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Do you know where I can get Cobra medical health insurance? Hey guys! I'm wanting some price quotes and info on Cobra medical health insurance. Thanks!

Medical deduction for health insurance premium paid under COBRA rules? I started 2007 working as a consultant for a start-up company. I kept my health insurance from a previous employer paying the full monthly premiums under the COBRA rules. About mid-year the company hired me fulltime, but their healthcare plan wasn't as good as the one I had through my former employer. Because of this I stayed on that plan paying my monthly premiums under the COBRA rules. My company reimbursed me for the portion of the premium that they would have paid for me under their health plan (which amounted to about one half of what I paid for the COBRA plan). Tax question: What, if any, part of the COBRA insurance premiums I paid can be written off on a Schedule A under medical deductions?

Can medical insurance be canceled now that the new health care laws have been enacted? A friend was laid off and was given COBRA medical insurance for 18 months. The 18 month period ends Oct. 31, 2010. Since the new health care laws have been enacted can they still cancel her medical insurance or are we playing under different rules now? From the first two answers it appears that this may be a "state" thing instead of being governed by a federal law. Which seems strange since the health care reform bill was a federal mandate. Anyway, we live in Virginia.

COBRA health insurance and preexisting conditions? I live in New Jersey and have a preexisting medical condition (HIV) and currently have COBRA health insurance. I am currently unemployed. When I start a new job, will I have to use up all of my COBRA before I can enroll in my new employer's health plan because of my preexisting condition?

Can I get approved for health insurance if my medical records show a history of drug use? I had applied for health insurance after I couldn't stay on my parents' policy and I ended up being denied because of past illegal substance use that was recorded in my medical record. I ended up getting insurance using the COBRA law, but it's pretty pricey. I'm now up for health benefits through my job and I was wondering if there's a chance I'd be denied health insurance through my employer. Anyone with personal experience with something similar?

COBRA Health Insurance? If I buy health insurance w COBRA coverage from my previous employer, does it mean I dont' have to worry about insurance companies who only cover you after 1 year of no health problems. I might have medical condition now. I went to hospital w/o insurance and got back home the same day withi limited tests done. The doctor said I have to get more tests done to find out more but I left the hospital fearing the medical invoice I am going to get will be too much. If I bought COBRA Insurance from my previous employer can I use it immediately

Can you deduct COBRA insurance premiums paid on Sch A of the 1040? Since COBRA health insurance premiums are paid with after tax dollars, can you deduct them on Schedule A as medical expenses on the 1040 form? If you can find a source website, please list it. Thanks

Family Medical Insurance Options in California? I have been working with an insurance broker to try and reduce our $1,500 COBRA health insurance premium to something more manageable. I have just learned that due to our 6-month old's medical condition, namely Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) we are not entitled to family health insurance for my son. I have written more about this on our blog: http://wecansurvivethiseconomy.com/ We can get insurance for the rest of us but that leaves my son with nothing which is obviously not an option. So instead of moving to a more affordable plan costing around $500 per month we have to stick with COBRA until this small hole (currently around 1-2 mm) closes. Does anyone know of any other options?

how does COBRA insurance work? ok so I left my old job last friday to take a new one this monday. This Wednesday I became ill and had to go to the hospital, now I'm trying to figure out how to handle insurance. Both my employers should have provided me with medical insurance. Basically my new employer in our agreement said I'd have all benefits effective my date of hire but have yet to sign me up for a medical plan yet so I have none of that health insurance information. My old employer is supposed to send me a cobra form in the mail which has yet to happen yet. My new employer has told me to go with my old employers insurance as they don't have my info yet. My question is who should I go after for insurance my new employer to get me my insurance info or my old employer to get me the COBRA form which they promised me? Should I be concerned at this point? Without insurance I've racked up some hefty medical bills.... yes I said that right and have it in writing... I started monday went to the hospital on wednesday two days after my start date and my insurance is supposed to start on my date of hire but the paperwork hasn't been processed yet. no I prob managed to rack up a thousand or so dollars in medical bills in a couple days the cash only rate isn't a good way to go.

Health insurance question (relates to COBRA and Social Security)? This is a question for people with a lot of arcane knowledge about health insurance... I was just approved for Social Security disability and Medicare. I am having trouble deciding if I should drop my COBRA coverage from my last job. The COBRA is costing me about $450 a month, which is a lot for me. But I have a lot of prescription drug expenses. Without any insurance, I would be spending about $800 a month on drugs. With my COBRA, I spend only about $200. If I drop my COBRA coverage, I can then apply for Medicare Part D, the drug program. But its drug reimbursement is weaker than what I am getting under COBRA and there will be a period ("the doughnut") when I would get zero money for drugs if I only have Medicare. I suppose it ideally would be good to hang on to the COBRA in case I have unforeseen medical expenses that Medicare won't cover. But the COBRA (Blue Cross) insurance would be considered secondary in that case, so maybe it's not worth keeping. Any thoughts?

will my CA unemployment be cut if I start social security - I cant afford rent and medical insurance on one? I can not afford my Cobra health care and basic necessities on either one alone. I have multiple pre exsisting health issues.

Should I take COBRA or get individual health insurance? I am 60 yrs old and have high blood pressure. My spouse is 62 and smokes. Under COBRA, we would pay $836 a month for medical and dental. That coverage started in February but I have until May to decide if I want COBRA or not. At this point, if I choose COBRA, I have to pay for the months of February and March which have already passed. It’s a federal law which makes no sense. But anyway, that’s $1672 out the window. Am I better off using my money to get individual health insurance? My concern is that I don’t know how having high blood pressure and my spouse being a smoker will affect things. Also, I recently had some dental work done and told them they may have to file a claim through COBRA if I do get it. The billing lady told me that they have problems with billing to COBRA because it’s taking COBRA 60 to 90 days to pay a claim which will incur interest for the patient. Has anyone experienced this? I'm just so confused about all this. I'd appreciate any advice.

Can you deduct medical expenses on a NJ tax return? I always had to pay out of pocket for my medical bills (doctor's visits, etc.) because I am unemployed and my COBRA health insurance only covers a certain percentage. Can I deduct any of what I paid for these medical expenses on my tax return?

I need Health Insurance!!!? The problem is the my COBRA Health insurance is going to run out within 5 month. It cost me $380 per month, for me only. As of October 2006, my COBRA health insurance no longer covered my medicine, which cost me over $300 per month out of my pocket. I am 35 years old with no medical problem. The current company I am working for the past 10 months refusedto hire me in as an employee, so I am still a temp. What health insurance do you recommend for basic coverage? And how long does the process takes? (1 month, 2 months, 3 months, etc...)

My husband lost his job and we have been out of medical insurance for 8 months now. My son is sick and in the E.R. right now with health complications and we are running lots of medical bills. Do you know if it is possible, since it has been under a year without insurance, if we can file for Cobra coverage and pay all of the past months of insurance dues to cover these expenses?

Pre-existing pregnancy and swithcing health insurance carrieres? My wife is pregnant, and I've recently changed jobs. I have family medical coverage with Aetna which lapses as of 1/1/089, as of that point I can enroll in Cobra which is outrageously expensive. Do I have to use Cobra insurance or can I choose my own provider?

Health Insurance problem!!!Please Help!!!? Hello my brother is in hospital, he is in coma. His insurance is going to stop covering him in about 1 week. Right now I am not sure who is going to pay for his medical care. We are Internationals. He is university student. Very smart. He needs 2 more surgeries needed to be done. Please help me, I have heard about Cobra insurance, also Assurant Health. Is there any way my brother can get coverage? What should Iook for or if someone knows how to deal with this kind of situation please help me. God Bless you. Thank you very much.

medical insurance after divorce? I divorced 2 yr ago. I'm still coverd by my ex husband's medical insurance. My doctor has just found that I have some abdominal problem. I have to take an ultrasound and biopsy after Thanks giving. This is the earliest appointment that doctors can provide. My ex will re-marry next weekend and he is going to remove me from his health insurance. I can not afford COBRA. One of my frineds was in the same situation and she went to ER 1 month after her ex's remarry. She got about $7000 bill for ER. The company where I work does not provide any health insurance. It's not easy to get a full time job. I still have a small kid who I can not leave him alone at home. Should I wait to take any examine until I join other insurance ? What should I do ?

Explain Pre-Existing conditions in relation to health insurance in Ohio??? Hi All, I hold medical insurance through United Health Care at my company currently. I am seeing a doctor for some minor symptoms, but these symptoms could also possibly relate to something more serious. Probably nothing. But, I am also interviewing at another company. I see a doctor next week and if something serious does come out, how would that work if I did take a new job and insurance at the same time. Insurance would start Aug 1 at the new place. Would I be better to pay Cobra? What if I don't find out results until after the new insurance starts. I assume that is "pre-existing". Let's say the worst happens and I do have something more serious and took the new job and insurance. What would be the next move there? I know laws differ by state. I am in Ohio. I also know to not go without insurance and have no gaps. Which, in this case I wouldn't since July's coverage would end with my current employer and Aug would start the new insurance.

I had individual health insurance. Can my group coverage health insurance deny pre-ex conditions? Will I be excluded from pre-existing conditions even if I had continuously previous coverage on my own instead through employer? Can I be denied coverage for visits, medical procedures/diagnostics related to pre-existing conditions? I have COBRA group health insurance through my previous employer. I did not have employment for too long (2 months). I have also individual health insurance that I had since 2006 and the condition was detected more than year ago (hypertension). Because I always had coverage should not I be eligible for pre-existing exclusion waiver? I hate insurance companies. I still have individual health insurance

Severe sore throat pain, blood red patces on back of throat and tonsils, and no health insurance!? :(? Help! I woke up this morning with an extremely sore throat and it became quite painful almost like an ache! I looked in the back of my throat and I noticed very red spots and it hurts to swallow, yawn, draw a deep breath to sneeze, most painful sore throat I've had! I am nauseeous but I have no fever! I do have a chronic sinus problem where my sinusus drain down my throat continuously I've had for years but have never had this experience from it! Also feels like my throat could be swollen and I am told I have been snoring A LOT the last couple weeks! I have no medical insurance as my COBRA has run out and am stressed out but I will have it checked tomorrow but I would like to know what could this be???? So scared and I have been very tired too lately! Any help and suggestions how to feel better greatly appreciated! Thank you very much!

