Health insurance anxiety

I was self-employed for many years, had COBRA after I left my last employer then bought a UHC plan with high deductible.   I had he UHC plan when I got CRC in 2016 - so I paid the high deductible, and they did their part - no complaints.  In late 2017 I qualified for Medicare (65yo).   I will note the UHC plan cost less than COBRA, so  I could have saved some money searching out plans instead of COBRA..

I *believe* the ACA plans cannot exclude for most pre-existing conditins, including cancer.

https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/financial-considerations/cancer-and-affordable-care-act

https://www.healthcare.gov/get-coverage/

ACA insurances also subsidized if your income is low (~$46k couple) which might apply.

Many states operate subsidized high-risk insurance pools for those who can't qualify for other insurance.

It's very difficult to itemize on taxes and deduct the medical expenses (those beyond the 7.5% or 10% of AGI), b/c the new tax plan has a $24k std deduction for couples, and only a $10k max allowance for tate&local&property taxes.    There is probably still a way to pay your share (premiums. co-pays etc) with pre-tax dollars, but you should contact a tax expert.

My husband is also concerned about loosing his job because of time off needed for treatment, and our insurance is through his employer. If your employer is large enough you are proteced....

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)...

The Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 gives you the right to take time off due to illness or caring for an ill dependent without losing your job. This law:

• guarantees that eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, which can be used all at once or in increments as short as a few hours at a time.
• guarantees that eligible employees maintain their health insurance benefits while out on leave.
• guarantees that an employee who returns to work will be given his or her previous position or an equivalent job with the same salary, benefits and other conditions of employment.

To qualify for FMLA, an employee must have worked for his or her employer for at least 12 months, including at least 1,250 hours during the most recent 12 months. The law applies to workers at all government agencies and schools nationwide, as well as private companies with 50 or more employees within 75 miles.

I wonder has anyone using Medicare Advantage plan. I am under 65 years old and has Aetna through my wife’s employer and I have secondary Medicare. My wife is going leave job soon and I will have Medicare only and will be responsible 20 % of everything which is going to cost a lot with chemo every 2 weeks. Insurance  companies will not sell secondary insurance, Medigap because I am under 65. one of the insurance agent asked me to buy Medicare Advantage plan. I called MD Anderson they told me they have no contract with Medicare Advantage but with Advantage Humana plan they can work with. Has anyone have same type of problem and Medicare Advantage is working or not? I am not sure about it. Thanks for input.