I am screwed* Insurance Information needed please

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cherneski
cherneski Member Posts: 726
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

HI all.  Ok so I was laid off of my job in November, started Cobra then, hubby was out of work so no insurance available through him.

I just found out today that my old company closed January 29th and my insurance is no longer.  No company means NO insurance No Cobra.

I am pretty sure I make too much money to be eligible for state insurance.

Anyone knowing anything about insurance please help.

Or anyone that is willing to just say a prayer for me, please do.  I am a mess.  I was shaking so bad before I thought I was gonna have a heart attack.  Cant do that, no insurance to cover the hospital visit Tongue out

One xanex down for the day.

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited February 2010

    cherneski....i just read you are in a very stressful place.

    I dont have any Insurance Info, but I can keep you company until someone comes with answers.

    You are saying you make too much to qualify for State Aid.

    Are you working or DH is?

    Hugs and please take  a deep breath and let the Xanex to calm you. Okay!

    Sheila

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  • cherneski
    cherneski Member Posts: 726
    edited February 2010

    Sheila, Thank you my sweet.  Hubby has been out of work for a year!  We are both on unemployment.  But with both of us collecting we make too much money for state insurance.  UGGG

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  • nowords
    nowords Member Posts: 423
    edited February 2010

    Go to the NJ Family Care Web Page and scroll through for eligibility information. It is income based not asset based. Adults usually have a 3 month waiting period where they have to have no insurance - but there are exceptions-your company going out of business is one.

    There is a sliding scale that you pay too if that is applicable.

    If you prefer phone info it is 1-800-701-0710.

    I wish I had more information to help you.

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  • cherneski
    cherneski Member Posts: 726
    edited February 2010

    Calling now.

    Thank you!

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  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 2,637
    edited February 2010

    Cherneski, Not versed enough in insurance to help.  Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and hope this works out. 

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  • cherneski
    cherneski Member Posts: 726
    edited February 2010

    OK found out the kids should be able to be covered, but pretty sure I wont be able too, as we make too much money.  BLAHHHHHHHHHHH

    I am filling out the application and will call first thing in the morning to speak to a human and ask a ton of questions.  Like will the onc. be covered because it is pre-existing?  All I can think is THANK YOU GOD  that at least it happened after TX is over.  Recon can wait, but I still NEED insurance.  I dont want to sell my house and live in a dump just to be able to pay for a private policy.

    Love you all, the xanex is kicking in.

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited February 2010

    This is why we need National Health Insurance.

     It's ridiculous these situations persist for Americans!Frown

    Hoping for you,

    Tender

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited February 2010

    Deb,

    Glad there is somebody you can talk to about this.  Keep me posted on this as like I said on facebook, I could be in the same boat here any month.  Not sure how long the company I worked for is going to last.

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2010

    Sorry...... I really don't know much about insurance at all.  But....... wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you (((HUGS))).

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited February 2010

    Deb...I wish I had some answers.....I would call the insurance board and see what rights you have regarding the insurance....I would think that the insurance company should be able to continue the COBRA even if your former company is kaput.  But then again what do I know.....sending you a big ((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))....Karen

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited February 2010

    Good Luck tomorrow Deb.

    SheilaSmile

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited February 2010

    In my state (Tennessee), the fact that I am an underinsured woman with breast cancer made me eligible for Medicaid. There is a  speacial category for breast and cervical cancer patients.

    read here for more info: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidSpecialCovCond/02_BreastandCervicalCancer_PreventionandTreatment.asp

    or google " medicaid eligibility breast cancer"

    Good luck! 

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  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 2,466
    edited February 2010

    Hi, just thought I'd chime in to see if my experience could help any?

    I had first cancer (IDCIS) in 2001, lumpectomy and radiation and tamoxifen.  We had NO insurance.  I had to call the hospital and work out a payment arrangement.  Most hospitals are very willing to work with you, but you must ask.  I told them what i could afford, tops per month.  They OKd it and I have been paying of off, faithfully, each month, for 7 years.  We still owe. 

    Now this might seem extreme, but the bill was  26,000.  And they gave us a hard luck discount.  My point here is that it can be done, but you do have to initiate the discussion and you do have to ask.  At least in CT, anyway. 

    Good luck!  This takes forever, but your credit will be OK and you will keep your home.

    xoxo

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited February 2010

    http://www.lsnjlaw.org/english/healthcare/medicaid/bccancer/

    This gives the income limit and additional info about Medicaid for breast cancer patients specific to New Jersey

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  • SoCalDawn
    SoCalDawn Member Posts: 51
    edited February 2010

    Hi Cherneski,

    In addition to the resources mentioned above, you may also want to contact your local health underwriters association and locate a high quality insurance agent in your area who can help you source what your options both in community or other programs as well as private insurance now as well as in the future. They should also be able to guide you on the Cobra issue. It is important to find someone familiar with your state laws and licensed in your state. Those that are members of these associations tend to be the more experienced agents and involved in the community vs fly-by-night just-got-licensed-and-need-to-sell something. Sometimes there are risk pools that can be accessed when free-market solutions are not viable. Here is a link http://www.njahu.org/

     Wishing you all the best!

    Dawn

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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited February 2010

    I am so sorry and know how hard it is to have no insurance with serious medical issues since we were in that position before ourselves.  In Colorado we have "CoverColorado" where you can get insurance for people who are "non-insurable".  You may want to call your state insurance commisoner ofice and they can direct you to tell you if you have a similar situation as well.  I think most states have something available.  Ours can be expensive, like COBRA, but if you are lowewr income, you pay lower premiums, and they have different levels of coverage available as well.

    Also,, the social worker at the hospital was a great help at the hospital when we had insurance issues when my husband was on the transplant list.  Try to contact them, which is free. They know of great resources.

    I know his lab work was over $700 each month and the hospital also adjusted it down becuase of lack of insurance and would let us go on payment plans. It may take a few calls, but I can't believe there isn't some way you can at least get reduced fees or go on sliding scale if you can't get insured.

    Hang in there! 

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited February 2010
    ((( Cherniski ))) what a scarey place to be!  I don't know about insurance but I found a site www.needymeds.org that lists assistance programs by disease or medications.  It is a start especially if you are on several prescription meds.  
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  • janincanada
    janincanada Member Posts: 258
    edited February 2010

    Cherniski.  I can't offer any advice since I'm Canadian and don't have any experience with US medical insurance.  All I can do is send you good vibrations and positive thoughts that you will find a solution. Thinking of you and hoping that one of the suggestions above will work for you!

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited February 2010

    debi

    hospitals and medical offices often times have low cost for people without insurance and often times will set up payment schedules thaqt you can afford.  sometimes, there are groups out there that help with costs; i know i have seen advertisements in Cure magazine. i will do some reaserch and see if i can find anything out for you.

    you will get what you need. there are ways for you to get your treatment. hang in there***

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2010

    All I can say is move to Canada.

    I don't want to get political here, but for you to be faced with this is terrible.

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  • victoriasecret
    victoriasecret Member Posts: 333
    edited February 2010

    Oh Deb thats CRAP !!

    ml C

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  • cherneski
    cherneski Member Posts: 726
    edited February 2010

    Kerry, My husband has been talking to me about moving to Canada for about 2 years now.  Right now he is set, we are moving!  He is so upset. He just wants me to be ok and seeing me the way I was yesterday tore his heart out. Once again I was losing it and there is nothing he can do.  Sucks.

    I just started funtioning today at noon.  Wow, just a little late, I am wiped out from freaking out so bad.  I dont think I ever shook so bad in my life, including when I was told I had cancer.  

    Thank you all so much.  Off to the phone I go.

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