As of April 30, I will no longer have health insurance, my “COBRA” ends. I thought I would be able to get something through Obomacare, but with out my income, we don’t qualify for any of the plans. I am really scared. I have applied for disability, but am now waiting on a hearing, my attorney says that could be 8 mt to a year away. She also said I had to have coverage in the gap so that the pre-existing conditions would still be covered. Any advice?
Hi TJ, I have been there and it is scary. Have you applied for Medicaid or whatever the welfare system health insurance is called where you live? I didn’t qualify due to our income, but luckily my disability was approved from my work plan. I pray you can find something to cover you or that you are approved for your disability.
Try calling an independent insurance agent. They have plans too that are more affordable than Obamacare! We got a great plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield. Also for your medications talk to your doctor as the pharmaceutical companies have programs for free meds for uninsured individuals. Act now before you get in a real bind because it takes about a month to get everything going. If your doctor won’t help you can call or email the maker of your brands yourself. They really will help you. Also, you may want to consider getting a disability attorney to help get your disability faster. Take care!
In the current market, sometimes no matter what you try, you won’t be able to obtain health insurance at any price. However, starting in 2014, one provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – the healthcare reform law enacted in March 2010 – will prevent health insurers from discriminating against subscribers with preexisting conditions.
While that doesn’t solve the problem for those who can’t afford or can’t find health insurance coverage now, at least there’s hope that solutions are on the way.
Hi, there is alot of misunderstanding about Obamacare. You don’t need to “qualify” and you can’t be turned down. My friend had been told she didn’t “qualify” by an insurance rep and I walked her through the process and she now has insurance. I am relying on Obamacare myself as I am currently unemployed and couldn’t afford Cobra . There are a variety of plans at all different price ranges so everyone can afford something. The tax credit you get (based on income) with help bring down the premium cost. For people like us with a chronic disease that requires lots of doctor visits, find a plan with a low deductible and low copays.
I doubt you can find an affordable plan by contacting an insurance company directly-as soon as they know you have lupus they will stick you with the most expensive plan they can. That’s what Obamacare is for, providing affordable insurance for everyone.
Did you go to the affordable care act website (www.healthcare.gov) to apply? There are sites posing as affordable care sites but they’re sponsored by a particular company and will steer you towards their plans ($$$$). Insurance companies are not your friend.
I’ll be glad to help you navigate it if you want.
Good luck and don’t get discouraged!
Barb
I’m sorry to hear what you’re going through. I’m facing some of the same issues. I thought the Affordable Care Act already prevented insurance companies from discriminating against folks with pre-existing conditions. Maybe I’m wrong though. Hang in there I hope something works out for you soon.
Hi again, I just checked and it’s true that they cannot deny you coverage for pre-existing condition currently under the Affordable Care Act. If you want more information go to healthcare.gov
The Affordable Care Act prevents insurance companies from denying you coverage due to a preexisting condition, but they can still stick you with a horribly expensive plan. A plan through the Affordable Care Act doesn’t even know what conditions you have and doesn’t ask and has plans at levels that anyone can afford something.
Here is some information about Texas:
LOW-INCOME
Medicaid coverage is available to low-income families with children, pregnant women, the medically needy, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. For more information on Medicaid in Texas, call the Texas Department of Health (800) ■■■■■■■■.
Low-income children are also eligible for Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which offers medical services for free or subsidized fees. More information is available by visiting their website or by calling (800) ■■■■■■■■.
Here is a link to the page: :http://voices.yahoo.com/texas-offers-limited-health-insurance-coverage-for-34131.html
I hope this helps. If you have NO income, then you should qualify for help..Let us know what happens.
Wow, thank you all for your responses! I have applied on the marketplace website and this is the response I received - “Based on the information you provided, the new federal health care law provides that you could be eligible for free or low cost health care through Medicaid. However, the state of TX has chosen not to offer you this new health care coverage at this time.
You are not required to pay a penalty for not having health insurance because of your income and because the state of TX declined to expand Medicaid to cover individuals in your situation”.