How much can I expect to pay for cobra insurance? I was recently offered a job that pays much more than my current job. The downfall is the employer is small and does not currently offer an employee insurance plans. I'm 30 years old and I've never had any major health issues. I know I can keep the insurance from my former job thru cobra law. But what will i expect to pay. Currently as an employee I pay 26.35 per each pay period (2 week pay periods) for medical insurance and 9.53 a pay period for dental. In summary i pay roughly 71 dollars a month to cover myself only (no dependents). the company i work for has 7000 employees worldwide. probably 2-3000 u.s. employees. How much can I expect to pay for cobra?

Where to get health insurance with a TEMPORARY "preexisting" condition...? I am angry. I am beyond frustrated. HELP!! In Oct 08' I had a job(medical practice), health insurance, and expecting my first child. In Nov 08' everything came crashing down. My boss(a medical doctor) killed himself, causing the medical practice to close(obviously). This resulting in myself, 7months pregnant, unemployed and uninsured. COBRA was not an option because the entire employer no longer existed.Being 7months pregnant is "pre-existing" and no ins. company would touch me. Besides the devastation and stress of losing my boss/friend/doctor...I also gained unexplainable stress as an uninsured, VERY PREGNANT, case. By the grace of God, I finally got insurance towards the end of december08' by AIM which is a program for pregnant woman needing insurance. 2 weeks later I fell and dislocated my knee. No rehab for knee was possible till baby was delivered, so I lay immobilized, pregnant, and in a wheelchair the rest of my pregnancy. Could this nightmare get any worse....yes! Again, by the grace of God, I gave birth to a healthy, beautiful babygirl in Feb09. Finally I could start the necessary rehab for my knee so I could start walking again...except for one PROBLEM. The AIM insurance ends once the mother gives birth. And GUESS what these greedy insurance companies are re-labeling me....PRE-EXISTING(now due to knee). None of this I would wish on my worse enemies...which happen to be fat-cats of insurance companies. How dare they all deny me care because of something I could not help! Worse of all is, Im not trying for effin handouts...Im willing to pay ridiculous monthly ins premiums, and still Im getting denied...So what now. How can I give the best care to my child, when I barely can walk on the injured leg....They don't care...who does? And icing on the cake....Im working part-time in hopes that full-time will be offered so I can get insurance again..and a patient who can barely speak 3 words of english comes in to my med office today with better insurance than my father who served this country! Now someone tell me whats wrong with that picture......... http://tolong.in/health-insurance.html

How can I afford COBRA insurance on disability wages? I recently lost my job due to complications of a disability. Now I'm stuck and I don't understand how any of this is supposed to work... tell me if this seems wrong to you. 1. COBRA insurance will cost me $334.21 per month. I cannot afford this. 2. If I try to get private health insurance, I am denied due to a preexisting medical condition. 3. I cannot get insurance through an employer because I cannot work due to a disability. 4. I cannot visit my doctor to extend my disability because I do not have insurance. What... the F.... am I supposed to do?

Can my employer cancel my health insurance without informing me about COBRA first? I quit my job at the end of January (around the 27th), on good terms. It is now March 19, I just discovered that my insurance was cancelled on 3/1. I had always planned on continuing coverage through COBRA, but I never received any information on it. I called my former employer, Pearson VUE, who told me that they notify employees about COBRA through some 3rd party called "Benefit Concepts". They told me that COBRA information was sent to me yesterday. My question is very simple (I live in CA)...I would like to know if it is legal and/or common practice for an employer to terminate my insurance before I can sign up for COBRA? Shouldn't I have been notified? I understand that once I do sign on, coverage will be retroactive to 3/1, but if I need medical treatment tomorrow, why should I have to pay out of my own pocket and then get reimbursed? At the very least this is morally wrong, but I would like to know if Pearson has broken the law.

If I'm on short term disability from my company can they deny my regular insurance? My normal health care requires me to be a full time employee working 40 hours a week. I had a seizure on the job, and can no longer drive a forklift. I have tried to return doing other duties, but they have said they have nothing for me. They placed me on short term disability, and are sending me a cobra package while cancelling my regular health insurance because I'm currently working 40 hours a week. I have worked there 17 years. While on Short Term disability should my regular medical insurance be covered? If it is, where can I find something to prove this to my company in black and white? I'm an Illiniois state resident.

URGENT HELP!!! Medical Insurance ...? URGENT HELP!!! Medical Insurance ...? Hi, my husband got the "lay off" letter from his company and now we dont have Medical Insurance. I am 6 weeks PREGNANT and cant afford to be left without insurance and we cant pay for COBRA since it represents over 800.00 monthly. How can I get medical attention? We live in Florida (Miami) and dont have a clue about getting health insurance with pregnancy or service without insurance ... any suggenstions? 10 minutes ago - 4 days left to answer

can a health insurance turn you down for coverage if you have had continue medical coverage? ? My daughter and her husband recently moved back to California where her husband accepted a good paying job but it does not have medical coverage, therefore they have to purchase one. Her husband previous job had medical coverage and they were cover until they moved to California. Kaiser deny coverage saying that due to preexistence condition they cannot get coverage through them. Isn't there a law that prevent this or am I mistaken? If you know the answer, please let me know how you got your answer. Right now they are applying for cobra coverage until they find an insurance that will cover them. thank you to anyone whose is able to answer this question.

Would my pre-existing condition prevent from getting health insurance at another job after a break? I have health insurance with my employer right now. I also have a pre-existing condition (had a bypass surgery a while ago). I was thinking of doing some freelancing for about a year, then going back to a full time job. During this year I would use Cobra coverage. After this year, when I decide to go back to full employment, would I be able to obtain medical insurance with the new company (assuming they provide health insurance to their employees)? Or would my pre-existing condition pretty much keep from ever going any freelancing? I understand that there is some type of law that says that as long as you have a lapse in coverage no longer than 63 days, the new group policy cannot exclude coverage for preexisting conditions. But does this also apply to Cobra coverage? Is what I want to do feasible? Thanks.

What kind of attorney do I need to hire for health insurance problems? I have been paying for Cobra for myself, my wife and baby girl. It isn't cheap. I have been having extreme difficulty filling prescriptions and it is medication I can't stop taking. We are in good standing with our payments. However, when I try and fill my prescriptions, my pharmacy tells me my insurance is terminated. I have gone back and forth with the Cobra company and Blue Cross and nothing is getting resolved after a month. I am at the point where something needs to be done, and I want to hire an attorney. What kind? Contract? Medical Malpractice? Anyone have any insight? Please help since we are paying out of pocket costs when we should be fully insured.

Who has the best health insurance? I just lost my job so I lost my health insurance which was pretty darn good. I tried Cobra, but it's too much money. I'm gonna try MediCal. What do you guys think?

Worried about sister and health insurance? Please give me advice!! My sister has twin baby boys, less then a year old. She also has preexisting medical conditions of her own. She was working and I was helping her out by baby sitting. I should add that when she was 7 weeks pregnant her well paying job was eliminated due to budget, so she ended up taking a job for about 1/2 what she was making. That's why I was babysitting for her, since it's to costly to put 2 babies in daycare. Now, I'm having my own baby and I have been put on bed rest by my doctor. I have short term disability and health insurance. However, since I couldn't babysit anymore, my sister had to quit her job. She also has to kind of take care of me. She'd been there less then a year, so even if she'd gotten herself fired, she wouldn't qualify for unemployment and she didn't qualify for FMLA. So she has NO medical insurance now, which worries me. I've told her that I'll share my disability with her, but that won't go far. She got paperwork from Cobra that said her premium through them would be $800+ a month. Who are they kidding! Who can pay that kind of money?!? I don't know what she can do. Thankfully, her babies are healthy. But she has no income coming in right now. I'm not due until Jan. and i don't want her to go without insurance that long. Any ideas??

I was fired from my 9 year old job, now I don't have any kind of insurance, Do I qualify for medicare insuranc? I'm a 54 year old US citizen and when I lost my job my group medical insurance stopped, for some reason, I was disqualified for COBRA with the government subsidy program. Now I am totally left out.... no medical, health, dental and vision insurances at all. Can I apply for medical insurance, how much will it cost me monthly, how and where will I apply?

Can someone answer my health insurance question? I currently am paying for COBRA. I am 61 years old, female. I am on long term disability & disability social security. I am able to get medicare when I am 62. I have a pre existing condition, COPD. Looks like no one will accept me, except Blue Cross. I need a medical supplement PLUS an exceptional prescription plan. I am on many meds, including oxygen 24/7. I make too much money to qualify for medicaid or any other help. ANY of you insurance agents have any ideas? I will be 62 on April 5th. Any help is much appreciated. I have searched & looked on the internet & most of them I do not trust. I have heard too many bad stories about them. I am paying $490.00 a month plus co pays now & it is killing me. RED VELVET: What is GHI ? I never heard of it.

I'm 36 & living with my 40 year old bf. We have been together for 5 years & living together for 3 1/2 years.? I lost my job last May due to a medical condition. My cobra health insurance runs out in a few months & I do not qualify for medicaid or private insurance ( I've applied for both several times but was declined). My bf tried to get me on his health insurance through his work but we have to be married before I can be added. I'm a little sad that my boyfriend wouldn't just marry me so I could get on his insurance. We are already committed & have been living a husband & wife. I don't understand why he would just let me go w/o insurance & medical care when he could easily fix the problem. I have a serious medical condition & I'm awaiting a major surery in the next month or two. I don't know what I am going to do when I lose my health insurance:( Of course I wouldn't be marrying him just for insurance but I already know I want to spend my life with him. Sometimes it feels like he doesn't care that I could go w/o heath care. The doctors & hospitals won't do this major surgery if I don't have health insurance. Any thoughts?

