Annie... I didn't realize that act was in effect now. That's great news because when hubby ever gets another job, his new Insurance cannot deny me due to MG. It's been eight months and he's still unemployed
His last severance pay check will be on June 30th and then unemployment kicks in. Of course that means that his income will be cut in half and that's another reason why I'm not a happy camper right now.

Since the ONLY medigap policy I can get costs almost as much as what it would cost me to retain Cobra coverage just for me it's looking like I am going to have to purchase the single Cobra policy for a little while. So expensive but when I think about it, it makes more sense in the fact that my IVIG will continue to be fully covered with the private plan and I should be able to continue on without worrying about a disruption in my IG infusions. Maybe I will even be able to extend the IVIG a little more in between times while still on Cobra.

It's going to be a financial strain beyond belief but if I can't be denied for my "pre-existing condition" by hubby's new insurance whenever he does find employment then this may just be the road I must travel.

Just wish I could cut some costs with my monthly expenses but doesn't look like that can happen. We don't have luxuries of life, just the neccessities so you can't cut out what you need to survive. And with two teenage children it's really hard to cut back on much of anything.

Being on SSDI and hubby being unemployed is a situation which I would have never imagine happening to us. I just have to always remember that My help comes from the Lord and He will continue to make a way for me. Even when I start to panic and complain a little.

Thanks for that tidbit of info Annie. It really does help to know that medicare doesn't have to automatically turn into my Primary coverage just because hubby lost his previous job. At least the Cobra coverage will buy me a little more time and that's another thing I should be thankful for

And when you have continuous coverage, a pre-existing condition doesn't come into play anyway.

Go on-line and find out if that part of the bill has kicked in. I believe it has but I know that some of the bill happens at different times. Whatever! Could they make it harder.

Shari - I am so sorry about this health insurance nightmare. I know when I went through it, I was appalled at the costs.

FWIW - my understanding is that when your hubby gets another job with health care benefits, you can not be denied because his coverage will come from a group policy. Company group policies have never been able to deny pre-existing conditions though they can limit the amount(s) of coverage to all policy holders based on the parameters of the package the Company purchased.

Large companies have the best coverages because their 'group' is very large. Small and very small companies usually have expensive policies (if they offer coverage at all) and expect their eligible workers to bear a higher percentage of the insurance cost compared to large companies.

More and more employers make sure they don't hire for more than 32 (or 35) hours / week which makes you ineligible for any company benefits. Labor statistics show that temp and part time employment is up while full time employment remains very depressed. Benefits are a big part of the reason.

Single pay policies are where the insurance companies stick it to any one with a preexisting condition...because by definition we are only a group of one!! They can pretty much figure out based on your history and your condition what you will cost them and price accordingly.

Based on what I pay in my state's high risk pool (for a policy with a $7500 deductible!), that $409 you quoted for supplemental coverage doesn't surprise me. (Oh yes - my neuro told me to be sure any policy I purchased didn't excluded or limit use of 'blood products'...apparently some do.)

Now re: Cobra - my understanding is that you can not get coverage by yourself. Since you are the dependent, your husband has to get Cobra and then enlist you as a dependent. Check the pricing carefully. It may be more cost effective to use Cobra for the whole family...even though it will cost more per month. Also be VERY careful with the company administering Cobra. They go out of their way to find ways to cancel you (don't be even an hour late with a payment!).

I wish I knew of other options. The only thing I can think of is to contact your state's high risk pool to see if you can get your supplemental policy through them at a more reasonable rate. It might be worth a try.

Thanks for the info Suev. I actually can continue the Cobra coverage for just myself. There were many options to choose from on the initial paperwork regarding coverage and one of them was for the spouse only. We selected the Family coverage at the time because payment of coverage was the responsibility of my husbands previous employer during his 8 month severance period. The family coverage will cost us $1700 per month if we continue that coverage after June 30, 2012 There is NO way that we can afford that. It's already going to be difficult to pay over $552 just for me alone.


I just spoke with the Cobra Plan to find out what I needed to do before July 1st to continue coverage just for me and she indicated that all I need to do is have my husband make the changes in writing to inform them of his decision to drop himself and my children from the policy and continue my coverage alone. I have no choice but to keep it due to the expense of my IVIG. My daughter already has medicaid and will continue to have it until she's 18 so she is okay without Cobra coverage. I'll have to find out about getting my son insured through the state somehow as he should qualify since dad is unemployed and mom is on SSDI. Have no idea what to do about my husband except pray that he remains healthy until he can find full time work with benefits. We will be sending in that payment for my coverage along with the letter indicating the changes.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be where we are right now. I honestly thought that my husband would have found a full time job with benefits WELL BEFORE his 8 month severance period was up but here we are.

Where did the time go? I've asked myself that question on more occassions than not lately.

Thanks to everyone who has allowed me to vent