Health Insurance, HELP!!!!

[tclance]

Hey Everyone,
Im recovering from my 2nd hip replacement. Unfourtunatly when I got home from the hospital last
Friday I had a certified letter from the company I work for waiting for me. Apparently 20+ years of service
dose not count for anything anymore and I will be terminated 3/12 because the injurys have kept me out of work for 1yr. They redirect you to Cobra. $1800 a month for insurance!!! Started calling around and that was cheap compared to some of the other quotes, or got turned down because of pre-existing conditions.
I was just wondering if anyone might know of a reasonable insurance company. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
TC

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[ctr]

Check into disability claims with your state. Missing a year of work is a lot. It is not unreasonable for an employer to replace an employee who is abscent for a year or more.

[tclance]

I dont blame the company for doing what they did as it is stated in HR policy. I have my own LTD policy so its not that bad. I just cant beleive how much money these insurance companys charge, as my family and I have never been without. Already applied
for disability with the state but from what I have been told it takes a while.
TC

[Eagleks]

In our state, there is a service where they connect people with insurance options, for such situations that are much better than what you will find on your own. You might check locally if there is. Call the Social Security office in your area, ironically... they typically know about them and the who, what, where, etc.

Also , check Medicaid in your state ... not always the best, but if you've been out of work, they may give some assistance.

Most typically.... long term disability insurance will cover you .... file before 3/12 if you can. It could make a difference as to whether you could get it or not.

[Hopyard]

1_ While I don't know the details, there are some insurance exchanges operating in some states (as provided by the new health care law) and by Uncle for folks who go
without health insurance for 6 months.

You might look into that system (it will be universal in 2014 that anyone can buy
coverage through exchanges) and though it probably isn't wise, you might have to make the calculation that going without for 6 months would be OK if you could get affordable insurance instead of the COBRA fraud-pretend-to help-the-working-guy provisions. If you can get reasonably priced individual coverage from an exchange by hanging on for 6 months sans, it might be worth the gamble.

There should be some Georgia and Federal sites you can find that will give you more information.

2_You should contact EEOC and your state employment commission for assistance. It may not be as reasonable as you and some others think it is to terminate you as a result of your illness; especially since they have come out and stated that as the
reason for your termination. They may be crossing a line into areas where you are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended in 2008---- a nice touch actually signed into law by GWB. Do some on-line research here

US EEOC Home Page

3) Are your hip issues in any remote way related to your employment? Too much time standing? Too much time in awkward positions on your hips? If that is a possibility you may also have avenues to follow with respect to employment compensation.

I sympathize with you. No loyalty to the working man anymore, if there ever was. And too many older workers get canned as soon as there is the slightest excuse; too many years shy for Medicare, too few years for any pension, and too old to get new work.

Changing that brutal arrangement is why I espouse liberal positions here. I don't believe in social Darwinism and fate or bad luck being allowed to ruin people's lives, and at your age, perhaps even your offspring's chance for a college education.

Definitely talk about this with folks at your state's employment commission (what ever they call it where you are) because there is something pretty sleazy about what they just did to you--- and it isn't about the time you missed. It is about the increased
premium their insurance carrier is going to stick them with. They want you out because you have been sick. And that is wrong.

EDITED OUT SOMETHING ABOUT KANSAS-- I misunderstood which state you are in.

There may be an exchange in GA for folks who go without insurance for 6 months; and there may be a Federal exchange-- I couldn't find links and maybe they don't exist yet. But, I thought the Federal one was already operating in a limited way for folks who have gone without for 6 months.

[Sig35seven]

I also had a hip replacement 2 years ago. Shortly after the procedure I developed blood clots in both legs. I am on Coumadin (blood thinner) ever since.

Insurance companies don't want to talk to me. I had insurance through my wife's work on a group plan. The insurance company dropped the entire group. I didn't know they could do that. (Florida) I went on Cobra but has since run out. New laws should help me get insurance, right? Sure,I have gotten quotes for my wife and myself in excess of $5000 a month with a very high deductible.

