cobra/kaiser

katabo
katabo Member Posts: 61
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
anyone have to go thru this ?new med insurance will not accept pre-existing condition?i've called for a cobra application and im concerned about the cost. also have an ultrasound for small lump on other breast. liver biopsy/a few other tests. all i know is im suppose to continue without worrying.

Comments

  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #2
    Kat, I've had cobra for past 18 months, expired this month because I got medicare. I paid $278/mo kinda high compared to $50/mo at work, but a lot cheaper than my med bills. Also, cobra is a conversion policy from employment to unemployed, so they can't discriminate against you or deny coverage due to 'pre-existing' condition. Private insurance or a new policy can. Hope this helps. hummb
  • geral
    geral Member Posts: 130
    #3
    Hi!
    ...It's enough to have to deal with cancer without having to worry about health insurance! I'm sorry your insurance will not accept pre-existing conditions. If you're questioning this rejection you could contact your state insurance commissioner (yellow pages). Before doing that, check out this site 'www.cobrahealth.com. It gives you info on HIPAA (law on pre-existing condition) as well as cobra isurance.
    ...Three years ago I resigned from a job without having another job, so I had to go on Cobra. Nine months later, I was diagnosed with BC, so I continued with Cobra since I hadn't returned to work. I took advantage of Cobra for a total of 18 mos. @ $170-190/mo. I say 'took advantage' because at the end of the maximum 18 mos., I had to purchase an individual health policy which has ranged from $570-$607/mo.! Consider yourself fortunate that you have the Cobra option. ...Hopefully, your premiums will not be bad. When I had it, my premiums were very close to what I had been paying for group insurance while working. I think I remember reading that Cobra premiums can only be up to 10% higher than what you were paying while working.
    ...Because I went directly from Cobra coverage to Trigon individual coverage, Trigon could not reject me for pre-existing condition.
    ...This month, I became eligible for Medicare which is a whole other headache(supplements, premiums, etc.)!
    ...I hope your transition goes smoothly.
    Take care...
    Geral
  • ksfc
    ksfc Member Posts: 251
    #4
    geral said:

    Hi!
    ...It's enough to have to deal with cancer without having to worry about health insurance! I'm sorry your insurance will not accept pre-existing conditions. If you're questioning this rejection you could contact your state insurance commissioner (yellow pages). Before doing that, check out this site 'www.cobrahealth.com. It gives you info on HIPAA (law on pre-existing condition) as well as cobra isurance.
    ...Three years ago I resigned from a job without having another job, so I had to go on Cobra. Nine months later, I was diagnosed with BC, so I continued with Cobra since I hadn't returned to work. I took advantage of Cobra for a total of 18 mos. @ $170-190/mo. I say 'took advantage' because at the end of the maximum 18 mos., I had to purchase an individual health policy which has ranged from $570-$607/mo.! Consider yourself fortunate that you have the Cobra option. ...Hopefully, your premiums will not be bad. When I had it, my premiums were very close to what I had been paying for group insurance while working. I think I remember reading that Cobra premiums can only be up to 10% higher than what you were paying while working.
    ...Because I went directly from Cobra coverage to Trigon individual coverage, Trigon could not reject me for pre-existing condition.
    ...This month, I became eligible for Medicare which is a whole other headache(supplements, premiums, etc.)!
    ...I hope your transition goes smoothly.
    Take care...
    Geral

    This is something that I'm getting ready to deal with. Starting in June my husband will be self-employed. We can cobra for 18 months, but it's going to cost us $800 a month because since he's the one that holds the insurance, he has to cobra both of us, not just me. Currently our group insurance is about $300 monthly. We're hoping to find another option, but for now, it makes me really nervous. I'm still a long way from medicare so that's not an option. Geral - did you have trouble finding a company that was willing to take you? I know it will be expensive, but I'm more afraid of not being able to find any health insurance at all.
    Peace - Diane
  • geral
    geral Member Posts: 130
    #5
    ksfc said:

    This is something that I'm getting ready to deal with. Starting in June my husband will be self-employed. We can cobra for 18 months, but it's going to cost us $800 a month because since he's the one that holds the insurance, he has to cobra both of us, not just me. Currently our group insurance is about $300 monthly. We're hoping to find another option, but for now, it makes me really nervous. I'm still a long way from medicare so that's not an option. Geral - did you have trouble finding a company that was willing to take you? I know it will be expensive, but I'm more afraid of not being able to find any health insurance at all.
    Peace - Diane

    Hi Diane!

    When I worked, I had Trigon before going on Cobra. After Cobra ended, I went with a Trigon individual policy. Now that I'm on Medicare, I have a Trigon supplement policy. Because I've continued with Trigon throughout my insurance changes, they had to automatically approve me. Switching to a new provider could subject you to underwriting where you may or may not be approved, or you may have a 3,6, or 12 mo. waiting period. And who of us can WAIT to have health insurance?!?

    Unfortunately, you and your husband may have to 'bite the bullet' and 'shell out' $800/mo. It's hard, it's REALLY hard. As I mentioned in my other post, the Trigon individual policy I just ended was $607/mo. As of 4/03, it would've been $720/mo.! Be glad you're eligible for cobra coverage 'cause I hate to discourage you but even with Medicare things can be tight. I just became eligible this month. As of 1/03, my Medicare premium will be $58/mo. My Trigon medicare supplement policy will be $463/mo. So I'll still be paying $521/mo. with NO prescription coverage!

    That really is a big leap for you from $300-$800. It might make you feel better to shop around for insurance for self-employed + spouse. Start with your current insurance company. I think when you receive the quote, you'll decide you're lucky to have the Cobra option. Also, make sure they'll automatically approve you when it comes time for you to go off of Cobra.

    I hope I've answered your questions. Please feel free to ask more.

    Take care...
    Geral
  • ksfc
    ksfc Member Posts: 251
    #6
    geral said:

    Hi Diane!

    When I worked, I had Trigon before going on Cobra. After Cobra ended, I went with a Trigon individual policy. Now that I'm on Medicare, I have a Trigon supplement policy. Because I've continued with Trigon throughout my insurance changes, they had to automatically approve me. Switching to a new provider could subject you to underwriting where you may or may not be approved, or you may have a 3,6, or 12 mo. waiting period. And who of us can WAIT to have health insurance?!?

    Unfortunately, you and your husband may have to 'bite the bullet' and 'shell out' $800/mo. It's hard, it's REALLY hard. As I mentioned in my other post, the Trigon individual policy I just ended was $607/mo. As of 4/03, it would've been $720/mo.! Be glad you're eligible for cobra coverage 'cause I hate to discourage you but even with Medicare things can be tight. I just became eligible this month. As of 1/03, my Medicare premium will be $58/mo. My Trigon medicare supplement policy will be $463/mo. So I'll still be paying $521/mo. with NO prescription coverage!

    That really is a big leap for you from $300-$800. It might make you feel better to shop around for insurance for self-employed + spouse. Start with your current insurance company. I think when you receive the quote, you'll decide you're lucky to have the Cobra option. Also, make sure they'll automatically approve you when it comes time for you to go off of Cobra.

    I hope I've answered your questions. Please feel free to ask more.

    Take care...
    Geral

    Thanks Geral! I appreciate the info.
    Peace- Diane
  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #7
    Found an article you might find helpful it's on our CSN start page, but u have to go to bottom and bring up specific topic 'breast cancer'. It's Women's Health Act and Cancer Rights Act, should be on web under Dept of Labor or
    1-800-998-7542. Seems to deal mostly w/ mast and recon, but think it will have things re:pre-existing conditions. Hope this helps. God bless. hummb

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