Short term disability and life ins....so frustrated right now!

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jennyboog
jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I'm so frustrated right now with this whole life ins. and short term disability mess.  My husband recently retired from the Army so I lost my life ins. and work just recently added short term disability as a benefit.  Due to my pre-exisitng condition I either don't qualify or I pay more or I have an elimination period for coverage or a combination.  I've been dealing with this since last week....looking at different plans, trying to get coverage elsewhere.  Why don't they just say it...."we can't cover you because you will die and cost us", seriously do they know something we don't.  I mean I get it and understand why...I'm a risk but 10 yrs before they will consider me is a bit much.  Some of this stuff I didn't even think I'd need (naive) then I was dx at 34 now I can't get any.  Ok, all done, venting complete, thanks for listening....just makes me so angry.

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited June 2013

    Jenny,

    I know it's frustrating. My company just started offering LTD and they turned me down. IMO, it's not so much that they see us as high risk but it's more to do with the fact that they cherry pick where they can to get the lowest risk pool possible. I think our best bet is the insurance exchanges when they open, since they are not allowed to turn people down or charge you more. I'm sorry I don't have a better answer.

    Bobbie



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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited June 2013

    The exchanges won't help with disability or life insurance. It is strictly health insurance.

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  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
    edited June 2013

    I think you can get into life and disability insurance if you work for a larger employer that can get group coverage without any proof of insurability. I know that's how it is where I work.

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited June 2013

    Thanks everyone, I just had to vent to others that are going through the same things...no one I work with is/has this problem.  I work for the federal govt. so the large company isn't the problem, they have never offered STD.  Now they offer STD but only if you are a union member and then the elimination period is 2 yrs because I'm on Aromasin.  It's not cheap with the union dues I'll have to pay, I'm just not sure if it's worth the money and a 2yr wait but I guess I'll have no choice. I started looking through private companies and have been denied by all of them, not to mention the life ins. battle which I've been denied for too.  I know there are others in worse shape than me and I feel bad complaining.  Moral of the story take all the coverage you can get no matter what age or health your in because it CAN happen to you.  Thanks again for being here. 

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  • kindone
    kindone Member Posts: 523
    edited June 2013

    Jenny,  I've had the same problem, I can't get life insurance, not even from private companies.  I even tried

    AARP.  I am still on Aromison, and I am 5 1/2 yrs out.  Good Luck! 

    Betty

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  • riverhorse
    riverhorse Member Posts: 126
    edited June 2013

    I too worked for the federal government and still have my health insurance through the government.  After retiring a federal employee can keep the insurance at the same premium.   My husband is also retired from the Army.  Although we did not elect to use it, Tri-care is available for retired military.   All the time I workd for the feds (20 years) I never heard that one needed to pay union dues to get federal benefits.  Regarding STD -- I really don't know, but I do know that the feds have a sick leave bank that employees can draw from when they have extended absences due to illness.  Maybe the STD is only a union benefit. 

    You might want to check with the appropriate person in your agency who deals with benefits.   Oh I too am on Aromasin and it is now generic and I do not pay much. 

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  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
    edited June 2013

    It could be state rather than federal government. This type of underwriting is more common in long term care at the group level than with STD or Life. Very unusual.

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