I am now uninsured at age 62.

I have never asked for a bail-out and have paid my insurance all my life. I've never even collected unemployment. I am a veteran and have always done what I thought was right. I now experience first hand an ugly side of capitalist corporate greed. Insurance companies want to insure the cream of the crop. The healthy ones only. Need to improve that bottom line you know!

If your not part of a group plan in a large company (say you work for yourself) and you get sick like have a stroke or heart attack. Your insurance co. will cover that illness and then drop you when you need them the most. Once you have any serious pre-condition your out of the loop. Your Un-insurable and they force you out.

We need some sort of national health system that is fair to everyone. Anyone who says we don't need changes in our health care system really has no clue what they are talking about. Without Government intervention the free market insurance companies will suck us dry then leave you dying on your doorstep.

[Crescentstar]

Check into filing for disability. You will most likely need a lawyer, but it is worth it. The policy seems to be denial on your first try if you don't have legal help. Good luck, and I feel for you, having been through it myself. Hang in there!

[tclance]

Thanks Hopyard!! I appreciate the info. Kind of like Sig35seven. Worked all my life, paid into this stupid system, never asked for anything. Now that my family and I could use some help its going to be like pulling teeth to get it. Worst part is I already put 3 daughters through college one more to go and my wife of 28yrs has heart related issues. Some of the medications she is on are quite expensive. Going to have to deal with the other demon, these drug companys!!!!
Well going to keep my head up and keep fighting the system. Thats all I can do.
Regards,
TC

[Hopyard]

Thanks Hopyard!! I appreciate the info. Kind of like Sig35seven. Worked all my life, paid into this stupid system, never asked for anything. Now that my family and I could use some help its going to be like pulling teeth to get it. Worst part is I already put 3 daughters through college one more to go and my wife of 28yrs has heart related issues. Some of the medications she is on are quite expensive. Going to have to deal with the other demon, these drug companys!!!!
Well going to keep my head up and keep fighting the system. Thats all I can do.
Regards,
TC

This might sound goofy, but if you can't find access to an exchange, ask your Senator's office to assist. I am quite certain that there presently are Federal exchanges though they have stiff requirements for joining; e.g, six months without insurance; maybe an income qualification test, just a guess that could be way off the mark.

The sad thing about the new health law is that politics caused it to be phased in over about a 6 year time frame; and many
people are still falling through the cracks because the plan has not been fully implemented. Many states have simply dug their heals in and refused to go along with it --- on political grounds. They won't even take millions of dollars of Federal money offered to them to set up the program. Shame on those who implement such policies and make life further difficult for guys like you and Sig.

Since we don't want this to get further into political matters, if you want to talk, I'd be happy to hear you via private message; though I don't think there is much else I can offer besides moral support.

[Hot Wing]

Prayers sent cant help with insurance .

I know the employer thing I was fired from hospital bed via telphone

Missing two days of workk.

Trust plenty of scum bags out there for employers

[blastissimo]

Have a look at this, you don't fall into the pre-existing category if you currently have insurance.

Pre Existing Conditions - Understanding Pre Existing Conditions

Quote from:
An important feature of HIPAA is known as “creditable coverage.”
Creditable coverage is health insurance coverage you had before you enrolled in your new health plan, as long as it was not interrupted by a period of 63 or more days. The amount of time you had “creditable” health insurance coverage can be used to offset a pre-existing condition exclusion period in your new health plan.

The bottom line: If you had at least a full year of health coverage at your previous job and you enrolled in your new health plan without a break of 63 days or more, your new health plan cannot subject you to the pre-existing condition exclusion.

[Rock and Glock]

I don't have much advice here, but pay attention to 3/12, COBRA and the 63 Day rule. COBRA coverage is expensive, but might buy some time.