I plan to contact a representative that specializes in applying on marketplace to be sure I filled out the application properly…but I am discouraged to say the least.
Thank you Susanjs! I will check that out.
Since you will sooner or later have will have disability, you do qualify for Medicaid and SSI. You need to get an attorney to help you out right away. The state "can't" refuse Medicaid either since it's subsidized by the federal government. I was in a pain management class and my study partner was qualified for disability, SSI and Medicaid plus belongs to KP here (CA) that manages her plan. There are two KP hospitals in Texas, one in Dallas and one in Hurst. Call them they should be able to help and remember that with KP, the squeaky wheel gets oiled. Probably is the case with most health plans.
You got to hold on!
I thought there was plans on Obamacare that will help you pay for your premium. Your state may have a catastrophic plan you may be able to qualify for. I paid a $700/mo for a Cobra plan, filed for disability & it took 2 yrs to qualify for Medicare. I checked into Medicaid but it's hard to qualify for. Check out Kaiser, Cigna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Even with Medicare & a supplement plan it's so expensive. Good Luck I'm sure you'll find insurance, I hope it's not too expensive. As far as your meds, you may be able to get the drug manufacturer to help with your med cost.
Hospitals also have payment plans. Call and ask for the Social worker at the local hospitals, they can help you with programs. You can also look up your local disability network which should have info on help for yoir situation.
THIS IS FROM A FLYER OF THE LOCAL LUPUS FOUNDATION OF SO CAL. It's propitious! (Right on with perfect timing). Just received it a couple days ago.
Social Security Disability
What People with Lupus Need to Know
Join the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation for a webinar with Daniel Berger Attorney at Law
Thursday, March 27, 2014, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm (EDT)
Register at: www.lupusny.org
Is Social Security Disability an option for me, my friend, my relatives, or my patient? Daniel Berger will describe what Administrative Law Judges, who decide cases for the Social Security Administration, look for when evaluating claims. He will discuss how the diagnosis of lupus is considered.
After participating in this webinar you will learn:
• If you qualify for SSI or SSD
• If you should apply
• How to help someone qualify
• When it is wise to have legal representation
• If you are able to work part time and collect SSD
• What to expect at a disability hearing
• How an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) reviews physician forms
• The type of health care coverage available for SSI or SSD
Daniel Berger graduated from the New York University Law School in 1992, and has successfully
represented thousands of Social Security Disability claimants helping them get their benefits since 1997. For the past 16 years, he has focused his practice on representing the disabled before the Social Security Administration, in administrative hearings and in Federal Court. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, and admitted to the New York and New Jersey Bars.
Medicaid is not the same as Obamacare. Medicaid eligibility is based on Income. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid you can still buy a plan through Obamacare which is available to anyone, regardless of income. The Affordable Care website may tell you you’re not eligible for your state’s Medicaid plan but that will not stop you from getting a plan through the Affordable Care Act.
http://obamacarefacts.com/insurance-exchange/texas-health-insurance-exchange.php
That is the address of the website that explains how Texas has chosen to implement Obamacare. It explains why Texas Medicaid was not expanded, and that uninsured Texans can buy insurance through the federal website for the affordable care act.
medicaid is in every state. you have to be definitely ill and pretty broke, but i qualified, and it was a HUGE blessing. there weren't many doctors who would take it, but it covered all my drugs and hospital expenses. definitely find out whether you qualify. I had it for a year or 2. And at one point I was getting more than $1000 worth of drugs every month, for free. And 8 days in the hospital, free. Hematologist, rheumatologist, nephrologist (and a really really terrible psychiatrist who was cheating the system, but that's another story), all free. I had a van that was 5-6 years old and less than $2000 in assets (and if you own a home, they don't count that against you, but I didn't have one), and severe lupus, and I qualified. that was florida, 2002.
W. O. W. my prayer’s go out to you! Hang in there??..Beverly L.
Praying for you!