Health Insurance

[DreamWeaver]

I'm going to be laid off in the next month so i'll be on my own for health insurance. I have no clue how to obtain my own. Any suggestions? What else is out there besides Cobra? Is it crazy expensive? I take lots of drugs so there is no way I can get on without it.

Thanks bitches.

[Thebazile78]

I'm going to be laid off in the next month so i'll be on my own for health insurance. I have no clue how to obtain my own. Any suggestions? What else is out there besides Cobra? Is it crazy expensive? I take lots of drugs so there is no way I can get on without it.

Thanks bitches.

Check with the drug companies who manufacture your drugs to see if they have any charity care programs that would help you get your meds at a reduced rate.

[JPMNICK]

I'm going to be laid off in the next month so i'll be on my own for health insurance. I have no clue how to obtain my own. Any suggestions? What else is out there besides Cobra? Is it crazy expensive? I take lots of drugs so there is no way I can get on without it.

Thanks bitches.

cobra is usually the best way to go, since you get a reduced rate through your old company

[~Katja~]

I'm going to be laid off in the next month so i'll be on my own for health insurance. I have no clue how to obtain my own. Any suggestions? What else is out there besides Cobra? Is it crazy expensive? I take lots of drugs so there is no way I can get on without it.

Thanks bitches.

I read that under Obama Cobra would be subsidized by 65%... not sure if that is in effect yet but it may come soon.
I am in the same boat, I have until end of May now, my boss basically extended it a bit to give me more time to find a new job.

[~Katja~]

cobra is usually the best way to go, since you get a reduced rate through your old company

reduced rate? From what I remember it was the full rate + an administrative fee.

[Zorro]

I'm going to be laid off in the next month so i'll be on my own for health insurance. I have no clue how to obtain my own. Any suggestions? What else is out there besides Cobra? Is it crazy expensive? I take lots of drugs so there is no way I can get on without it.

Thanks bitches.

With COBRA you are paying the corporate rate for the same coverage you had as an employee. So, if it was a super plan you might want to call the insurer and ask for options...changing deductibles and such. But it's rare that you can find a price less than what you're paying for COBRA. If you can, make sure there are no pre-exisitng condition exclusions

[~Katja~]

found some info on the subsidy of cobra

Timing and eligibility

The new federal subsidy will cover 65 percent of premiums for nine months. But it's available only to workers who lose their jobs between Sept. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2009. This provision is generating quite a bit of heat from some people who lost their jobs earlier - and understandably so. The limitations appear to be a concession to limit overall cost of the subsidy program.



Filing deadlines

Generally, you need to file for COBRA coverage within 60 days of leaving your job. But under the economic stimulus law, if you lost your job but didn't elect COBRA, you'll have 60 days to make an election and get the subsidy after you receive a notification from your old employer of the subsidized rates and that you are again eligible.



The subsidy

If you're eligible, you'll pay premiums equal to 35 percent of the total to your former employer's plan; the plan will receive the difference through reduced payroll taxes that they would have paid to the federal government, or through a refund under certain circumstances. The subsidy is limited to nine months.



Income caps

The subsidy is only available to individuals with maximum adjusted gross income of $125,000, and $250,000 for married couples filing jointly.



You can find out with your employer what their current full rate is so you have an idea on what to expect.
Since you have medical conditions and ar eon medication it seems even more important for you to continue coverage as it may be declined later on if there was a gap in coverage.

[Freitag]

I take lots of drugs

*quietly texts Fallon*

[Freitag]

Since you know the layoff is coming, your first option would be to start shopping around. Call Blue Cross, Aetna, etc. and see what they can offer you. If they can't give you a better deal than COBRA, go with COBRA.

I remember I had to pay like 400/mo for "emerency break glass" insurance back in the day with a high deductible, so I don't know how much it would be.


Another option would be getting a temp job or a job waiting tables that offers benefits.

[The Jays]

I don't get it It says I had 60 days to file after I lost my job, which is now past 60 days. So, I'd like to take advantage of the subsidy, but it's too late now, I got laid off on 01/15.