Here are some resources I found with a quick search:

Georgia Health Insurance

Foundation for Health Coverage Education

http://coverageforall.org/finder/index.php

Good luck!

My wife is in the Colorado Pool while I have Private Insurance. No pretty answers seem to be available, just the least ugly.

Here's some Florida info too:

http://www.healthinsurance.org/FL/

[Oldfart60]

I also had a hip replacement 2 years ago. Shortly after the procedure I developed blood clots in both legs. I am on Coumadin (blood thinner) ever since.

Insurance companies don't want to talk to me. I had insurance through my wife's work on a group plan. The insurance company dropped the entire group. I didn't know they could do that. (Florida) I went on Cobra but has since run out. New laws should help me get insurance, right? Sure,I have gotten quotes for my wife and myself in excess of $5000 a month with a very high deductible.

I am now uninsured at age 62.

I have never asked for a bail-out and have paid my insurance all my life. I've never even collected unemployment. I am a veteran and have always done what I thought was right. I now experience first hand an ugly side of capitalist corporate greed. Insurance companies want to insure the cream of the crop. The healthy ones only. Need to improve that bottom line you know!

If your not part of a group plan in a large company (say you work for yourself) and you get sick like have a stroke or heart attack. Your insurance co. will cover that illness and then drop you when you need them the most. Once you have any serious pre-condition your out of the loop. Your Un-insurable and they force you out.

We need some sort of national health system that is fair to everyone. Anyone who says we don't need changes in our health care system really has no clue what they are talking about. Without Government intervention the free market insurance companies will suck us dry then leave you dying on your doorstep.

I thought everyone on this forum was against any kind of government involvement in health insurance (except me, perhaps). Isn't this socialism? I am not making fun of any of the posters who are having health insurance problems. We DO need national health care insurance for people like you, but we won't get it if you are going to vote Republican. Don't want to upset those rich insurance companies that are filling their coffers. I thought the purpose of government was to look out for the health and welfare of the people. Can't we agree to do this without putting labels like socialism or communism on programs that will help our country's people? Just my opinion, not looking to start a fight. I wish the best of luck to all those having health insurance problems.

[Aiko]

Hey Everyone,
Im recovering from my 2nd hip replacement. Unfourtunatly when I got home from the hospital last
Friday I had a certified letter from the company I work for waiting for me. Apparently 20+ years of service
dose not count for anything anymore and I will be terminated 3/12 because the injurys have kept me out of work for 1yr. They redirect you to Cobra. $1800 a month for insurance!!! Started calling around and that was cheap compared to some of the other quotes, or got turned down because of pre-existing conditions.
I was just wondering if anyone might know of a reasonable insurance company. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
TC

Is working for a company that provides benefits even a place like Starbucks an option?

[ctr]

I thought everyone on this forum was against any kind of government involvement in health insurance (except me, perhaps). Isn't this socialism? I am not making fun of any of the posters who are having health insurance problems. We DO need national health care insurance for people like you, but we won't get it if you are going to vote Republican. Don't want to upset those rich insurance companies that are filling their coffers. I thought the purpose of government was to look out for the health and welfare of the people. Can't we agree to do this without putting labels like socialism or communism on programs that will help our country's people? Just my opinion, not looking to start a fight. I wish the best of luck to all those having health insurance problems.

Way off topic and ignorant. Ignorance is not stupidity, but a lack of knowlege. Insurance companies do have coffers, more properly known as reserves. Insurance companies put money aside in anticipation of future claims based on statistical models. Insurance companies also purchase insurance from other, larger insurance underwriters, known as re-insurance. Re-insurance pays for claims above and beyond what an insurance company has in reserves. Katrina is an excellent example where many insurance companies applied their re-insurance policies to pay out claims for policy holders.

Insurance companies are highly regulated by state insurance departments that determine what insurance companies can charge (rates), what is excludable, etc. The companies are not evil, rich entitities that some folks such as yourself ignorantly proclaim. Consider yourself educated.