Who can help me with insurance?

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited December 2017 in Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
Who can help me with insurance?
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  • waytooanxiousmommy
    waytooanxiousmommy Member Posts: 144
    edited November 2017

    I am currently paying $800/month for health insurance through COBRA. Obamacare top of the line plan is $450/month but I don't understand which will net out better for me. Are there people who help with issues like these? Should I call the American Cancer society?

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited November 2017

    Perhaps your clinic has a social worker/financial counselor who would be able to analyze your options. The local ACS office may have resources to recommend, perhaps a volunteer with expertise in this area. Good luck!

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  • NewbieAnn
    NewbieAnn Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2017

    I'm self-employed. My doctor's office helped me choose a provider on Healthfinder (ACA). They were very clear in providing examples of why the other companies weren't the best choice. I ran the numbers and chose a silver plan. Mention your insurance plan to ALL providers and check that labs and other providers are in network. Both my primary care physician and the surgeon's office are aware to avoid out of network providers. If an out of network provider is used, ask about a cash discount. Some are only 10 percent, but 40 percent or even 55 percent can be found.

    Note that a change from your COBRA to an ACA plan could mean a change in doctors, hospitals, labs....

    I was diagnosed in October and go time will be January 2 (new insurance plan, new high deductible). Warned that January will be busy and approvals from the insurance company will be slow. Hang in there. I've found friends are supportive of the battle with insurance.

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  • waytooanxiousmommy
    waytooanxiousmommy Member Posts: 144
    edited December 2017

    Thanks NewbieAnn. My hospital person said that they don't take any Obamacare plans. Its a highly reputable cancer center in a big city. Very disappointing. If you get sick in this country vs Canada, Europe or Australia you are SOL and how many people get through life without having at least one major illness or a loved one with a major illness?

    IMHO it might be somewhat better for us Cancer patients. All those people with Opiod addictions are dying and there is hardly any treatment available for them even if they have insurance.

    I am 47 years old, I have no family in this country, I am divorced from someone who was serially cheating on me. Parted from him after a lot of therapy work and our parting and relationship as parents is healthy. Paid for all the therapy our of pocket. I never smoked or drank and was reasonably active, didn't eat badly, laid off from my job after I made a sexual harassment complaint on behalf of a young woman who reported to me, My boss was being inappropriate with her. I didn't do well on interviews after the layoff and my therapist said it was because I was traumatized after the bad experience at my last place and yes I think she was right. I was just starting to get over that when I was prescribed 5 months of chemo, surgery and radiation and told I should not start a new job now.

    I lived carefully and had a lot of savings which is the only reason I am still okay right now. Being out of work for so long as with chemo will deplete majority of my savings. I'm sad and I really wish I didn't have to worry about a high COBRA premium right now. Ironically I am not job hunting and companies reach out to me a lot and I have to say I can't work right now :(

    Sorry. I am not the only one with troubles but sometimes I do feel that I am only human and trying to do my best and its overwhelming. I know I sound like a wet blanket and while I have cried a lot from my losses truth be told I am thankful and I feel centered and happy most of the time. I am loved and I am supported, I have my kids, my cats and I am strong and also well qualified to go back to work.

    I hope I have it in me to survive. Cancer is tough on all of us and I know I am not alone here.

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