I need to find cheap health insurance for a couple months while switching jobs, please help!? I do'nt want to go with COBRA because it is too expensive. I only need major medical coverage that isn't too expensive but that is actually good. I only need it for two months. Please help.

Will health insurance find out about my other coverage? I am currently 8 months pregnant. My husband was laid off of his job a few months ago and luckily as part of his severance package for being with the company for over 14 years we were given 6 months of beneifts for free. I love my OB and hospital as it is a brand new birthing center just down the street from our home. My husband was just told he has a 99% chance of getting a new job with another company who's beniefts would kick in right away but would be a different and run down hospital with of course a new OB for me. :( Obviously I don't want to switch so close to my due date. We plan on keeping the new medical coverage a secret from our current provider and his old employer because we read in the paperwork that the coverage is only good if you have NO OTHER medical coverage. Once he accepts the job we would have other coverage. My questions is for anyone that works in the medical insurance field. How would our current insurer find out about the new coverage if we dont tell them? Is there a "insurance data base" they may check. A cobra data base ( I think is is somehow related but not sure)? What are the chances they would find out? I assume if they DID find out after the baby was born, we would be back billed for the birth by the insurance company? We dont want that to happen either as the birth will be between $8-10,000 for a normal delivery and $20,000 + if for some reason I need a cesarean. Any help or ideas would be appreciated. My other idea is to be honest with them and try and see if we can pay for the insurance out of pocket ourselves for the last 2 months so I could keep the coverage until the baby is born. However I don't even know if the insurance company would let us do that either. Especially knowing we are having a baby.

Can your company require a Biometric health screening in order to continue insurance coverage? My Spouse has worked for the same company for the past 15 years. The company seems to be forcing the issue of a biometric health screening. Under the heading of "Is this mandatory?" it says.."For salaried employees, in order to participate in the 2010 Medical Plans you are required to go through the on-site biometric screen process, and the online Health Risk Assessment. If a salaried employee chooses not to participate in either the Biometric Screen, or the online Health Risk Assessment, they will not be eligible for 2010 Medical Insurance, and you will receive COBRA notification to your home if you were previously participating in the medical plans" Is this crap legal? Can a company terminate your insurance for not completing this so called health assessment?

Can i loose health insurance?? for a workman's comp claim? I had a back injury in 2005 , was operated on and recovered ok. worked a almost 2 years and re injured same area in my back. Now i have the insurance company from the first injury fighting with the current insurance company about which one is responsible for time loss and medical bills. I talked with my employer about what was going on and they agreed with me that i should not do this position anymore but could not legally move me to another position until the legal stuff was over and i had a certain % of disability( i think 5%) they recommended I sign a "leave of absence" while all this goes on ,which i have done. this was because since the 2 companies are fighting over who is responsible, i am legally "not on workmans comp and have to work" so the leave of absence was basically to keep my job. Unfortunately this resulted in my being dropped from my insurance through my employer and having to COBRA my insurance. (1000 $ a month) .....yes i have a lawyer (he says he doesnt know about the leave of absence / health insurance issue ), he does workmans comp only...any ideas????

Should I have lost my health insurance? because of a work related injury? I had a back injury in 2005 , was operated on and recovered ok. worked a almost 2 years and re injured same area in my back. Now i have the insurance company from the first injury fighting with the current insurance company about which one is responsible for time loss and medical bills. I talked with my employer about what was going on and they agreed with me that i should not do this position anymore but could not legally move me to another position until the legal stuff was over and i had a certain % of disability( i think 5%) they recommended I sign a "leave of absence" while all this goes on ,which i have done. this was because since the 2 companies are fighting over who is responsible, i am legally "not on workmans comp and have to work" so the leave of absence was basically to keep my job. Unfortunately this resulted in my being dropped from my insurance through my employer and having to COBRA my insurance. (1000 $ a month) .....yes i have a lawyer (he says he doesnt know about the leave of absence / health insurance issue ), he does workmans comp only...any ideas????

Today is my last day at my job and I need to find health insurance.? I don't want to go with COBRA because it is too expensive. I only need major medical coverage but I don't want it to be from some rag tag company that will never pay out. Does anyone know about any options that aren't too expensive? I only need a couple months worth of coverage.

What is the best medical insurance for already pregnant woman? I have to purchase my own health insurance because I left my job recently only to discover that my "small group" aka my employer doesn't cover COBRA, when you leave voluntarily. At the time we had a makeshift HR dept. so I can't really blame them for not knowing...anyway , now I have to seek out my own insurance and I want to know what is the best plan out there since I am coming out of pocket. I can't have OB care until I get this. Please don't judge me I was a working executive assistant for a small company and decided to leave to pursue my dreams and get out of the rut of a comfortable job without a future! Help, thank you!

Health insurance denial for treatment and "self-funded" plan rules? My doctor tried to get preauthorization for treating a medical condition of mine more than nine months ago. My insurance stubbornly denied it time after time after time. Between these “time after time” periods, the requests were lost in the mail (if you believe that), papers were ‘misplaced’ by them, and there were delays because of practically every little thing. Eventually, my case went to an external review board that ruled in my favor, over-turning the plans denial; the insurance has to pay for my treatment now. This ruling in my favor came just last week, the same week that my coverage with this health plan ended as a result of my COBRA continuation coverage expiring. I believe my insurance should still have to pay for the treatment, because I would have had the treatments months ago, when I was covered, if it weren’t for the insurances negligence and incompetence. I am getting mixed answers, however, as to whether my insurance is in fact responsible for paying for treatment since I am no longer a member. I have called up several regulatory agencies, all unable to assist me because of the nature of my health plan. My health plan is something called a “self-funded” plan. A self-funded plan means that an employer has set up an account from which all medical claims are paid. The plan is administered through an insurance company like Aetna or Healthnet however. The caveat is that by them doing this, the plan is not legally an insurance plan and therefore is not bound by many state and federal regulations that govern insurance policies. In fact, many large employers set up these so-called self-funded plans, which look and act (almost) just like regular policies. Subscribers often don’t find out of this insurance loophole until it is too late. My question is does anyone know anything about ERISA, the (Employment Retirement Income Security Act), which allows these types of plans to elude regulation? Please cite legal or other sources. Any reasonable person knows, of course, that the insurance should pay for the treatment. To deny paying for treatment because I am no longer a member is preposterous since I was fighting to get the treatments for so many months when I was a member. So, not only did I have to postpone treatment, actually forcing me to suffer longer, but as a result, I may not even get the treatment! What should I do and what are my rights? I live in America by the way; where else would such corrupt politics and shoddy health care administration take place?

Qualifying Life Events for Health Insurance? I am doing some planning for later part of this year when my wife becomes unemployed (voluntary). I hope a HR specialist in benefits can help answer some questions that I have. Situation: My wife will voluntarily resign from her job (effective end of August). She is planning on going on Cobra for 1 to 2 months because she has reached her deductible max and out of pocket max. She is planning on major medical procedure in September/October timeframe, so for us, it will be cost effective to wait until the procedure is over before moving her to my insurance plan. Our Plan: Once the medical procedure is completed, we want to then get off of Cobra and add her to my insurance plan. We know she qualifies to get on Cobra and can end the Cobra coverage after a couple months. Questions: 1) What qualifies as a life event where I can then add her to my health insurance? I know end of employment qualifies (August 31st)? Does end of Cobra coverage 2 months after end of employment qualify (October 31st)? 2) If I can add her to my insurance at the end of Cobra coverage, is the effective coverage date back to September 1st when she is unemployed or can it start November 1st when the Cobra runs out? From what I understand, if the coverage effective start date is September 1st, Cobra becomes secondary to my insurance (which will be worthless to me because my insurance would be on the hook to cover the medical procedure). Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

Health Insurance Question...Can Anyone Help? Hi, I'm a 27 year old guy in good health and 2 days ago I had an accident at home. I tripped and fell down my stairs and suffered a concussion and had to receive stitches in my inner lip for a laceration that was caused by my teeth. I was knocked unconscious, and had to be transported to the hospital in an ambulance, where I then received a number of X-rays. I Left the company I worked for a over 2 months ago, so COBRA doesn't apply, and the Health insurance I had through my old company was terminated in December. Are there any avenues I can take to take care of this through some sort of insurance or am I just out of luck? If I'm out of luck, is there some way I can have the medical bills reduced since I am without Health Insurance? I have always had health insurance and this is the first time I have been without it in my life, so I really don't know what is best to do. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thank You in advance

Employer promises to keep health insurance going for one month after he lays me off and then drops it anyway? My employer that I was with up until 2 months ago when he laid me off stated that they would keep my health insurance active until the end of March. The day they let me go just happened to be the day after I told them I had to have a heart procedure done and I would be out for a couple of days. My dilemma is that I did not pay Cobra on account that they said they would keep my insurance going for one more month. Needless to say medical is not cheap and this procedure came in at over $60,000 dollars. Now I have multiple people breathing down my neck. Is there any recourse here or am I just out $60,000 dollars? Thank you all for your comments. Sadly enough I did not have this in writing. As part of my termination package they paid me one month’s wages. In regards to it being a miss understanding on my part is untrue. The owners and the receptionist all said the same thing that they would cover my insurance for at least one month. This was in order to allow my new insurance a month to kick in. If they had not stated this I would have paid my Cobra and would not be in this predicament. I also would have waited to have the procedure done after my new insurance started.

