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Politics : View from the Center and Left -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ilaine who wrote (51971)	3/5/2008 10:38:37 PM
From: wonk	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 542192

You have to understand the basics here. The starting point is the difference between HIPAA and COBRA. COBRA in short is a program which allows one to maintain coverage on a employer provided or other group plan, if employment is terminated. HIPAA is the "portability" component. That is if you can demonstrate "continuous coverage" - no break in insurance coverage longer than 60 days, then insurers cannot deny you coverage for pre-existing conditions. er.hipaaps.com However, there is nothing in the law which discusses rates. So for example, lets say your COBRA eligibility is expiring, while a health insurance provider cannot deny you coverage, the charges are steep. Thus, while there is no de jure denial, there is often de facto denial. The 2005 Kaiser HIPAA Rate in Virginia for a family of 3 with the primary being between 50-54 was $2253 / month on the highest co-pay. For the math challenged, thats $27,000 per year...and that was 3 years ago. Google it now. ww

To: Ilaine who wrote (51971)	3/6/2008 3:21:44 AM
From: Cogito	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 542192

>>Allen, are you "uninsurable" per se, or is there a waiting period for coverage of pre-existing conditions?<< Ilaine - It was explained to me that if I were to have no recurrence of cancer within a certain period, which varies by carrier, I would once again become eligible to purchase insurance. But as it stands, yes, they consider me uninsurable, per se. Unless I get coverage under some kind of open enrollment plan, by getting a job with a company that offers health benefits, I wouldn't be able to get any kind of coverage. But I have to do that before my current CalCOBRA eligibility ends. If there is any gap in coverage, I won't even be able to get in on open enrollment. And of course, I don't qualify for Medicaid (yet) because I still have some income and some assets. Unfortunately, my period of uninsurability just got longer, because the PET scan I had today for my one year checkup revealed a small tumor on my liver. I'm going to have to go back to Cedars for another surgery, followed by another course of chemo. The insurance company really isn't going to be eager to retain my business after this. I may be forced to marry my Canadian girlfriend. (Not that I'd mind that.) - Allen