anyone on COBRA?

grannyc
grannyc Member Posts: 63
in Colorectal Cancer #1
I went to social security office today to find out about options for SSDI. I told them I am working but I think my emploer is going to lay me off becasue I can't work 40 hrs a week.

I am most concerened about health insurance...well he told me COBRA woull cover 18 months but that medicare wouldn't start until I had been getting SSDI for 24 months....so that looks like at least a 6 month period without any health insurance. I can't afford that!!!

anyway I was doing some research online on COBRA and i read something about COBRA benefits could be extended if you are disabled, does anyone know about this?

thanks,
Grannyc

Comments

  • SisterSledge
    SisterSledge Member Posts: 332 Member
    #2
    Cobra, SSD and Medicaid
    Dunno why my post doubled...erased the extra one here.
  • SisterSledge
    SisterSledge Member Posts: 332 Member
    #3
    Cobra, SSD and Medicaid
    I don't know a lot, but I can tell you what I do know from my own experiences with Cobra, SSD and Medicaid thus far into my cancer journey...

    In early July 2010 I was diagnosed to have a large tumor in my colon needing removed surgically. Two days later, my husband was laid off from his job and told his health benefits would end on July 31st. I had to purchase Cobra for myself to assure we could deal with my medical expenses going forward. Since neither my husband nor myself was employed, we couldn't afford coverage for anyone but me and it cost approx $130monthly for just myself. As soon as I had the surgery done, I canceled the Cobra as we couldn't afford it anymore and I thought I was on the path to health, with my tumor labeled benign and removed. There is a clause that Cobra continues for six months with no payment after cancellation for the medical issue(s) being treated when canceled, so my coverage went on for six months, covering followups with surgeon and such.

    When I was diagnosed with cancer in early Feb, I immediately applied for Medicaid, as we had no insurance or money (still no jobs)...I'm still awaiting red tape to complete the process of approval :( But, I am assured the approval will come as we meet income/asset guidelines.

    After completing all the filings for Medicaid I was able to turn my energies over to applying for SSD, which ended up being much easier to do than the Medicaid. I got a call after only one month saying I was approved! Unfortunately, they do have a five month waiting period for which no payment is given so I won't see any actual benefit until July. Good thing about SSD, if you are disabled and have kids under eighteen and in school, they get benefits too!

    Lastly, one of the form letters I received from Medicaid stated that if you are eligible for SSD, you are also eligible for Medicaid.

    Hope that helps some,
    Janine

    Added:
    You can apply online for Medicaid and SSD but I found it helpful to do it sitting down with a case worker...they are more helpful in promoting your case for quicker action if they're invested by meeting you and I don't think the online forms provide any way to state the extreme need for timeliness that stage4 cancer dx implies.
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #4
    COBRA
    Hi,

    I was on COBRA for 36 months. I live in California and I got regular COBRA health benefits for 18 months, then it transferred to CalCOBRA ( state program). I had assumed all states had the extra 18 months, but maybe not. Where do you live? Make sure you ask about that. It would be called something else if you're not in California. The "Cal" is for California.
    My 36 months expired May 1st & so now I am on a "guaranteed" plan through the same health insurance company (Health Net). I pay $909 a month for just me- definitely not cheap, but I'm glad to have insurance.
    Check out and google info in your state to see if there are any more options for you so you don't have a gap.

    Best wishes-
    Lisa
  • damama24
    damama24 Member Posts: 174 Member
    #5
    lisa42 said:

    COBRA
    Hi,

    I was on COBRA for 36 months. I live in California and I got regular COBRA health benefits for 18 months, then it transferred to CalCOBRA ( state program). I had assumed all states had the extra 18 months, but maybe not. Where do you live? Make sure you ask about that. It would be called something else if you're not in California. The "Cal" is for California.
    My 36 months expired May 1st & so now I am on a "guaranteed" plan through the same health insurance company (Health Net). I pay $909 a month for just me- definitely not cheap, but I'm glad to have insurance.
    Check out and google info in your state to see if there are any more options for you so you don't have a gap.

    Best wishes-
    Lisa

    Cobra
    I am currently on cobra and SSDI. Since I qualifyed for SSDI I was able to get an 11 month extension of cobra benefits beyond the original 18 months. The 11 months will cover the gap until I qualify for medicare. The only hitch is you must be declared disabled within 60 days of starting cobra. I applied for SSDI shortly after dx. I planned on going back to work but things just didn't go that way. I didn't have any problems getting the SSDI and am fortunate that the cancer treatment center I go to has a program that helps me afford my cobra payments. Hope this information helps.
    Deb
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #6
    damama24 said:

    Cobra
    I am currently on cobra and SSDI. Since I qualifyed for SSDI I was able to get an 11 month extension of cobra benefits beyond the original 18 months. The 11 months will cover the gap until I qualify for medicare. The only hitch is you must be declared disabled within 60 days of starting cobra. I applied for SSDI shortly after dx. I planned on going back to work but things just didn't go that way. I didn't have any problems getting the SSDI and am fortunate that the cancer treatment center I go to has a program that helps me afford my cobra payments. Hope this information helps.
    Deb

    COBRA Extensions


    Q9: Can individuals qualify for longer periods of COBRA continuation coverage?

    Yes, disability can extend the 18 month period of continuation coverage for a qualifying event that is a termination of employment or reduction of hours. To qualify for additional months of COBRA continuation coverage, the qualified beneficiary must:

    Have a ruling from the Social Security Administration that he or she became disabled within the first 60 days of COBRA continuation coverage
    Send the plan a copy of the Social Security ruling letter within 60 days of receipt, but prior to expiration of the 18-month period of coverage

    If these requirements are met, the entire family qualifies for an additional 11 months of COBRA continuation coverage. Plans can charge 150% of the premium cost for the extended period of coverage.


    http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq-consumer-cobra.html
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #7
    I am on COBRA right now.
    I am on COBRA right now. It's very expensive. I pay almost 700 a month just for myself. Ouch. But thank goodness at the same time.
  • BettyJoM
    BettyJoM Member Posts: 82
    #8
    Cobra
    when my benefits ran out from the hospital where I worked, I had to go on Cobra until medicare kicked in at 2 years on SSDI.
    I bought Cobra for about 6 months, it was almost $500 just for myself. It could have been extended if I had needed but not sure of the length
    Please be careful if you purchase medicare supplemental insurance. The one I bought did not cover the medicare donut hole for medications and I was really caught off guard when I got a DVT from the chemo. The shots were $2000 a month, and not covered

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