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MaryNY
MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
edited June 2014 in Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests

There doesn't seem to be anywhere appropriate to post questions on financial concerns - health insurance, COBRA, medication costs, etc. Maybe this could be added as a topic to Day to Day Matters. Or maybe a forum for "unemployed with breast cancer" under Support & Community Connections.

I would like to post a question about my COBRA coverage, which will expire in two months, but can't see an appropriate forum or topic for that.

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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited August 2010

    HI

    thank God i dont need financial help(yet) but what i do need is transportation help.does anywone know how to go about this??????i am so tired of asking family and friends to drive me to drs and hospitals and i know there is help out there I JUST DONT KNOW WHERE TO GO.

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited August 2010

    Grannydukes: I'm not sure, but maybe the local branch of the American Cancer Society could direct you. Or if you are getting treatments in a hospital setting, maybe they have a list of volunteer drivers. If you tell us what state you're in, maybe someone can suggest some local resources.

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited August 2010

    Grannydukes: I was in my local Gilda's Club today and picked up a leaflet "Road to Recovery—Transportation Help for People with Cancer."

    What is Road to Recovery?

    Every day thousands of cancer patients need a ride to treatment, but some may not have a way to get there.

    The American Cancer Society Road to Recovery program provides transportation to and from treatment for people who have cancer who do not have a ride or are unable to drive themselves. Volunteer drivers donate their time and the use of their cars so that patients can receive the life-saving treatments they need.

    Call 1-800-227-2345 to find out if Road to Recovery is available in your community.

    There is probably a local ACS number, but someone at the 800 number should be able to direct you.

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  • Medigal
    Medigal Member Posts: 1,412
    edited August 2010

    MaryNY:  If your COBRA coverage is expiring soon, you really need to call your local Senator's office and ask them if there is a new insurance (under the "great" Obama Health Reform Plan) which provides some type of insurance for people in your position.  I don't know what your financial resources are but if you don't qualify for Medicaid and it sounds like you are not old enough for Medicare, there should be something out there for you to be able to get insurance until you find another job and can become employer insured.

    This was one of the issues I fought about with my senators and reps in Washington when they were considering this so called "Health Reform".  I told them they had to have something available for people like yourself who are caught in this hellish no-job market and need insurance!  I was told all states should have High Risk Pools for people in these positions.  So I would contact my senator's office locally and get them to tell you what your options are.  You can also call your local insurance commissioner's office and explain your position to them and they can tell you what your options are.  Whatever you do, you do know that if you go for a certain period uninsured, you loose your very important "pre-existing waiver" which can be very costly if and when you do get reemployed.  So keep yourself insured by whatever means is available to you.

    BTW, some COBRA coverage allows you to buy another certain amount of months to add to what you originally have but you need to inform them you want the additional coverage and you have to have the financial resources to pay for the extra coverage. So, I would check to see if I have used up all the additional COBRA I can purchase, if so, call the Insurance Commissioner's Office and lastly the Senator. Best of luck to you!  This is a frightening position to be in when you have a pre-existing disease.  

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited August 2010

    Medigal: yes, my COBRA expired last month so needed something starting this month so there would be no lapse. I contacted my local congresswoman's office but the NY High Risk Plan (PCIP) is not available yet. I qualified for a low-cost NYS health insurace plan called HealthyNY so I'm now enrolled in that. I posted about this in the new Forum: Insurance and Other Financial Issues.

    My COBRA was limited to 18 months as my ex-employer was self-insured. If they had been fully insured, I would have be eligible for an additional 18 months.

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  • Medigal
    Medigal Member Posts: 1,412
    edited August 2010
    MaryNY:  So glad you went ahead and got into the HealthyNY plan!!  Good for you!  The idea is to just stay insured anyway you can.  Seems you have your ducks in a row.  You make a great "quacker"!Smile
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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited August 2010

    good for you Mary. in NY they offer a lot you just have to do your homework

    as for me the word treatment is what stops my transportation...I AM NOT IN TREATMENT AND I DONT KNOW IF IM GONNA GO INTO ANYTHING RIGHT NOW..

    thank you all my sistas for all your help.im covered for tomorrow and thats all i care about right now..one day at a time

    luv ya.God bless

    K

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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited August 2010

    HELLO EVERYONE

    I JUST READ ON FACEBOOK THAT TODAY IS WORLD CANCER DAY

    LETS PRAY TOGETHER.I PRAY FOR A CURE FOR CANCER.AMEN.GOD BLESS

    K

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