What should I know when I leave my job for a new one? I live in CT and I am leaving my job for a better offer. Is there anything I should know about my 401k plan, medical benefits, etc. Do I lose all my sick/vacation/floating time or do I have a right to use this time by law / or get a payout? Will I have to use COBRA health insurance for a bit because I'm not sure if I have to wait a certain period before I am offered Medical Insurance through my new job? What will the rates be for COBRA? The employer I am leaving is a big corporation.

Can I be denied group coverage for pre-existing conditions? or conditions related to pre-existing one in health insurance? For anything including medical visits? I have COBRA group health insurance through my previous employer. I did not have it for too long, I did not work there long. I have also individual health insurance that I had since 2006 and the condition was detected more than year ago (hypertension). Because I always had coverage should not I be eligible for pre-existing exclusion waiver? I hate insurance companies. I live in Illinois. I still have group coverage until Feb 28 (unless I decide to renew but I won't too expensive)

Does the following COBRA insurance strategy work? All, I have a child with a medical condition that is not covered under my current insurance plan because it comes from a self-insured, out-of-state employer. (Don't argue that fact - I've checked the law, and they don't have to pay). However, employer-based group insurance issued by an in-state employer is required to cover this condition. So, I developed the following strategy and wanted to know if it would work: 1) Wife gets job with an in-state employer that offers group health to child. This shouldn't be THAT hard to find. 2) Wife keeps job long enough to get coverage (usually several months to a year). 3) Wife quits. 4) We buy COBRA for child for 12-18 months, afterwhich we should no longer need treatment. 5) If treatment looks like it will be needed longer, repeat steps 1-4. If I read the law right, this works. In fact, it looks like I don't even have to get COBRA for the wife - just for the child. Is there a flaw in this plan (other than high COBRA premiums)?

Health Insurance Options? I got a new job and am in the 90-day period before my wife and I are eligible for my company's health insurance plan. We have the option of going with COBRA until we are eligible (July 1st) but it's RIDICULOUSLY expensive for such a short period of time. Are there any other alternatives? Even just Major Medical? Any thoughts? Thanks!

Why the delay in Cobra coverage? Now in the middle of fertility treatments with no health insurance!? My husband quit his job several weeks ago, and as of May 31, 2010 his company canceled our health insurance plan (Aetna), and now we are left with no insurance. We had hoped to avoid something like this happening, because we are in the middle of very expensive fertility treatments. We were told that we would have the option of having Cobra in order to continue with our health insurance and have our medical needs covered until his new insurance through the new job kicks in (still 2 months away). So now of course our dr's offices, pharmacy, etc. are all calling us saying we cannot process your claims because the insurance company is saying you are no longer covered. So we finally got the number for SHPS/COBRA and I have spoke to them twice. Both times they have told me that the company technically has 31 days to notify them of his no longer being employed with them, then at that point they will mail us the enrollment forms!! This seems so wrong - shouldn't it be seamless coverage?

URGENT HELP!!! Medical Insurance ...? Hi, my husband got the "lay off" letter from his company and now we dont have Medical Insurance. I am 6 weeks PREGNANT and cant afford to be left without insurance and we cant pay for COBRA since it represents over 800.00 monthly. How can I get medical attention? We live in Florida (Miami) and dont have a clue about getting health insurance with pregnancy or service without insurance ... any suggenstions?

Group insurance and preexisting conditions? I had a job with health insurance but lost it because of a work injury. The workmans comp is making it go through court to pay me so I have no income right now. My wife has a preexisting medical problem. I went onto COBRA insurance but it went over 100 percent in January and I could no longer afford to make payments on it. About March 5 I will go over the 63 day that I have to replace my insurance. I have found another job with insurance but it requires a back ground check that may take me over the 63 day time limit where they have to take preexisting conditions. What I need to know is if it is group insurance, do they cover preexisting conditions or will I end up losing coverage on her? If they do not cover preexisting conditions can I get insurance for a short time to cover that time? An insurance salesperson told me that short term insurance will probably hurt me instead of help me. That I don't understand because I have to keep insurance to keep her covered. Where do I go to get absolute rules pertaining to this? Any guidance will be greatly appreciated

My health insurance was terminated without any notice. I am still an employee, but currently have no coverage.? I live in Oregon and the Company I worked for was bought out by another company, we we're all re-hired and new benefits package was presented which included employer paid health/dental insurance. Recently I was laid off. During the meeting I inquired about continuing health/dental through COBRA, which I was informed was available and the information would be sent shortly. When the COBRA packet arrived I found out the company only had me enrolled in the dental no medical! What are my options on getting the medical insurance through COBRA now? To my knowledge my employer was still taking from my check the amount for our portion of insurance. I haven't received anything from the insurance carrier or company as to terminating insurance. I've inquired about the new insurance numerous times but our HR rep is not the most efficient with employees in getting back or even responding to questions. I have always had to contact them directly with questions. The HR rep seems to work more for the upper management, there have been many complaints filed with the same neglect in HR working with employees in every department.

NC Health Insurance laws and college? I have to take a medical leave from college because of my depression--it has interfered with my progress to the point where I cannot pass. Does anyone know about health insurance laws in North Carolina? I am currently covered (and being treated) under my parents' insurance. If I take a medical withdrawal, will I be dropped from their insurance? We can't afford COBRA, so that's out of the picture. And if so, how does that make sense? If I had cancer and couldn't attend classes, would they drop me then, too? Any advice would be very helpful! Thanks!

Deducting Health Insurance Premiums? My employer totally dropped health insurance coverage after 1Q 2010. Since they completely terminated the plan, Cobra wasn't an option. Due to health issues, I had to signup with the state's health insurance pool which is fine, and my premium is $458/month (will be paid from 2Q 2010 through end of year 2010). By the way, under my employer's plan my health premiums were deducted pretax through a cafeteria plan. 99.9% of my income is from W-2 wages but I receive a couple of hundred dollars a year (1099 income) in insurance renewals which I report on my taxes. Is there anyway I can deduct my health insurance premiums under the self employement deduction instead of 7.5% of AGI? Or do I need more 1099 income to justify that? Chances are even with my health premiums, other medical expenses, etc, I may not get over the standard deduction amount. Insurance renewals meaning residual income from previous sales of insurance products. Am fully licensed agent and still licensed but don't write new business any longer but required to maintain licenses because of job. I didn't think it was possible, but just thought I would ask the question for feedback since I'm not the expert on taxes.

Is there Health Insurance that covers only Medical Tests & Hospitalization? I lost my Insurance back in August. Cobra is way too expensive and just wanted to know if there was a Company that covers only Medical Tests and Hospitalization.

My health insurance is cancelled in No Ca, can I qualify for Medical? I have been layed off at work and will not have health insurance unless I pay the cobra fees, which I cannot afford--

How can I get some best or reasonable rate health insurance? How can I get some best/reasonable health insurance? I need to find best health insurance for a couple months while switching jobs, please help!? I do'nt want to go with COBRA because it is too expensive. I only need major medical coverage that isn't too expensive but that is actually good. I only need it for two months. Please help.

Any low $ health insurance options for someone unemployed, w/o a disability, who can't get COBRA or Medicaid? My mother is 55 and unemployed. She does not have a disability. She has several pre-existing conditions. I don't think she is going to find a job any time soon. She has about $20k saved, but she is going through it quickly because of living costs and medical expenses. I predict she'll have nothing in 18 months to 2 years. She was recently on Adult Basic's waiting list for low-cost insurance, but the costs have been raised and she can no longer afford it. Currently she has no insurance, which is dangerous for her and my family. I haven't found many answers for what to do for her. Any thoughts? Thank you.

what is obamacares provision for you and your family? Americans are already feeling the assault of Obamacare. This sweeping “reform” package was falsely advertised as a universal solution for all of us. Instead, what we are finding out is that this “reform” is shunning many of the Americans who need medical coverage the most. military are being shunned from Obamacare. children are being dropped from insurance plans due to the rising costs of this legislation. The Desert Sun, a California newspaper, reported the plight of Deborah and her husband. Deborah is unfortunately suffering from stage-4 cervical cancer. Her husband suffered an injury on the job and lost his medical coverage. With few options, the couple was forced to purchase a COBRA health insurance plan that now costs $1,000 a month — more than doubled their previous plan.Making matters worse is that Deborah’s illness has caused two-thirds of their retirement savings to be eradicated. So now, not only is this family fighting a dangerous disease, they have also been hit with aggressive medical bills that are threatening their ability to afford basic living expenses. Where is the reform? We’ve heard about the Obamacare’s supposed improvements to insuring those with pre-existing conditions. Where are they? Well, for Deborah to take advantage of these “improvements” she would have to go without insurance for six months. No one with as serious a disease as hers should have to make that choice. How can a nation as great as America ask one of its citizens to fight such a dangerous disease for six months and incur immense out-of-pocket medical fees before allowing her to get insurance? In fact, Deborah would most likely have to stop her chemotherapy altogether. That’s not reform. That’s endangering the welfare of an American citizen. This brave woman described her situation perfectly: “What I'm dealing with is the inability to access what I need because of the current standards.” You and I both know that this noble American’s story is not the only one. And that’s why it’s important that you not only get the truth about Obamacare, but also learn how to protect yourself and your family in the years ahead. Because if you have illnesses like cancer, stroke, or diabetes in your family’s history, you need to take extra precautions in the days of rationing, long lines, and unaffordable care. Newsmax describes the dangers buried in Obamacare’s pages, but it also offers solutions. Solutions prepared by an esteemed medical panel. Included with the report is an opportunity to claim a free book that Newsmax has compiled, called Surviving Obamacare: A Step-By-Step Plan to Defend Your Health & Freedom. This book will dig even deeper into the issues surrounding Obamacare. The explanations are in plain English, not the confusing legal jargon of the legislation itself. Most importantly, it includes detailed guidance on the steps you can take with your diet, fitness, supplements, and lifestyle to help avoid the serious diseases and medical issues that could be very hard to get treatment for in the days of Obamacare. Besides cancer, stroke, and diabetes, Americans who also suffer from arthritis, poor vision, weakened hearing, and other conditions will also be negatively impacted under this “reform.” And that’s why you need to learn how to be your own and your family’s first line of defense when Obamacare truly begins to take shape. Included with the book are a host of other free gifts, including a private website and two free trial subscriptions to Newsmax’s most important health newsletters. You can stay healthy in the future. You can protect your family. And you can ensure that no matter how bad Obamacare gets for Americans, you will have taken the necessary steps to become aware and be protected. We are just beginning to see Obamacare. It doesn’t truly sink its teeth in until 2014. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Take the steps now to become prepared

