[Madame_X]

#1018812

I currently am on the Cobra subsidy and the last month for it is next month.

I am hearing no rumblings of the subsidy being extended — and even if it was, I could only be on it until May.

The premium w/o the subsidy is close to $500 and I do not have that kind of money; I am collecting unemployment and all I get is $418 a week.

What do I do? I can’t let my insurance lapse and who know when that "no discrimination against a pre existing condition" they signed into law will go into effect?

The endo himself costs $400 a visit and who has that kind of money lying around, esp if they are not working?

I could apply for insurance for a "group of 2" but who knows how long that will take?

Any advice? The job market is dead. The only ads on line through our local Monster are all ads from agencies (usually they are come on ads — you will go to the agency and you’ll be told, "Sorry but that was filled" — it’s a ruse to get you to sign up with them) and Craiglist ads are all scams.

[Bobbi]

#1067273

You are going through such a difficult time!

First, we do not "need" an endo to control our thyroid levels. Any good internist or GP can help you. Endos may be the best bet, but not at $400 a pop. Eegad. I live in one of the most expensive areas for medical coverage in the U.S. and my endo –a doctor I think is fabulous — only charges me about $100 a visit. (I know this because she dropped out of my own insurance plan a few years ago, and I made the decision to continue going to her.) Not that that helps you. But if I could not go to her, I would definitely go to my current GP, who is a very thorough, thoughtful doctor. You absolutely MUST make sure that you are getting your meds (whatever they are) and your blood tests at whatever interval is needed for your particular treatment plan for Graves.

You could try going to an independent insurance agency, and talking to them about insurance options. There may be a health cooperative close by. You might be able to buy catastrophic health insurance (i.e. one with a HUGE deductible, but one that would at least protect you in the event of some horrific health event) at a somewhat cheaper rate. If you had something like that, temporarily, until you get your financial feet back under you, the pre-existing condition issue wouldn’t come back to bite you.

Things sound completely overwhelming for you. I doubt this post is much help, but I do wish you a better day today, and tomorrow.

[Kimberly]

#1067274

Sorry you are going through all this. ” title=”Sad” /> I don’t know where you are in your treatment plan, but maybe you can check with your endo or GP about your options? Perhaps there is some sort of payment plan that they can help you with…or maybe they could hook you up with a program that would help with the cost of your meds.

Agree with Bobbi that $400 a visit is pretty pricey. I usually see a physician’s assistant who works under my endo. The full price cost is about $150, but my insurance gets it down to $90. Plus, I pay between $100 and $150 for my labs, depending on what is ordered.

Best of luck — I just started on COBRA myself. What a big, confusing mess!

[Madame_X]

#1067275

I tried AARP; not available in my state. It used to be available; apparently not anymore.

I asked about setting up a "group of 2" — forget what they are quoting me for myself and my "associate" — the lowest rate is $507 A MONTH.

I said to them "way too high; can you get me cheaper?" Reply was "if you had a younger associate then maybe yes." I asked about a rate for myself; I am sure it’s the same $500+ a month.

I got a letter from my insurance carrier on December 4 stating that the Cobra subsidy was over on November 30.

Eh, FOUR DAYS AFTER THE FACT; why was that letter not sent at the middle of October the latest? And every piece of info I had said that the subsidy ended December 1. December 1 is definitely NOT the same as November 30; it’s a "lost month".

I am only collecting $419 a week for unemployment so any price of insurance is going to cost me a very small fortune. Plus I have other bills to pay.

This is a mess and a big one. And don’t get me started about what’s happening in the unemployment world; I have done everything I could to find another job; no success.

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