I just got laid off

ADK

Oh, man - I will soon be 54 and I was laid off from a company I had been with for 12 years.  One thing this company has is that employees between 52 and 55 who are laid off who have at least 5 years of service can continue COBRA until they are 65 at the company group rate.  Is this just a nicety from them or is it governed by a specific law?  Does anyone know?  I am not sure if I am going to be able to find another job in this industry at my age and being a BC survivor (dx in 2006), I am thinking that this might have to be our insurance until 65.  Any input?

flash

the best person to accurately answer that is the massachusetts insurance commissiioner.  You need to get documentation from that office so if anything goes wrong, you have back up with the commissioner to create a solution.

mrsnjband

Usually, you only get 18 months of Cobra and most aren't at the group rate.  It is usually at least 25% higher rate.  At the rates I pay for "group" rate would make it impossible to afford.  I think I would get it in writing too! NJ

ADK

I have it in writing.  I was just wondering if this was being forced on them or if it was a benefit specific to them.  You are right, Flash, the insurance commission would know. 

coonie

Hi Anne

I have no insight to offer, but just wanted to say hi and send you a hug or two or three or four....

I've heard so many stories the same as yours. Just this past week there have been 2 businesses close and laying off a total of 400+ employees in our area.

Things have just got to get better!!!! ((((Hugs Galore))))

ADK

Thanks Coonie - ((((back atcha))))

jenn-g

Anne,

When I got laid off, I did have the opportunity for COBRA coverage for 18 months. I could only afford it for the 1st year. Rates for me were too high. But I am in Florida and I don't know how things vary from state to state. As far as financial help.....I know nationally Unemployment is being cut, but if you can ....apply as soon as possible. Considering your employer has probably been paying into that fund and you deserve that protection right now.

And with your health concerns, you can attempt to contact your insurance company, explain your situation and ask what individual rates are vs. group rates are available, and see if there is a coverage that would be helpful to you and better financially suited for you. If you don't just get the "automated" system.

I am not one to run to others and expect others to always help me, (that is a big down fall for me, i don't know how to ask for help) But don't be like me. You have enough stress and there is no reason you can't have help when you need it. So, if you need to apply for medicaid, or early medicare....there are options available for you to be able to do this because of your certain situation and health reasons. If that is a route that you are considering, I would apply as soon as possible, as well.

You probably have a local county family services officer that can help you and give you all of the options available to you, (regarding your situation and the state in which you reside.) You may have many alternatives to help you through this and not even know it. Or maybe have many places that can help point you in the right direction.

But the best thing ever, is....... there are many organizations that give grants to women such as yourself. (for household use, to pay bills, medical expenses, etc.) and there are many organizations that help BC patients and BC survivors continue their life as best as possible and help them financially. (i am not talking about the big ones that don't seem to help at all) I am talking about the one's that were started "by women for women". If you need information regarding some of these organizations, let me know and I will help you get in touch with some small groups that reach out in a really BIG way. I wish you the best of luck and send you tons of warm thoughts. 

sincerely,

jenn 

Susie123

Hi Anne,

I know a couple of people who lost their jobs and were offered cobra for only 18 months, that was the minimal amount of time required by law. They had to pay alot higher premium on cobra, not the regular company group rate, so it sounds like the company you worked for is a litter better than theirs. I'm sorry that you lost your job, that stinks. I work for a company that's not financially stable so I look to be in your shoes at anytime. I'm 50 years old, so I feel your pain. Hang in there. Susie

hymil

Oh Anne, Just what you don't need, I am so sorry - but lots of us are in the same boat or can see it heading straight for us. I can't advise on US insurance issues but I've done a lot of thinking about the implications of possible job loss/change recently. I'm sure you are much more employable than you think although maybe not in the way you currently expect. In the UK companies over a certain size have to seriously consider offering suitable alternative employment if you become disabled to do your main job, before they can do this to you, obviously a very small firm can't be expected to do that. Defintiely get local legal advice. Apparently the chinese character for a Crisis combines the symbols for a problem and an opportunity, so look to see what could be the opportunity for you in this awful situation? What would you like to spend the next few years doing, if you had free choice and it would pay the bills?

ADK

Thank you everyone for the support - I had been laid off previously in the 90's and I couldn't find a full time job for a year and had to take a 1/3 pay cut when I did get one.  At least the last time I was laid off, I had a lot of notice and was actually paid a retention bonus for staying to see everything through to the end.  This time, I was called up to a meeting in HR and escorted out of the building.  What an awful way to do it.  I am okay financially for a while, but, based upon prior experience and being 15 years older, the prospects don't look good, and when you add in the state of the economy, it looks downright dire.  But you are right, hymil, it is an opportunity as well.  It's possible that this could be a good thing for me, but right now, I am sad, angry and totally at sea.  I can't make the smallest decisions.  I know it's only been a few days and I hope I can get myself in gear, but man, this stinks. 

coonie

Good morning Anne!

I was just thinking about you and wanted to send big hugs!!

Hope maybe you can enjoy a little time off? Pamper yourself and enjoy a little free time.

I'm still praying things work out. I'm sure they will. But maybe you can enjoy the holidays and start the new year hitting the pavement:)

(((Anne)))

Medigal

ADK:  Goodness, your post brought back some sad memories when my DP's company laid off an entire group of the guys in their 50's.  The men knew it was age discrimination and they were going to hire younger men at half the salaries and also these laid off would not be able to get full pensions at 65.  The company was concerned the men would file suit so got them to sign a waiver agreeing not to sue.  When DP called me, I told him to insist he wouldn't sue IF they agreed he could stay on their group plan.  We have a DD with a chronic illness and I knew we desperately needed the medical benefits.  The company agreed to his demand and he lost his job of over 17 years and didn't get the pension we were planning on but the medical was kept.