Exemployer promised health insurance until 6-30-2006 but terminated insurance for 5-31-2006 what can i do now? i have cobra notifacation with documentation that i would be covered until 6-30-2006 now i have out standing medical bills that the insurance company won't cover. The exemployer just keeps ignoring me when i call to get this resolved. No, it is not a Mistake i have documents. exemployer thought i would not us the insurance in this time period so they did not pay the premium. they were very shocked when i let them know the bill was not covered then i found out it was accidently terminated and on and on. it has been one excuse after another. enough is enough it was a well baby visit covered 100% but the insurance company says the policy was terminated on 5-31-2006.My childs visit was 6-01-2006

short-term health insurance - I have over $1000 worth of medication monthly? I need health insurance to help pay for my over $1100 worth of medical expenses, mostly medications, monthly. I know vaguely what a deductible and a copay are, but not enough to make an informed decision. It's very confusing to me. What types of policies should I be looking at? What's a reasonable deductible and copay for me to look at? Basically, my health insurance just terminated and I can't get a short-term policy with my current health insurance company. The place where I just started working offers health insurance plans, but only to employees that have been with the company for more than six months. I've been looking at Golden Rule, as well as Assurant. I haven't considered COBRA, and don't know much about it, but it doesn't sound appealing to me.

Is it legal for an insurance company to not cover you if you stay with that company but change policies? I am trying to get a health insurance policy with Blue Cross/Blue Shieldof IL. I have had and HMO policy with them for about 3 years. My cobra policy with them is about to run out shortly as of March 1. I was in the process of trying to get another policy with them. I had the understanding that they would cover me completely since I had been covered with them for 3 years. Was I mistaken? Can they reject me just like anybody else. Do they not have to accept my medical pre -existing conditions. I thought they did since they had been covering them for this amount of time. I do not know anything about the law. Is there any place I could look to find out my rights in this matter. I have to know soon. I do not want to be without insurance.

I am a self employed web site designer. Do you know of an existing group health insurance plan I could join? I'm specifically looking for small business advocacy groups or home based business associations or trade associations or other associations I could join that offer group medical insurance to their members. I am already aware of COBRA (mine is running out and cannot be extended or converted to a private policy). I am also aware of my state risk pool. I have one family member who is not employed. We both are healthy but have preexisting conditions that have stigmatized us as far as individual medical insurance goes. I can't form a group for my business because I'm the only one and my state requires two full-time employees to form a group and my family member can't work in my business. As you can see I've already done quite a bit of research -- I just could use some help identifying business organizations, trade associations, and other organizations that would have a group medical insurance plan I could get into. I live in Missouri and I'm web site designer and developer although I'm also a freelance professional writer.

How do I find a way to get medical insurance? I am 27 and I moved back in my parents home. (I know its sad but that is the only way I can survive) Anyway I have a chronic nerve disease so I am in a lot of pain. I work part time but I am not able to work full time. My dad pays over $300 dollars for me for cobra and I hate that he puts that much money on me. I pay him $150 back each month but that is all I can afford. Is there anyway or any place that I can find a way to get health insurance even though I have a preexisting condition? I looked into Medicaid at one point but they wouldn't give it to me because my Dad makes too much money. Even though I am 27 they still look at my parents income because I have to live at home. That really doesn't seem right to me because I pay for everything, including rent, and food. Do you know of any other ways to get health insurance? I have to have insurance some how because I have a epidural block every 3 months to control the pain, and I am on medicine for messed up nerves in my foot. Scott my dad does not make plenty. He struggles to get through each month just like pretty much any american. Part of the reason is because of me and my insurance. You do not know me or my family so please do not pass judgement on me or my parents. I have not once taken advantage of tax payers because I am tax payer. Thank You to everyone who answered the question, I will check out eveything.

Cheap Health Insurance? Advise? Laid - off, and our group(family) Health Insurance will expire in a month. There is an option to elct COBRA but I don't know how it works. I applied for MEDICAL(County) for the four of us(two children) but we received a notice of denial because we have more than $3K in savings. I know that it will just get drained in a snap as we have $1.7K in credit balance and will pay rent, car payment, bills etc. As of now no money is getting in, and double time applying for a job So, what are cheaper health insurances? or what other options I have? If I will avail for COBRA how much discount or what will I pay for example our group cost $800?? Thanks.

Health insurance for a child of divorce? My divorce degree states that I must provide health insurance for my daughter. My daughter also has health insurance through her fathers employer (he doesn't have to pay anything to have her on his plan). The company I work for has filed bankruptcy and I am out of a job in just a few weeks. Do I need to sign up for COBRA? It is very expensive and without a job, I will not be able to afford the premiums. I am just afraid that my ex can take me to court or to do something to me since if I don't sign-up for COBRA I am not following the divorce degree......although my daughter will not be without medical coverage since she is on my ex's policy. I appreciate any advise I can get...thank you!! Yes, my daughter currently has two health insurance coverages (her father's coverage is considered secondary insurance). Legally I am the one responsible to provide health insurance coverage for her...I pay 100% of the premiums and we split all other costs 50/50. I really won't be able to afford health insurance for her until I get a new job and the job market is tough right now.

Did anyone see that piece that WGBH did on Health Insurance around the world? Did you know that Japan, and Germany has a better health insurance system than the United States? Why can't we develop a system that is just efficient? Obama's is the closes to a universal plan, but it doesn't set the prices for healthcare, which needs to be done e.g., doctors in Germany can only profit up to 80,000 dollars a year and cost is monitored via government. Japan's government monitors their peoples healthcare system, while keeping cost at a low premium e.g., they use an ID card which a patient would carry that hold all his medical history on it. This cuts administration cost dramatically. If you loose your job in Germany, you don't have to pay anything for health cost, and your health plan stays the same. When compared to our COBRA plan, it seems too good to be true, while it is! Obama if he is going to be a true answer to America's revolution, should study these systems and come up with something to save healthcare, because it is becoming a PIG-OF-COST on American families who just cannot see a way out, while trying to stay above the line of health. Obama, you will be the next president, but what will you do to make a difference? what will your legacy be as the first Afican-American President? Make the reforming of the bust-up healthcare system your task!

Denied for health insurance! What do we do?!? My husband lost his job recently, and therefore we also lost our health insurance. He now has a new job, however his new employer does not offer health insurance, so we are forced to find our own. We applied for an individual/family plan, but received notification that because of my husband's medical history (hyperthyroidism and depression) we were denied. The reason for my husband's denial:medical, the reason for my denial: family member was denied, the reason for our 3 yr old son's denial: parent was denied. I am pretty much betting that based on this, my husband is going to have a hell of a time finding any plan that will cover him. As far as myself and my son, I have reapplied to the same plan for just the two of us. I am hoping that at least we will be accepted, but what do you think our chances are, considering we were just denied (although apparently for no other reason than my husband was denied). When we first applied, we still had health insurance from my husband's previous employer... now we have been without coverage for the last 4 days. Can anyone tell me what options we have? We live in Virginia, by the way. We had an option for Cobra, but it was WAY too expensive for us.

Health Insurance Issues? I am a 23 year-old graduate student. Currently, I am under my mother's health insurance plan. I can only be on it for as long as I am a full time student or until I turn 25. Unfortunately, I need to take a medical leave of absence from school in order to get treatment for an eating disorder but by leaving school I will therefore lose my health insurance and would not be able to get treatment. I have not been able to find a solution to this problem in spite of the numerous people I have talked to. If I were healthy enough to get a full time job that offers health insurance then I wouldn't need to leave school in the first place. Medicaid is not an option and neither is Cobra. Aren't there any options out there to help me?

Can a hospital refuse a patient without health insurance? One of my best friends lost her health insurance a couple of months ago. She was laid off work and had the Cobra option, but it was over $600 a month and could not afford it. She is due the end of May. She went to one of the local hospitals here and was told that she had to come up with $2500.00 in advance or they could not assist her? I have always had health insurance through my husbands employer, so I have never had to deal with this. I had always assumed that a hospital could not refuse you. What if she were to go into labor and go to the hospital, could they actually refuse her? I thought there was some sort of law against refusing medical services or am I incorrect. Any help would be great, especially women who have delivered without insurance. A lot of people are saying Medicaid. But the problem is that her and her husband are going through a divorce and she does not qualify due to his income and he will not assist with medical bills at all. Unfortunatly they consider his income for state assistance and she cannot make him pay. It is such a horrible situation, I am so happy I have never had to deal with that, I would not know what to do.

Why is health care so hard to get when you have preexsisting conditions??? My husband was laid of due to a plant closure and we are now on COBRA. Well we have been shopping for health insurance and found that we cannot get it due to our preexsisting medical cond. We would have to go through a group rate through the state. Q: Are there any group insurances we can get that wont cost us an arm a leg and our first born in California??

