No Insurance

Traci-----TripNeg

Hey everybody,

I wasn't sure where to post this.....we need an insurance forum! I hope some people with experience see this....

I just got a notice that my insurance is going from $680 per month to $767 per month. My first thought when I read the notice was "I can't do this, I have to let it lapse."

I know I've seen threads about people with no insurance but when I do a search, 1,000's of posts come up with just the word insurance in them.

Can anybody with experience w/out insurance give me some guidance?

I'm o.k. right now, I think, I'm past due for my blood work because I have to ....nevermind, that's another story.....but, I am very high risk for recurrance. Stage III, Trip Neg, BRCA +, Family history.......

If I have a recurrance, can I get treatment without insurance?

I've been through alot financially (haven't we all) and another $100 per month just makes me want to throw up. Almost $800 per month is just too much.

Any words of advice are sincerely appreciated.

Hugs, Traci

badboob67

Traci,

I'm wondering, since you just moved to a new state, if you would be eligible for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Care Program?? The link to the national program is on my wikispace (address in my signature line), but you would find the best info by contacting your local Social Services office. Most states require you to apply for the program before a dx, but moving to a new state might open up a loophole for you.  The program is a type of Medicaid, but the qualification guidelines are less strict income-wise. There are other programs listed on my wikispace and I seem to recall Texas does have a large charitable bc organization (I think it had "wings' in the name--I can't remember right now).

Other than that, there are lots of places that can help you out with $100 here or $500 there, but ongoing, I haven't really found anything helpful. 

The frightful thing about the insurance is that if you are able to swing the higher payment for a while, there's nothing stopping them from increasing the premium at will. I feel your pain, Traci--I really do! I'm praying something comes through for you.

((((HUGS))))
Diane

Traci-----TripNeg

Diane, you are awesome. Has anybody told you that lately? I bet the answer is yes.

I just now saw the dog and cat in you avatar. I'm going to your wiki (never heard of that before!!) now.

Hugs, Traci

yellowrose

Hi Traci,

Don't have much info to share but did know that Lance Armstrong's Livestrong.org has some good links regarding insurance issues. 

I have tried to copy the link but my computer is being persnickety.  If you go to http://www.livestrong.org/  and type in health insurance in the search box you'll find the page. I did get the following info to paste.  Hope it helps.

LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare Program
www.livestrong.org/survivorcare

Phone:	1-866-235-7205
	Case managers take calls Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST). Voicemail is available after hours.

LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare offers assistance to all cancer survivors, including the person diagnosed, caregivers, family and friends. The program provides education, information about treatment options and new treatments in development, counseling services and assistance with financial, employment or insurance issues. To provide these services, LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare has partnered with several organizations, including CancerCare, Patient Advocate Foundation and EmergingMed.

easyquilts

Hi...I live in Ohio, and did not have insurance when diagnosed....I applied to the Ohio Breast and Cervical Cancer Project BEFORE the actual diagnosis (as advised), and that made me eligible for a special Medicaid that will pay for all my treatments, surgeries and tests.....It actually pays for all my medical needs, including prescriptions.  When I go on Medicare (Humana) in September, my Medicaid will become my secondary.....This is a wonderful program....

I couldn't get health insurance after my heart attack, seven years ago, so the OBCP has been a godsend.

Sandy

JoyRebecca

Traci,

How's it going girl?? Are you having any luck finding anything?? Miss you here in Fl.

XX

Joy

Anonymous

My personal opinion is you should do everything possible to keep your insurance.  It is your ticket to quality and timely treatment.  Increase your deductible significantly if you must for a lower premium, but once your insurance lapse it will be years if ever if you will be able to get it again in many States.  And in those that require States to provide it and cover a preexisting condition, I would assume at that point the insurance will be incredibly expensive.  Insurers in most states CAN NOT raise premiums at will if they are subject to State Laws, which generally require approval by the Insurance Commissioner.  

Anonymous

Traci,  the only thing I can think to suggest is to find a job that offers insurance.  Since you've had a break in insurance you will probably be hit with the exclusion clause for a year but its a start to getting long term health insurance that you really need.  In the meantime, pay the premium to get the insurance and see if you can get assistance from a financial aid program to help pay the insurance premium.  It sucks big time having to worry about getting what you need to fight a life threatening disease.

justamber

My mom has no insurance at her job but she is getting EXCELLENT treatment at JPS hospital in Fort Worth. It's all free. Cancer Care pays for her meds and transportation to & from Chemo. American Cancer society has helped with a free wig, masectomy bras, prothstetic breast. All her chemo, radiation, appointmens, surgery is all taken care of. She just has to pay a co-pay of $20.00 per visit. $100 for the surgery. I even found help for housing assistants for cancer patients through the United Way since she isn't able to work right now. Hope this helps. God Bless!

Jellydonut

Tracey,

Have you tried the Healthwell Foundation?  Their help is based on income but it's worth checking out.

http://www.healthwellfoundation.org/index.aspx

Wishing you BIG HEAPS of good luck!!

Jelly 

ps123

Try:  http://www.patientadvocate.org 

I've heard they can be helpful.

Pat

wishiwere

Geesh Traci, like you need this headache! I feel for you sweetie! What have you found out about this, have you checked into any of the programs the girls gave?  Maybe getting the help with your co-pays for scripts would bring that $100 down to zip, then it would at least be a wash till you could get some thing else worked out? 

And what about the deductible? I know with our group, we can't increase our deduct, which is $3000 for me alone currently, but dang....there has to be some way to get you to be able to keep the insurance going.  It's my biggest fear, losing insurance again!   So sorry you are dealing with this too friend!

Anonymous

When I was first diagnosed, I was living in TN and had no insurance.  I was diagnosed through a free clinic for the working poor.  Your local health department, or welfare office would have info on those.  After being diagnosed, I moved back home and the hospital where I've had my surgies, etc at had two things that benefited me while I was waiting around for the state aid: they had discount programs and a clinicial research nurse.  She was able to get me into a drug trial that got me the chemo I needed.  I was node negative, but because of this trial, I was treated like I was node positive.  I saw it as getting a stronger treatment, which I thought was a good thing.