• From: Uniontown, Ohio
  • Registered: Fri, 23 Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1,487

Topic: Lauren and insurance.

We just got off the phone with FMLA people and Lauren's work insurance people. I won't go into the boring details, but she is still covered and will be covered by COBRA for 18mos. What they didn't tell me, but I read on here awhile back, is that if you are on Disability, you can get your COBRA extended for another 11 mos. after that for a higher price. You must submit a letter from Disability. I just wanted to say thanks to this site. Without you, I never would've known this. Just one of the little things they fail to tell you. I am finding out more and more, this is the case. So frustrating and we have enough to worry about already. But, we are strong and they will not knock us down!! Love you all and thank God for this site!

Hoping for a miracle for my daughter, Lauren.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Pamela's Website

  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 772

Re: Lauren and insurance.

Thanks so much for posting this Pam. I didn't know that. It will probably help me out in Oct. when my COBRA runs out. I was told madicare will kick in then, but you never know with these programs. Although I do have to say disability was pretty easy. (I hired a lawyer).

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • From: Uniontown, Ohio
  • Registered: Fri, 23 Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1,487

Re: Lauren and insurance.

Hi Kris,

I guess Medicare kicks in 24 months from the date you were deemed disabled. So this 11 month extension is for people that haven't received disability for 24 months before their COBRA runs out. The letter from Disability has to be under 60 days old, so I guess we will be contacting the SS office. Yippee, I have been on the phone all day with different agencies. Can't wait to have to call another one.

Hoping for a miracle for my daughter, Lauren.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Pamela's Website

  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 772

Re: Lauren and insurance.

They told me 12 months. I better check on that... Something else to worry about. And my COBRA would run out 1 month before medicare if that's the story.

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,157

Re: Lauren and insurance.

This is such important information.  Do you think that we could move this over to our "insurance" section?
Hugs,
Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
  • From: Uniontown, Ohio
  • Registered: Fri, 23 Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1,487

Re: Lauren and insurance.

Kris,

Maybe it is different in each state. I would call to make sure, though. All I know is that Lauren will be paying out the wazoo for COBRA. Then it goes up even more when it is the extended 11 months. She gets penalized for living at home and doesn't get as much money from disability. She could never afford to live on he own with what she is given. Her insurance is going to be almost half the amount she receives a month. I don't know how all of you living on your own do it. By the time you pay for insurance, prescriptions, doctor co-pays, hospital bills, and gas for travel , there is nothing left. Sorry Marion, I must have overlooked that we had an Insurance section. I usually put all my comments in the "General Discussion" slot.

Hoping for a miracle for my daughter, Lauren.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Pamela's Website

  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 772

Re: Lauren and insurance.

Pam:
By the time I pay my mortgage and COBRA, my disability is gone. Are you supposed to pay hospital and doctor bills??? OOPS!!!!! Guess I missed that. The trouble is when I have prescriptions, electric, food, gas, travel, TV, internet, phone... yep. My savings are pretty much gone. Thank GOD I had some! And my COBRA goes up this month because the company I worked for has to renegotiate so we might be changing insurance companies. That ought to be fun. I was almost at my yearly cap and wasn't gonna have to pay copays anymore. And then in Oct. I guess it will go up again? I"m already paying over $400. June should be around $500 or so per month.
Good luck! I'm going to look into all this next week I guess. So I know what to expect.
And thank God my parents have some money. I've made it a year, but I think I'm gonna have to start asking. At least until my life can get on an even keel long enough that I can get a job. I don't know about where you live, but I can make $999/month and not affect my disability. And I can say "Welcome to Walmart" as well as the next person! smile
Check with local organizations, too. There are foundations all over the place that help cancer patients and their families. I have arranged for one here to mow my lawn, since I can't. Not allowed to use the mower. They also give a donation to the cancer patients and/or families to offset bills, food, or whatever it is needed for. I'm sure you have some near you. I have to find the info for another one: they give gift cards for Walmart so you can buy things. And I think maybe gas cards. I've got to get on the ball and find these places. And I'm going to check out food stamps. Hey, that's what they are there for, right?
I know with Lauren living with you some of this won't pertain to you, but for anyone else reading this it's worth checking out.

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • From: Uniontown, Ohio
  • Registered: Fri, 23 Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1,487

Re: Lauren and insurance.

Kris,

You managed to crack me up yet again with the Walmart greeter thing. Haaaahaaa! Maybe you could work nights as a comedian.  I just think you and everyone else are entitled to everything that is available. That is why I want a handicap sticker so if Lauren doesn't feel good enough to walk far, we have a choice to park close. I usually park super far away because we have a new Explorer and I don't want anyone hitting it. Poor Lauren. I don't really understand the reason we are penalized because she lives with us. That means we are paying more out of our pockets for stuff. There are so many that are way worse off than us, so I would never ask for help for us. My husband has a good job. It hurts us that I am not working, but with all the appts. Lauren has, I would never be able to keep a job. I would be fired the second week I worked there for absences. Hopefully, one day she will be better and I can get another job. I think everything you mentioned is great for others that really need help. Thanks , Kris!!

Hoping for a miracle for my daughter, Lauren.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Pamela's Website

  • Registered: Thu, 09 Sep 2010
  • Posts: 533

Re: Lauren and insurance.

Pam/Kris-I qualified for medicare after 24 months and is was not the answer to my prayer!! I was pretty blindsided by the expense. I have private BCBS insurance and believe it or not my premiums are less than medicare. I would have to pay $115.00 for PartB (doctors visit, out patient test...) PartA (hospital) free PartD (drugs) about $40-75 (and there is something called the donut hole which means there are major deductables) and then the supplement, which since we are under 80 and on disability is expensive. I was close to $500.00 a month with major out pocket expense and my private insurance is about $375.00 month. I don't mean to be "debbie downer", but I was disappointed because I thought some of my financial nightmare would get easier (I will always have major medical bills because of my transplant-but I am so happy to have them because I am here to complain about them!!).
I suggest you start calling medicare and checking supplement policies. Kris if you qualify for food stamps you should also check medicaid, any more you don't need stress -it's not healthy!! LOL!
Lots of prayers for both of you through this-Cathy

  • From: Uniontown, Ohio
  • Registered: Fri, 23 Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1,487

Re: Lauren and insurance.

Thanks Cathy. I am sure it is going to be tough for us, but Lauren is an adult and like the saying goes, "You can't get blood from a turnip." She will have COBRA for at least 18months. We will figure out what comes next after that. The hospital bills will be paid little by little. What else do they expect. Lauren doesn't have a house they can come after. She basically has her disability and that is it. It is funny. Before Lauren had cancer, I would get so upset over the smallest things. Cancer puts everything into perspective. Everything usually turns out ok with regards to insurance, bills, etc. I do not "sweat the small stuff" anymore. Life is too short. Take care.

Love, -Pam

Hoping for a miracle for my daughter, Lauren.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Pamela's Website