My husband works for a major company but will be getting permenantly laid off sometime in 2008, we have no idea as to the date, it most likely will be in the 1st or 2nd quarter. I am not employed and on SSDI. I am on my husband's company group insurance plan. I just signed up for Medicare part B and took an advantage plan with part D in it. I started looking over the plan and my medications and realized I will be in the "donut hole" in the first quarter of 2008 at the same time my husband will probably be out of work! I am on 10 prescriptions and I don't think I can even pay the co pays before the donut hole! (My plan right now is manageable) My husband will go on Cobra (over $450) but because I am older than him my Cobra will be over $650.00/mo and we can not pay the outragous Cobra amount. He will get a good severance pay considering he spent a long time with the company but again, we don't know how long it will take for him to find a job and we need the severance money also to help pay the Cobra insurance and living expenses. My question is how will I pay for my prescriptions while my husband is unemployed??? Every state aid plan/drug help plan I looked at calls for a low income and they will want to see our 2007 W2 form which will be over the limit they ask for.
Perhaps you have some answers for us. My husband works for a major company but will be getting permenantly laid off sometime in 2008, we have no idea as to the date, it most likely will be in the 1st or 2nd quarter. I am not employed and on SSDI. I am on my husband's company group insurance plan. I just signed up for Medicare part B and took an advantage plan with part D in it. I started looking over the plan and my medications and realized I will be in the "donut hole" in the first quarter of 2008 at the same time my husband will probably be out of work! I am on 10 prescriptions and I don't think I can even pay the co pays before the donut hole! (My plan right now is manageable) My husband will go on Cobra (over $450) but because I am older than him my Cobra will be over $650.00/mo and we can not pay the outragous Cobra amount. He will get a good severance pay considering he spent a long time with the company but again, we don't know how long it will take for him to find a job and we need the severance money also to help pay the Cobra insurance and living expenses. My question is how will I pay for my prescriptions while my husband is unemployed??? Every state aid plan/drug help plan I looked at calls for a low income and they will want to see our 2007 W2 form which will be over the limit they ask for.
Doctor's Answer
by Amir Mostafaie, Dec 08, 2007 01:04AM
, Dec 08, 2007 01:04AM
To: heart2heart
Dear heart2heart,
Even though you have done some homework, let's list a few options;
- Your husband may be able to find employment with benefits soon after he is separated from his current position & you may be able to stay on a group plan.
- If your husband is in fairly good health, he may qualify for an Individual plan which is sometimes more affordable than COBRA & that will cut down your cost.
- If you end up opting for COBRA, your age shouldn't make it more expensive because COBRA, similar to other group products don't rate you on the basis of your age but on the base of the average age of your group.
- You mentioned that you have checked many resources for help. Have you checked www.needymeds.com? I have found them to be more versatile than others.
Sincerely,
Amir Mostafaie
Even though you have done some homework, let's list a few options;
- Your husband may be able to find employment with benefits soon after he is separated from his current position & you may be able to stay on a group plan.
- If your husband is in fairly good health, he may qualify for an Individual plan which is sometimes more affordable than COBRA & that will cut down your cost.
- If you end up opting for COBRA, your age shouldn't make it more expensive because COBRA, similar to other group products don't rate you on the basis of your age but on the base of the average age of your group.
- You mentioned that you have checked many resources for help. Have you checked www.needymeds.com? I have found them to be more versatile than others.
Sincerely,
Amir Mostafaie
You mentioned that you were on SSDI, and that you take 10 medications, there may be a SNP (Special Needs Plan) available, that would help with that.
I agree with Amir. If your husband is healthy enough, he may wish to go with a major medical plan. I would recommend a High Deductible Health Plan, that you can fund, and use the monies to pay for your health issues.