Mom laid off/No Insurance

amanet17

Does anyone know of any programs that my mother can sign up for, she is a breast cancer survivor and was laid off from her company after she worked with them for 25 years. Cobra is almost 400 a month, she is 62.

thenewme

Hi amanet17,

So sorry about your mom being laid off!  What kind of programs are you looking for?  There are lots of resources here in this forum, but if you let us know her specific needs (medical? financial? social? housing? etc), I'll bet someone here will have some good advice!

Best of luck, and thanks for advocating for your mom!

Mountains1day

I would be interested to know what options are out there for people w/preexisting conditions, laid off, middle aged and need insurance desperately.  Cobra is only good for 18 months if you can afford it, then what?  Most states have programs that offer coverage but, certain criteria have to met:  1. income level  2. without insurance for at least 6 months  3. Prove you've been denied coverage.  In my state of Florida, I was told, once I meet this criteria, a policy will cost me over $1,000 per month!  We are told not to have a lapse in coverage and on the other hand, we must be without coverage for 6 months, what gives?  Not great options, thanks to federal/state government, I can not afford and may have to do without cancer treatment.  Medicare is over a decade away for me and I'm not trusting this current administrations health care reform as it has done nothing for people like me thus far.   

sheila888

Hi amanet...If you care the state you live in I'm sure we can find some links towards your mother's Ins issues.

Good Luck.

Sheila

lago

It is cheaper for her to go on cobra even at $400. When our cobra runs out the high rise pool in our state is going to cost us $700 a month per person! Also contact the American Cancer Society. They have social workers there that can help her with options.

So frustrating to think that in just 3 years she would be on medicare.

lago

Mountains1day Call up and talk to someone. I know we did and found out that you don't have to be off insurance for 6 months before you can join these pools. I think that's for people who already have no insurance. You will have to prove you were rejected by an insurance carrier though. Don't wait on this. It can day months for processing.

dlb823

amanet, you or your Mother may want to check with this program:

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/

I know they pay for breast cancer screening -- not sure what else -- but they probably know the ins & outs of getting coverage and/or treatment without adequate coverage in your state.    Deanna

Mountains1day

Thank you lago for your reply.  I may be able to get insurance w/my husbands employer but they will charge over $1,000 just for me.  If they won't cover my pre-existing, and I qualify for the state pools, they will charge over $1,000 as well.  How do people afford this!

Shrek4

I think it depends on the state. I was on Cobra (BCBS) for quite a while before I got diagnosed, and with a low income, the $400+ a month was a hassle, then I realized I couldnt' pay that AND the co-pay. Oklahoma has a special program for women on low income with breast cancer, the only qualification besides the breast cancer is the low income. It's a type of Medicare. I agree with the other ladies, try and call the American Cancer society. They are really good in finding options for you.