[~Katja~]

I don't get it It says I had 60 days to file after I lost my job, which is now past 60 days. So, I'd like to take advantage of the subsidy, but it's too late now, I got laid off on 01/15.

are you already doing Cobra? I think you have a grace period to sign up for cobra after you are laid off.

another source writes this
Who's eligible to receive the subsidy?
Laid-off employees and their family members who are eligible for and elect COBRA between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009, can receive the subsidy. In addition, eligible employees who lost their jobs between September 1 of last year and February 16 of this year who either didn't sign up for COBRA or who signed up but dropped the coverage have another chance to sign up and get the reduced premium. Watch your mail: Your plan should notify you by April 18 that you have this second opportunity to sign up. Once you receive the notice, you have 60 days to elect the coverage.

http://health.usnews.com/blogs/on-health-and-money/2009/3/5/8-questions-you-may-have-about-the-new-cobra-subsidy.html

[The Jays]

I didn't elect to do Cobra because it was too fucking expensive, but now if there's gonna be a subsidy for it, maybe I'd like to take advantage, but, I got laid off on Jan 15, and it's past 60 days now... I did get the first package about near the begining of Feb, but you're saying I should be getting a second letter now that the stimulus plan passed?

[~Katja~]

I didn't elect to do Cobra because it was too fucking expensive, but now if there's gonna be a subsidy for it, maybe I'd like to take advantage, but, I got laid off on Jan 15, and it's past 60 days now... I did get the first package about near the begining of Feb, but you're saying I should be getting a second letter now that the stimulus plan passed?

call the company and ask if the will still send you information to enroll in cobra now that there is the option to enroll for the subsidy at the same time

[Zorro]

I didn't elect to do Cobra because it was too fucking expensive, but now if there's gonna be a subsidy for it, maybe I'd like to take advantage, but, I got laid off on Jan 15, and it's past 60 days now... I did get the first package about near the begining of Feb, but you're saying I should be getting a second letter now that the stimulus plan passed?

I believe you're not reading it right. 60 days is what you normally have to elect COBRA...this is extending it giving you a "second chance".

From the Fed Labor Dept website
Special COBRA Election Opportunity: Individuals involuntarily terminated from September 1, 2008 through February 16, 2009 who did not elect COBRA when it was first offered OR who did elect COBRA, but are no longer enrolled (for example because they were unable to continue paying the premium) have a new election opportunity. This election period begins on February 17, 2009 and ends 60 days after the plan provides the required notice. This special election period does not extend the period of COBRA continuation coverage beyond the original maximum period (generally 18 months from the employee's involuntary termination). COBRA coverage elected in this special election period begins with the first period of coverage beginning on or after February 17, 2009. This special election period opportunity does not apply to coverage sponsored by employers with less than 20 employees that is subject to State law.



There's a bunch more to this. Check your State's Insurance Department website...they all have a pretty good explanation...

[beachbum]

I own my own business and therefore have to pay for my own health insurance.All you can do is call around and ask questions of different providers.Make sure that your pre-existing condition doesnt disqualify you before you allow your current coverage to lapse.Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida gave me the best deal that I could find.It still sucks balls.I pay $617 per month for my wife,one child,and myself with a $2500 deductible.None of us have serious medical issues so I figure the higher deductible is the most economic way to go.Rx benefits are somewhat seperate and all policies vary.Please refer to the written policy as it will always prevail.


Sorry I'm not familier with Cobra but it sounds like Katja has it nailed.

[sr71blackbird]

Interesting:


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[LordJezo]

Do you still live in NJ? If so, sadness. What pisses me off is that what would cost us here in this state $1000 a month or something absurd costs people I know across the border in PA about $120.

I haven't looked into it in a couple of years but I wonder if it's still that terrible.

[~Katja~]

Do you still live in NJ? If so, sadness. What pisses me off is that what would cost us here in this state $1000 a month or something absurd costs people I know across the border in PA about $120.

I haven't looked into it in a couple of years but I wonder if it's still that terrible.

I am in PA and my plan which is not the greatest coverage, costs me about 500/ month... that's just single. If I add in my kid it is double if not more.