Hey, I do not qualify to medical due to income of both my husband and I, we cannot cover Cobra for is to $$$$? Tried to get health Insurance for my self and all I got, We cannot cover you for you have a preexisting condition. And what does it mean? if the insurance does not want to cover me due to they had to shell the cost immediately of $15,000 +++ for an individual cover what gives.... Who made this rules... only in America

Why is the goverment throwing 21 Billion dollars at a Cobra subsidy? The Federal Government is throwing $21 billion to subsidize the cost of continuing health care insurance for the involuntarily unemployed under the COBRA program for 9 months. Don't you think we'd be better off using that money toward finding ways to decrease the cost of care by nipping costs at the source? It's only a temp fix, what about after the 9 months is up? Cobra inflates back up to 100% even up to 103% of original premium rates (I know this because I work in insurance)? http://www.ocregister.com/articles/cobra-insurance-job-2313922-health-lost After 18 months of Cobra people are forced to pay costs for guarantee issue conversion policies (or portability) which cost nearly the same unless they are able to qualify through medical underwriting. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArFSvkBvHyWoUi96et0TI2bsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090324060144AAbq2v6 Basically, throwing away money for a 9 month fix seems redundant and wasteful. Pat--after 9 months people WILL lose it anyways. What's the difference? In a way it's encouraging people to USE USE USE their healthcare while they have it....what do you think that's going to do to the cost of care? It works just like supply and demand. Similar concept. I'm sorry Pat, I can see your point, I just cannot agree with it. It's a redundant waste as far as I'm concerned. People will drop it after 9 months and then the cost of care will rise even more. It's like spreading the fire. Connor--exactly, Consumer driven healthcare is what the future of this country needs to look at. HDHP with HSA's. That way it's used and not abused. Supply/Demand, costs will deflate.

Health Insurance problem!!!Please Help!!!? Hello my brother is in hospital, he is in coma. His insurance is going to stop covering him in about 1 week. Right now I am not sure who is going to pay for his medical care. We are Internationals. He is university student. Very smart. He needs 2 more surgeries needed to be done. Please help me, I have heard about Cobra insurance, also Assurant Health. Is there any way my brother can get coverage? What should Iook for or if someone knows how to deal with this kind of situation please help me. God Bless you. Thank you very much.

Is it legal for an insurance company to not cover you if you stay with that company but change policies? I am trying to get a health insurance policy with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of IL. I have had and HMO policy with them for about 3 years. My cobra policy with them is about to run out shortly as of March 1. I was in the process of trying to get another policy with them. I had the understanding that they would cover me completely since I had been covered with them for 3 years. Was I mistaken? Can they reject me just like anybody else? Do they not have to accept my medical pre -existing conditions? I thought they did since they had been covering them for this amount of time. I do not know anything about the law. Is there any place I could look to find out my rights in this matter? I have to know soon. I do not want to be without insurance.

How does Cobra health insurance work? On Friday, my mom got laid off. She worked for Radioshack for 29 years and they handed her a final paycheck, and told her she needed to be out of her office by 6 o clock. They also told her that her health insurance was cut off as of midnight that night. On the paycheck they gave her, she had all of her normal deductions taken out, for medical, dental, etc. She covers herself, my little sister who is 16, and my dad. My dad is self employed, so their insurance is totally through my mom. Her severance package is for 16 weeks. But, now they don't have insurance, and we haven't received anything about Cobra yet. Can they cut her benefits off at midnight? Don't they at least have to cover my family until they are offered Cobra coverage? I've heard that Cobra is expensive, how much is it going to be to cover my mom, dad, and little sister? Also, I heard from somebody that with the new Obama administration, they have passed, or are trying to pass, that the employer has to pay for 50% of Cobra, is that true? What are my parents options? We're in Idaho if that helps Thanks! I appreciate all the answers and 10 points for the most informative one!

Finding Health Insurance to Cover Pre-existing Medical Conditions? Upon graduating college, coverage for my health insurance under my fathers group insurance ended March 31,2009. To my dismay I dislocated my knee cap about a month and a half later on May 11,2009 (I didn‘t have health insurance when this happened!). I just purchased an individual health insurance that coverage started in the beginning of June 2009 (they will not cover any pre-existing conditions). But, when I dislocated my knee I didn’t have any health insurance. I’m not familiar with Florida health laws concerning this, but I read somewhere online that if there is a short time gap (2 months I read) that you didn’t have health insurance, that there is a way to be covered for a pre-existing condition. My question is, what can I do to be covered for this injury(already costing me over $5,000)? For example: Cobra, takeover coverage etc… Any advice would be much appreciated.

Without Health insurance...and got hurt! I need some info? Hi, I'm a 27 year old guy in good health and 2 days ago I had an accident at home. I tripped and fell down my stairs and suffered a concussion and had to receive stitches in my inner lip for a laceration that was caused by my teeth. I was knocked unconscious, and had to be transported to the hospital in an ambulance, where I then received a number of X-rays. I Left the company I worked for a over 2 months ago, so COBRA doesn't apply, and the Health insurance I had through my old company was terminated in December. Are there any avenues I can take to take care of this through some sort of insurance or am I just out of luck? If I'm out of luck, is there some way I can have the medical bills reduced since I am without Health Insurance? I have always had health insurance and this is the first time I have been without it in my life, so I really don't know what is best to do. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thank You in advance.

Can't afford medical bill although I have insurance? I live in New York City. I have Oxford through my job. In June I passed out in the subway (too many people and too hot) and was sent to the ER. Because the ER I was sent to is not affiliated with my plan, my insurance will not pay for the bill. The hospital will not offer me any discount becuase I have health insurance. My health insurance can help out a little, but I have a 1000$ deductable. So I am stuck paying for the deductable. There were no services rendered in the ER. I waited for 3-5 hours and it was just so packed that I went to my regular doctor. I am being billed just for walking in. I am thinking of canceling my health insurance because I now have a 5000$ deductable should this happen again. If I did not have insuance i was told by the ER that I would have to pay 500$ out of pocket... I think even if I did get sick, I could not afford cobra, so I might as well jsut do without and go to clinics and pay out of pocket. I now pay $500 a month for my insurance... what would you do? would you do without? I make 40k after taxes and all of this I take home about 26k... my rent is $927 for a studio... You really can't get rent much lower then this here... thank you! please note, no services were rendered in the ER. I had no choice to go being I passed out in the subway, or I would not have gone... The dedcuable is not going up becuase of this, it is going up just because of an anual thing and the times.

Conservative Healthcare Reform Bill are you for reform or against it? I would make all healthcare expenditures tax deductible for taxpayers but I would at the same time make it taxable for unions and employers. This would force employers and unions out of the health care business as a result if you lost your job or switched jobs you would not lose your insurance. NO more expensive Cobra Insurance. I will force states out of the healthcare regulation business, they would not be able to mandate what is covered or what is not covered, that is an individuals choice. High Risk individuals would be pooled each insurance company would be forced to accept a percentage of high risk individuals at say double and triple the normal rate. If the high risk individual can't afford the double or triple insurance rate and they would qualify for government assistance. Insurance rate formulation law - Age, Sex, Options you choice, and current health when you apply for the insurance. Insurance companies can increase your rate from year to year but they can’t reassess you health. If you switch health insurance companies then you will need to get reassessed. If your insurer goes out of business and is not purchased by another company then you can switch insurance companies without being reassessed. The uninsured citizens - After given the options above if they continue to want to self insure let them. Then when they use healthcare and if they can’t afford to pay then you would assign them to an insurance plan the one they would have had say 10 years earlier when they first self insured and back charge them for that amount give them a monthly pay plan and cover them from then out. In other words there will be a penalty if you self insure but don’t have the money to pay your own healthcare bills. Illegal immigration healthcare - Keep the system we current have in place until the wall is built. Pass a bill to build the wall and decide what we are going to do with those here now, send them back or give them a path to citizenship. I say send them to build the wall at minimum wage plus housing once the wall is built then give them a green card. Once they get a job, and learn english (reading and writing) and can answer a test on the constitution and bill or rights then they can become a citizen. Then treat them the same as everyone else. Tort Reform - Loser pays. And limits on liability. Plus if a doctor loses too many law suits then his medical license would be removed. Purchase of insurance across state lines will be legal. Purchase across state lines means each state can't set up different rules for nation insurance companies. As you may know you buy insurance from nationwide companies but your care is provided by local medical groups and doctors . So basically the statement open up competition to any plan design a consumer wants to consider regardless of the state headquarters. Hope that helps you Purchase across state lines means each state can't set up different rules for nation insurance companies. As you may know you buy insurance from nationwide companies but your care is provided by local medical groups and doctors . So basically the statement open up competition to any plan design a consumer wants to consider regardless of the state headquarters. Hope that helps you

do i have to liquify my assets in oregon before being eligible for the oregon health plan? i ask because I'm 59, and i recently retired early, and my retirement benefits (including medical insurance) is taking too long to kick in. i have $100,000 in an IRA, and I'm living off the interest at the moment ... only a little over $400 a month, which is all going to the cobra ... so I'm basically living off my kids, and i need to see my doctor. . . thank you

Need medical and drug insurance.? Who would you guys recommend for health and perscription insurance in the US, had a great package with my employee however they shut the plant down.... could get Cobra but it seems expensive....

Health insurance premium deductions? Ok so I had to go on a COBRA plan at the end of 2007 when my daughter was born because I had to take an extended medical leave since she was premature and had many health complications. However, I also applied for Medical assistance from the state and they are still trying to decide if they are going to reimburse me for the premiums I already paid... SO, my question is, if I claim my premiums on my taxes for a deduction, and then medical assistance comes through and reimburses me for those premiums, will I have to pay the money back to either the IRS or the State that granted me medical assistance?!?

