My employer is canceling our health insurance!!!!

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msc209
msc209 Member Posts: 23
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

HELP! I found out my employer is dropping our health insurance at the end of the month. I live in FL. Does anyone know what my rights are? Can the insurance company (UHC) drop me when I just started treatment (had 4 rad treatments, need 33 more & tamoxifin 5 yrs )? I am freaking out. 

I posted this somewhere else on this site and another person said to start this thread. I need help. I am single. I am making 1/5th what I used to make 2 yrs ago and have been living off my retirement savings. That's dwindling.

As I said before..bad enough I have cancer..worse..I have to ^%#%@!! pay for it.

I can't. .

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  • marlenet
    marlenet Member Posts: 345
    edited September 2009

    Paying for Treatment Without Insurance

    • I found this.  It might help

    Question: I don't have health insurance. How will I pay for breast cancer treatment?

    Answer: Several government and private organizations help people without medical insurance to pay for treatment:

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  • msc209
    msc209 Member Posts: 23
    edited September 2009

    Thank you. I'll ty that.

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  • AmyIsStrong
    AmyIsStrong Member Posts: 1,755
    edited September 2009

    Will your company offer COBRA?  It is federally mandated for certain sized companies to do so.  I would call my local Department of Labor and find out. If so, you will be able to buy the same converage to continue for 18 months.  That is what I am doing currently and it is working out very well. Also, our state has a pool of coverage available for people like us who cannot get traditional coverage on the open market.  You may want to look into that.

    Good luck.

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  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited September 2009

    Michele,

    Every state has an insurance commisioner office that knows your rights - both federal and in your state.  Google "State Insurance Commisioner" - you'll find all states listed and a phone number and a website for Florida.  

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited September 2009

    Michele ~  Another member here has put together an incredibly comprehensive list of resources for bc dx & tx, including many regional, state and local agencies and programs. 

    http://bb67.wikispaces.com/

    So sorry you're facing such a scary situation, but hopefully they'll be some resources on this list that can plug any gap for you.

    Deanna

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  • lovinmomma
    lovinmomma Member Posts: 1,879
    edited September 2009

    The state all have a Breast and Cervical cancer insurance that you can get if your income is the right level and you do not have other insurance. i would check into that.

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  • msc209
    msc209 Member Posts: 23
    edited September 2009

    Thank you all so so much.. Of course today was my busiest day in the store...I'm going home. I'll be back on soon.. I'll let you know what I find out..I guess Tuesday.

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  • AnnNYC
    AnnNYC Member Posts: 4,484
    edited September 2009

    Definitely call the state insurance commissioner's office.

    lovinmomma, do you mean the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) ?  Unfortunately, I think a woman is only covered for treatment if her breast or cervical cancer was diagnosed through the free screening offered by that program.  I don't think you can "sign up" for covered treatment if you were diagnosed already.  Michele, maybe Florida offers a little more than some other states, so maybe you could check that link anyway.

    lovinmomma, if this is not the program you meant, do you have some information about the program you do mean?  Thanks!

    Michele, I did a little googling -- there is something in Florida called "CoverFlorida" -- it says "people who are losing their employer-sponsored health insurance" are eligible. It was organized by the state government but is administered by private companies.  I don't know if this would be an affordable option for you, but here are a few links about it:

    http://www.coverfloridahealthcare.com/

    http://www.dos.state.fl.us/cover-florida.cfm 

    http://www.floridahealthinsurance.com/coverflorida/index.html (that last link is the webpage of an insurance agent -- but maybe you can get information about the program there)

    I'm really sorry you are faced with this -- hope you can get something worked out.

    Hugs, Ann

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