However, once we reached 65 (thank goodness for Medicare) our DD was working and had her own medical so we switched to Medicare Advantage which was much cheaper for us than the company group plan.  He is still offered their group plan every year due to the committment they made but we thankfully no longer need it.  That COBRA you were offered is better than nothing but it will cost you a fortune especially if you have problems (in this economy) finding another job.

The government healthcare Bill is in a mess now but some months ago I called our state's insurance commissioner and found out they (due to the Healthcare Bill) had to start a State plan for High Risk people.  I went on the internet for my state and was able to pull up the rates and they were much cheaper than what COBRA would be.  I don't know what is going on now that the Healthcare Bill can be in the hands of the Republicans soon but you might want to check on it.  Hold on to your former company's COBRA because the government was helping low income people pay for it some months ago.  I don't know if they are still doing it.  So much as changed.

If you can find out that your company laid off a group of people in the same age group, it might come under age discrimination and maybe you can use this to get them to allow you to stay on their regular group plan.  I have noticed that companies have a rackett of getting rid of employees who are making a higher salary so they can hire younger people at cheaper pay and also keep from paying higher pensions to employees who have several years with the company.  This is just my opinion from what I have noticed happening in our country today.  I don't know if there is any protection for the employees in these instances.  My DP lucked out that his  group were all cut on the same day and may have gotten together to sue if medical wasn't given.  Do not know what your company would do in the same instance.  Best of luck to you!

ADK

Thanks again for the good wishes and advice.  Medigal - that's interesting that there is a precedent for what my company is offering, even though your DP had to negotiate it on his own.  I am pretty sure the intent of the layoff was to get rid of the more "expensive" employees - those who not only cost more in salary, but also because they are older, also cost in health benefits.  Even though I have a HMO, I know that the company sets the co-pays and if I have an MRI, it does cost them some.  They are quasi-self insured.

I do plan on enjoying the holidays - actually, even though on the surface this seems like such a bad time of year to be laid off, it gives me more time when I need it most - it's easier to distract yourself from feeling sorry for yourself when there is so much to do for the holidays.  January will be a different story.

HantaYo

Namaste!

Anne:  Sorry that you lost your job.  I can understand.  I lost mine this year too.  I ran out of Family Medical Leave before my Doctors were  willing to release me to return to full duty.  I am a nurse in patient care and for those of us in that situation the system WILL NOT let us come back to light duty.  They say "There is no light duty for nurses" and one must be able to lift 50# frequently and 100# occassionally (as if I could do this on a good day, ha ha). Anyway, I had to switch to COBRA coverage.  Same insurance as I had but it costs me $501.00 more per month. This is just for my own single individual coverage.  And it will only last for 18 months.  It has an annual $3500 deductible in network and $7000 deductible for out of network.  It makes it difficult when one does not have a job. 

Karla

Kitchenwitch

ADK there is a COBRA subsidy that pays 65% of the monthly premium but it's only for a certain number of months (can't remember how many) We found COBRA very affordble - the govt. was basically paying what my husband's employer paid, and we just paid about what we had always paid.

When you are on COBRA there is an additional 2% in maintenance fees because the company is sort of doing you a favor by letting you pay for benefits through them.

Some state plans will not let you on if you are eligible for COBRA. sort of sucks bc when that subsidy is out, COBRA is very expensive. But the thing is, you don't want to be without coverage. Makes it harder to get coverage (except through another employer).

Best wishes! 

lauri

I think the COBRA subsidy only applied to people laid off in a certain timespan (around 2008-2009) -- don't know if it got extended.  Didn't get to check because it also didn't apply if you were eligible for Medicare (I was already 65)

MaryNY

Lauri is right, the COBRA subsidy only applies to people laid off in a certain timespan -- through May 2010:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides a COBRA premium reduction for eligible individuals who are involuntarily terminated from employment through the end of May 2010. Due to the statutory sunset, the COBRA premium reduction under ARRA is not available for individuals who experience involuntary terminations after May 31, 2010. However, individuals who qualified on or before May 31, 2010 may continue to pay reduced premiums for up to 15 months, as long as they are not eligible for another group health plan or Medicare. 

ADK

Hi All,

I haven't been on the boards in a long time, but I thought I would update you.  After 10 1/2 months of sending out resumes, going on a few interviews and not hearing back, the last few weeks have been crazy for me - I received an offer to work as a consultant for two months at the company that laid me off last December.  I accepted that offer and started there on the 10th of October.  They told me that the job would probably last until March of 2012.  On the 13th of October, I was offered a full time position from an interview back in August and it also is at the company that laid me off last December.  So, I have been working for the past two weeks as a consultant and will work the next two weeks as a consultant in one area then, I will go full time with the company on the 7th of November in a diffferent area.  It's been a strange ride for the last year and now, I will be right back where I started - same level and slightly higher salary. 

I hope this gives hope to others who are going through this.  Never close any doors.

Moderators

Anne, thank you for sharing your happy resolution! And what a good lesson of hope, and leaving those doors open.

Judith and the Mods

leaf

What great news, ADK. One doc I have said, "When you get to a certain age, you don't work for the pay, you work for the benefits."

Blinx

ADK, that DOES give me hope. I was laid off in December. My company had a similar benefit -- if you were laid off at 49 years old and had completed 9 years, you could pay into benefits until you were 65. It's not COBRA, and not the COBRA premium.

I'm paying more than I did as an employee, but it is reasonable for very good coverage. I think I will continue it if/when I get another job with benefits. Just the fact that I can never lose it gives me a great sense of security.