My COBRA ends soon. Need to find individual health ins plan with a 0 deductible and 0% "co-ins"...? - Seems like all health ins for individuals have huge "deductibles" meaning i have to pay $2k-$4K of medical costs before the insurance kicks in. I want a $0 deductible like my current ins (which is thru old employer thru COBRA.) - Seems like they all also have a huge "co-insurance", 10%-20%, which (i believe but am not certain, which if true means that the nomenclature "co-insurance" is GROSSLY misleading) means that the ins covers only 80-90% of bills, and I have to pay the remaining 10-20%. These plans are @ $500/month plus all those deductibles and "co-ins" will come out to $10K/year!! My doctors don't take most of the individual plans I've found except united healthcare and oxford. I'd pay $1K for a simple plan that simply covered everything. Help! Does anyone know of any such plans I can get in NYC? TIA

Health Insurance Coverage? I am pregnant and am working for a temp agency, I might get hired permanent for a position but mu insurance will not be effective until around my due date.. I cant take that chane and wait in case the baby comes early. I tried getting MediCal but was told i make too much to qualify. At this point i do not have any insurance and am paying cash for my appointments at Cedars Sinai. I would like to keep going there but cant afford it cash.. Can someone tell me what my options may be at this point. My husband was laid off while in the process of adding me to his insurance. He was now hired but it will take around my due date for his insurance to kick in as well. I am really concerned and would like to know what type of insurance i can get. I believe i am past the 60 day period for cobra as i left my job in Dec. what insurance can i get now. someone please help...

Switching jobs 2 months pregnant...health care help till insurance kicks in? I currently have insurance, but hate my job and it doesn’t pay much. As soon as I found out I was pregnant I started looking for another job that pays better. I have been called back for a second interview with a promising job, it pays $2 more an hour, but the insurance doesn’t kick in until after 90 days. So I will be 5 months pregnant by the time the insurance kicks in. I will not be able to pay the cobra on my current insurance it is way to much. Are there any programs that help pregnant women? I have looked into medical but with my new job I make a few dollars above the limit. I live in San Diego and the living expenses take up most of my income. Does anyone know of any programs that might help? Is there anywhere I can call to make sure I will be coverd by my new employer?

Need help with employer insurance- I found out pregnant after hired on but covered under temporary insurance?? I have been working for a company since August 9th, 2007 through a staffing agency. On January 14th, 2008 I got hired w/ the company. The staffing agency is allowing me to continue my health insurance coverage/benefit program for my "step" Son and I until the 90 day mark and as long as I want after. At 90 days, the company that I am working fors insurance will kick in. The coverage with the staffing agency is "Starbridge Select" through Cigna and is considered "COBRA" ( I think, atleast it states COBRA in the explanation of benefits handbook) So, I found out I am pregnant January 21st, which is a week after I get hired. After researching, the "COBRA Starbridge Select Insurance with the staffing agency" only covers: In-Hospital Medical Expense Benefit: Daily In-Hospital Benefit:$25,000/year Paid at 100%** to a maximum of $250/day for 100 days Additional In-Hospital Surgery and Maternity Benefit: Paid at 100%** to a maximum of $1,500 Surgery, $1,500 Maternit I am going to continue keeping the "COBRA" after the 90 days. Most likely my hired on company ins. will cover 80% if any, could the "COBRA" coverage of $1,500 and hospital stay coverage up to $250/day be used towards my 20% that I would have to pay? Has anyone been in this situation? I've also heard of a maternity discount card. Has anyone had it? The link is: http://www.maternityadvantage.com/form1/mcard.asp My copays for doctor's visits with "COBRA" are $10 which is great. Would that be the same for the ultra sounds and whatnot? What about Short Term Disability at 90 days, do most ins. companies offer it? If so, will it be too late? I am going to be out for 6 weeks after the delivery- is there any reimbursement available out there? The company that I have been hired on with does not offer it. Thanks for all the help and advice!!! :) Does anyone know an average amount per night at a hospital? Isn't it ALOT more than $250? I am in Dallas, Texas if that information helps.

My medical record indicates that I have diabetes. My A1c was 7.7.? The test was done one week after my husband of 18 years tragically passed away at work. I am 39 and have had insulin or glucose resistance for about 15 years. I know that stress can elevate all levels that would be tested to make a diagnosis of diabetes. My husband dying was the most traumatic experience of my life. I have only one family member on my side of the family that is alive. (I grew up in a foster home.) In 2004, my OB/GYN prescribed glucophage to help me to ovulate. My A1c was about 5. My blood sugar level was 105. (I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in 1997.) I felt sick taking glucophage. I could not eat M & Ms, or most other candy without getting a sugar high and feeling like I could pass out. It was as if the glucophage made me feel as if I truly was diabetic back in 2004. In addition, I was given the glucola test where one drinks an orange soda kind of drink. Before drinking the glucola, and 2 hours afterwards, blood is drawn to determine the glucose levels, etc. In a period of 1 year, I was tested 3 times. Every time, the tests came back within normal ranges. Now, back to 2009. My family doctor diagnosed me with diabetes never knowing about the OB/GYN tests. My family doctor prescribed Glimepiride. For 7 months, I took half of the lowest dosage in which the pill is made. That was my prescription. I truly do not believe that I am diabetic. But, I need some unbiased help. I have not taken the medication in 2 weeks. The first two days of not taking the medicine, I was a little sick. Then, I have felt great. I have not done anything different. My eating/exercise habits are the same now as they have been for years. My real question is this: Is it possible, that I was misdiagnosed as having diabetes. I need to purchase new health insurance. I am paying $550 a month for COBRA. And COBRA set my health insurance rate like it was with my husband alive. Meaning, the rate is for 2 people. I am a widow without any dependents. I have applied for health insurance three times and have been denied each time. I do not know what to do. I am a graduating Senior at a well known university. I expect to need insurance for about 2 years--just in case I am unable to easily find a job. I can use COBRA for another 28 months. From what I understand, student insurance is for those under 30 years of age. I may add more details later.

I changed my view of health care. Did you? I now believe in a socialized health care system based on two cases. Friend #1 worked for 32 years. Payed for medical insurance she never used. Has cancer, lost her job of 17 years and can't afford Cobra. Friend #2 changed jobs after 10 years. New insurance won't accept a preexisting condition, Now must get group insurance that cost 3 times the amount. Total cost for family equals 2/3 of pay check. How many other hard working people are suffering like this. I am not going to wait for a tragedy like this to happen to my family. I am pushing for health reform that helps all. Are you? I know you are all right. You share the belief I have had for years. It is so hard to watch hard working people suffer and discriminated against because of illness. Reform needs to happen in some way, that is for sure. Thank you for your replies.

Losing My Job? I know I will become unemployed next year. Possibly in the spring. There will be no severence package from my employer. Besides obvious things like avoiding major purchases, lowering holiday buget, etc. Any ideas of what I should be doing to prepare for this financially? I have no credit card debt, my mortgage and auto loan are less than $15k. I have a 401k but will not be old enough to draw on this without penalty. I have basically nothing in a regular savings, no liquid assets. Because of health issues, I have to have medical insurance and will have to COBRA on my medical insurance (about $350 a month). Any suggestions? I don't know when this job will end. Sometime next year. I can't expect a new employer to keep a job open for me possibly for months. And I know I will have to take a huge cut in pay so I'm not willing to quit this job before it ends. I'm thinking I posted this in the wrong category. I know I need to get another job. What I'm asking for is suggestions to plan financially for either the time between jobs or the drop in salary.

What underwriting does Kaiser Permanente GA do when applying for individual health ins. besides MIB? an exam? I just applied for Ga's Kaiser Permanente hmo individual health insurance, with a maternity plan. I answered the app honestly, Ive had no issues other than a previous C section, in which wasn't asked. It asked if I've ever been hospitalized in the last 6 months other than for pregnancy, so I said NO. I do not have a MIB file as I have never had an independent plan before...only group insurance. I was curious if they will ask ME for copies of my medical records or how else will they know it? Will they do a medical exam/physical? I have read that some make you take a pregnancy test at the kaiser facility beforehand... but I was just curious. I just had COBRA before this as it ran out 2 days ago. I have the letter stating from Cobra no preexisting... Just wondering if theres anyone out there that knows what will happen next before approval or denial.. Oh I need to say that Im young, mid 20's and would like the maternity to have more children in the future. I am not currently pregnant but hope that they dont deny me soley on having a previous c section.

Medical Health Insurance Florida: COBRA Coverage? When seeking Medical Health Insurance in Florida, how can I compare the cost of my COBRA coverage to individual Family Health Insurance Plans?

