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Help with Benefits


Tue, January 25, 2011 8:00 AM

My girlfriend had a complete Ileostomy in 2006. It has been tough. She is 52 years old now and worried that her company is going to change or end their insurance. Her medical bills would bankrupt her. Is there anywhere she can sign up for assistance? Then like some of the other statements out here about trying to get a new insurance company to cover her and having to take a physical.

 

Thanks

 

Indianapolis

FPO tom56
Joined Jan 25, 2011

Mon, June 06, 2011 9:49 AM

 Reply posted for Jessi Messy.

Thanks Jessie. Her policy through work is with Humana. They did end the benefits and then brought them back on at a much higher rate. Since then she has applied for disability. Couple months more to go.

 

FPO tom56
Joined Jan 25, 2011

Mon, June 06, 2011 9:13 AM

 Reply posted for Tom56.

COBRA is expensive, but it's not the only way. Look into Humana.

FPO jessi messy
Joined Jun 4, 2011

Tue, January 25, 2011 3:11 PM

 Reply posted for Tom56.

I agree.  She needs to find out what options they are telling the employees.  Gosh - let me know if there is anything else I can try to help with.  We had to do COBRA for 6 months when my husband lost his benefits.  I just was able to get a new plan through my new job on 1/1/11.  It was brutal but it kept us from sinking completely.

I'll be thinking of you all.

Claire's Mom

FPO azmom
Joined Jul 20, 2009

Tue, January 25, 2011 11:24 AM

 Reply posted for AZMOM.

Thanks Claire. She really doesn't discuss it with me much. I have to kind of pry it out of her with questions. I think they are looking at ending coverage at the end of this month. So I guess she should probably talk with the provider and get the info on COBRA as soon as possible.

 

Thanks again

FPO tom56
Joined Jan 25, 2011

Tue, January 25, 2011 10:46 AM

 Reply posted for Tom56.

Tom - The insurance part is tough, I know.  Every situation is different but I can give you what little insight I have. 

Even if her company quits offering the benefits, they (they insurance company, not her employer) have to allow the employees the opportunity to pay a premium and get coverage.  This is commonly referred to as COBRA.  I bleive you can pruchase COBRA coverage for up to 18 months.  It is very expensive but way less expensive than paying your bills as a self-pay patient.

Try not to worry about what would happen then.  If she is shopping on the individual market, I'm not familiar with the Indiana laws.  

Does she have any idea what the timeline is on her employer deciding whether or not to continue the coverage?

Claire's Mom 

FPO azmom
Joined Jul 20, 2009

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