My american government current event? WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (CNN) -- For Doug Pegram, it is on the one hand simple math: His medical bills cost roughly $300 a month and a health insurance policy would cost $550. "Two or three hundred dollars goes a long way," Pegram said. Especially when you are living on unemployment benefits. Simple math, and a huge gamble: Pegram has a rare disorder, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, that in some patients can be life-threatening. "If anything happens, that's another story," Pegram told us. "But you have to do what you have to do sometimes, and you just hope for the best. And do it." Video Watch Pegram describe his tough choices » Life on the edge started in November, when Pegram lost his job at Hanesbrands Inc., the clothing manufacturer where he had worked for three years. Ironically, Pegram's job as a senior analyst included writing reports for Hanes management on sales and economic trends. "Every couple months, it [layoffs] went through the company and a few people here and there and it got worse and worse," he said. "I knew it was in the future somewhere." Now, he is looking for a job and keeping his fingers crossed his condition doesn't worsen. Ehlers-Danlos is a group of inherited disorders that affect connective tissues. In Pegram's case, it means constant pain in his legs and some other joints. "One type is you can have heart failure if you don't get checked out, so it's pretty serious that you actually go to the doctor," Pegram said. His monthly visit costs $150 -- and patients like Pegram who are without insurance are asked to pay up front. His medications run about $126 at a discount pharmacy. Pegram has old bills showing that when he was at Hanes and insured, the same medication cost the insurance company $68 because of its discount. His doctor also accepted a lower negotiated rate from the insurer. "So everything is inflated," he said of his medical costs now. Don't Miss * Green jobs grow slowly in Philadelphia * Fence represents divide over illegal immigration * Indiana mayor says he'd put stimulus money to good use * Lansing struggles with restructured GM He could have signed up for the COBRA health coverage available to workers as they lose their jobs. It was that policy Pegram said would have cost him $550 or "almost half of what you get every month" in jobless benefits and leave him "not able to pay for a place to live, and food, and all that." Video Watch President Obama's summit on health care » In an interview at his condo, we asked Pegram: "Should you be doing more? If you had insurance, would you be doing more, seeing more doctors?" "Yes, I would be." "And what's the risk of not doing that?" "I could go downhill quicker. It's a debilitating condition, so eventually I could, I don't know." Yet he is remarkably upbeat about his health and about the prospects of finding a job before his benefits run out in a few months. "I think I will find something before then," Pegram said, while conceding he might be forced soon to lower his sights and look for work that pays less than his Hanes position as long as it provides health care coverage. The jobless rate in the Winston-Salem metropolitan area was 7.6 percent in December 2008, up from 4.4 percent one year earlier. With the higher unemployment comes increases in the number of residents without health insurance. Dr. Bruce Wham has been a practicing dentist for 26 years and an amateur economist for the past year or so. "Most people feel like it is going to get worse before it gets better," Wham said when we visited his practice. "Talking to patients, talking about automobile purchases, any kind of renovations of houses, even education -- sending their kids to college, there is a lot of concern about purchasing those things or how they are going to do those things and dentistry is sometimes considered more of a luxury than a necessity and we get pushed to the back lot." One way Wham can tell if a longtime patient is about to lose his or her job is if they suddenly schedule treatments and repairs they had been putting off. It is a sign they are about to lose their insurance coverage. "Especially if there is something that they need to get done or have been 'treatment-planned' for and they have been told by the dentist, the hygienist, to replace this, yes, they are more likely to want to come in and get that done as soon as they can," Wham said. The flip side: A patient who needs major work who instead endures the pain, or asks Wham if there is a cheaper, though perhaps temporary, solution. "If there is anything that can be delayed or pushed back, that is what they are doing. They are asking us, 'Is there any way that we can hold off? Is there anything less involved, less costly until I get my job, until I know my insurance is going to be back?' in effect. "And so we do a lot of that, not necessarily temporary restorations, but things that might not last why does this pertain to government? what are the major points? and why do we care? and whats ur thought provoking question about this article?

I live in Virginia and was suspended without pay April 27 and it has no been turned into a dissmisal? The reason was failure to substantiate absences. I did substatiate them per company policy and did use more time than our company allows annually. Every abscense was medical realted and I brought a letter from the Doctor ech time , followed by insurance statements confirming the dates in question. I am losing my sight in my right eye gradually and had surgery schedule for July 12. SInce my termination was retroactive to the unpaid suspension date of April 27, my health insurance was canceled retroactively to then as well. I was offered Cobra but it will not take effect in time to help me plus I must now pay all the Doctor bills since April 27 and full prescription prices back to then. I am an over 50 adult with ADHD and Panic Attack Syndrome. I was denied unemployment benefits, not given an exit interview, I had to sign in/out daily-no one else ddid. Another emp was helped to get medical leave for his illness, another was allowed to work part-time-I felt shame and picked on HELP!

Are med expenses incurred prior to employment reimbursable from a flexible spending account with the employer? After leaving my former employer, and prior to beginning work with my new employer, our family incurred nearly $5,000 in unexpected out-of-pocket medical expenses. After leaving the former employer, rather than opting for COBRA coverage, we purchased health insurance in the private market. The unexpected medical expenses were not eligible for reimbursement from the flexible spending account that I had established at my former employer, since the expenses were incurred after coverage was terminated. Is there any way that these expenses can be eligible for reimbursement from the flexible spending account that I will establish at the new employer? Is there any way that these expenses can be tax deductible, and not be subject to the 7% income threshold?

Does it sound like I have a decent wrongful terminiation case? I had been with my previous employer for 2 years. A great employee, never missed work, never was late. Exceeded my sales goals, and helped out in every way that I could. When I found out I was pregnant, I was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, and was constantly sick. I tried working through it at first, and was put in a hostile environment at work. My Dr took me off work, and I filed everything with my job. I was referred to their insurance company to work through my medical leave, and to receive short term disability benefits. It took a little while but everything was filed, I got a letter from my job saying that my leave was approved and a check for the disability. Great! I thought... I went to a doctors appointment only to find out that my medical insurance was canceled. I came home to find a Cobra Package in the mail, stating that my reason for Cobra was termination of employment. I thought it was a mistake, but when I contacted my employer, they confirmed that I was in fact terminated for job abandonment. They said that my leave was never approved, and I had abandoned my job. When I tried to show them the letter saying my leave was approved, they said it must have been a mistake and that I was terminated. I ended up in the hospital because of stress, and put on bed rest, so I let it go for a while, deciding that my unborn daughters health was far more important. Now I have had my daughter, and I was to settle this. I am in CA and have made an appointment with DFEH, but I am wondering if I have a case? I am going to be going up against a huge bank, (Wells Fargo) and their insurance company (MetLife). I'm nervous, but I feel they discriminated against me because of my pregnancy, and the condition that developed as a result of my pregnancy. Any advice would be so great appreciated!! Thank you!

Online lawyers do they exist I am looking for an online lawyer who can help with my case. Prefer they be in Michigan or willing to travel to Michigan. And willing to accept payment at the time the case is won. I do not have a lot of money. If there are any on here please email me at tcoffell@gmail.com below is a short description of the case, and I have all documents. I have a lawsuit. I quit my job on March 6,2007 after working for a company for two years. I then had a surgery done on March 20,2007 however my employer had already canceled my health insurance on March 18,2007. I have documents showing they with held money on my last pay check(Pay period ending March 18,2007)for my health insurance. also have a letter from April 11, 2007 stating" Blue Cross Blue Shield will be maintained for a resigned or terminated full-time employee up to the last day of the month following the last day of employment." In this letter they also explain my COBRA options which from looking online I was suppose to receive within 15 days of when I quit. This has really hurt my credit before this I know my credit was not perfect had a score I believe of 580 but now i am at 451 and other than the medical bills am only about 800 in debt and have been paying off credit cards. But have about 10 different collections on my report due to the medical. There was no way of my husband and I paying off the debt in 12 months like the hospital wanting as it would of been close to 1,000 a month just for that bill. So I feel I do have a wonderful case and am just looking to make a quick $40,000-$60,000 on it to cover my medical bills and damaged credit. I have tried settling with the company myself for $40,000 and they have not accepted my offer. Reason I am looking for an online lawyer is because I have a medical condition and can not drive. I live in the country so there are no public transportation and my husband works and is only home for the weekends in which most lawyers offices are closed.

Why is health care so hard to get when you have preexsisting conditions??? My husband was laid of due to a plant closure and we are now on COBRA. Well we have been shopping for health insurance and found that we cannot get it due to our preexsisting medical cond. We would have to go through a group rate through the state. Q: Are there any group insurances we can get that wont cost us an arm a leg and our first born in California??

Best job for medical insurance coverage/rheumatoid arthritis? I wrote a long bit below, which is the why, but the question boils down to: Can anyone suggest a job that has excellent medical benefits but is not too physically demanding? I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, and while one of my medications is available very cheaply as a generic, the other drug is $1,500.00 per month. Very fortunately for me, my husband works as a police officer and so he has excellent medical insurance coverage, like most police officers and firefighters. Unfortunately for me, he is fed up with being married to me. I am 50 years old and haven’t worked since my older child was born 17 years ago. Obviously, I am going to need some retraining to prepare to go back to work. I do not have a college degree, but if I went back to school, I could probably finish one in 12 to 18 months, I could also work while I went to school or got other training. I am not afraid of hard work, and I am not planning to retire – I will work as long as I am able. I need to finish training, get a job, and pass the waiting periods for health coverage and pre-existing condition coverage before the 36-month period that I would be eligible for COBRA benefits expires. (Thereby allowing me to keep his employer-paid coverage, but I would pay for it rather than the police department.) Alternatively, I could ask my husband to agree to a legal separation for a set period (maybe the same 36-month period), which would allow me to continue to be covered under his medical insurance at his employer’s expense until we actually divorced. The most important thing to me about a job would be to get one with good medical benefits, particularly prescription drug coverage. The actual salary is less important, because my needs are very basic. I could always get a 2nd job if necessary, as long as the first job had good prescription drug coverage. While my health is otherwise good, and I am not disabled due to early diagnosis and treatment, I am not strong enough to get a police or firefighter job. I need one that I can do even if my drugs start to be less effective for me and I become somewhat disabled. Preferably the job would be one that is VERY secure, maybe even civil service, because with coverage and pre-existing condition waiting periods, I couldn’t afford to lose the job and my medical benefits along with it. Ideas?

Health Insurance problem!!!Please Help!!!? Hello my brother is in hospital, he is in coma. His insurance is going to stop covering him in about 1 week. Right now I am not sure who is going to pay for his medical care. We are Internationals. He is university student. Very smart. He needs 2 more surgeries needed to be done. Please help me, I have heard about Cobra insurance, also Assurant Health. Is there any way my brother can get coverage? What should Iook for or if someone knows how to deal with this kind of situation please help me. God Bless you. Thank you very much.

Health insurance denial for treatment and "self-funded" plan rules? My doctor tried to get preauthorization for treating a medical condition of mine more than nine months ago. My insurance stubbornly denied it time after time after time. Between these ?time after time? periods, the requests were lost in the mail (if you believe that), papers were ?misplaced? by them, and there were delays because of practically every little thing. Eventually, my case went to an external review board that ruled in my favor, over-turning the plans denial; the insurance has to pay for my treatment now. This ruling in my favor came just last week, the same week that my coverage with this health plan ended as a result of my COBRA continuation coverage expiring. I believe my insurance should still have to pay for the treatment, because I would have had the treatments months ago, when I was covered, if it weren?t for the insurances negligence and incompetence.