High risk insurance pool
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"BillyG" gunderm...@aol.com
Anyone out there had problems getting heatlh insurance because of existing condition? I read last year there was some lobbying in Ohio to create an insurance pool for high risk individuals that worked but could otherwise not get/afford insurance. Does anyone know if Ohio or other state has created such a pool? I just lost my job and between severance and CORBRA have 20 months to find another source of insurance. Starting chemotherapy for a brain tumor I'm guessing not many company insurance programs will be ready to embrase me.
"alex" a...@noemail.com
In my home state a new program has just rolled out http://www.network-health.org/tpl/members_418.asp?contid=mem_cwc It is low cost insurance for people like yourself.
Good news if you keep insurance ( by paying your premiums) you don't loose your chance to elect another insurance, You need to provide a notice of insurability, this document states that you had insurance prior to electing whatever insurance you elect.
Your best source for this type of information is a hospital social worker who will know the ins and outs of Ohio. If you are unable to return to work you maybe entitled to Medicare.
It doesn't look like Ohio has a high risk pool yet http://www.cahi.org/cahi_contents/issues/article.asp?id=489
"bj" bjone...@bellatlantic.net
Look into your HIPAA rights. The HR dept. at your old company should be able to give you all the information, or at least sources. Even if you have rights to buy (individual) insurance, though, it may cost an awful lot.
Best wishes on the chemo.
bj ...
Figgertoes m...@privacy.net
You need to quickly research your rights under COBRA. The rules are very specific, but, depending upon the dates of several events, you may be able to stay on COBRA longer. If so, you need to inform your former employer &/or file any required paperwork. COBRA is a Federal program, but the HR department of your fomer employer should be able to help you.
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html Other situations may apply, but if you become Social Security disabled within 60 days of starting COBRA, you may be able to extend 11 more months at perhaps a higher premium.
Be sure to hang onto those certificates of insurance coverage Alex mentioned. You should receive one at the end of your group coverage & another at the end of COBRA. These mostly apply to subsequent group coverage - eliminating exclusions. They may prove very valuable to you. They do not, however, require anyone to sell you private insurance.
I don't know your prognosis or whether you are married. If you are eligible to be covered under a spouse's plan, watch those dates & qualifying events carefully. Running out of COBRA IS NOT a qualifying event. I don't want to go into a long-winded explanation without even knowing if such could apply to your situation. If you anticipate filing for SS disability, you might want to make sure the dates work.
Sometimes, they back-date. Once you're qualified, you may tap into any IRA without incurrng the 10% penalty, even if you are under 59.5. You may do that even before waiting out their 5 month waiting period.
Your HR rep & hosptial social workers are your friends. This is new territory & the rules are specific, so find a trusted guide.
Best of luck to you. Feel free to post more here (omitting personal information) & we will try to help. We are not benefits professionals, but we may be able to point you.
Fig
"BillyG" gunderm...@aol.com
Thanks everyone for the valuable information. I pursue speaking with one or more hospital social workers to understand my options. BTW I'm currently single so no alternate plan to draw from.
J erc...@anon.inv
Hello Billy and welcome to alt.support.cancer What brought about your diagnosis please?
Were you having symptoms? If so which?
I guess I'm wondering a number of things.
What you expect from TMZ?
How to slow down the growth of a slow-growing tumor?
The wisdom of maybe being on a medication for 12 or more years.
Or watchful waiting...
I also wonder why no resection? Quite a few websites mention it as the primary treatment.
Each brain tumor situation is different.
I'm just trying to understand your situation.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Best, J
"BillyG" gunderm...@aol.com
Hi J, My tumor is a diffuse oligodendroglioma located in the left temporal and parietal lobes. The axial dimension is 8cm while the other two are between 4.5-5cm. The entire area of involvement is considered elequent and there is functional brain intertwined within the tumor making removal impossible without severe consequences. The tumor was discovered 3.5 years ago after a grand mal seizure. I did the wait and see approach but in the past year the tumor has exhibited more aggressive growth as measured by MRI leading me to beleive it needs to be treated. I am also experiencing more frequent simple partial seizures that is the only symptom. Before the biopsy I had in October of this year I was having upwards to 20 seizures per day. An average day was more like 3. After the biopsy they put me on Decodran for 2 weeks and my seizures went to zero for 2 months but are starting to return now. The seizures last no more than a couple minutes and do not affect conciousness so I'm able to function through them albiet to a lesser degree. BTW are you the same J that Alex was inquiring about?
"alex" a...@noemail.com
The seizures last no more than a couple minutes and do not Yes it is the J, I was speaking about. You sound like a very informed person. Decadron is a wonder drug but do to the sign effects you can't stay on it for very long. Sounds like you have a good relationship with your professional treatment team they should be able to write a letter of Medical Need for the chemo. Seizures are no fun, do you like alone? Can you get a service dog to ***ist you with the seizures?
Last have you gone for a second opinion ( only if you are not being treated at an academic medical center) to get the latest treatment options. Overall you seem to have a great attitude.
Alex
atl ...@webtv.net (maryanne kehoe)
It sure is....Ken was given two IV bags (I know bags isn't the right word) in the ER when they brought him in to bring down the brain swell.
He was still unconcious after the 1st one but came out of the seizure on the second.
I hadn't heard about a warning for people on the drug. I guess it is depending on body chemestry. Decadron is one of the drugs he is on to prevent brain swelling and trigger another seizure (which he hasn't had, thank goodness.) But he is closely monitored on all his meds and things have been "tweaked" from time to time.
Good luck to you!
J erc...@anon.inv
Yes, that's me.
Thank you Billy, for explaining why it''s inoperable.
J
J erc...@anon.inv
Good idea, Billy.
As much as you may not wish it, it may be difficult to stay employable with seizure problems.
We'll be here watching for your updates.
Meantime, Seasons Greetings to you and yours.
J
Figgertoes m...@privacy.net
my seizures went to zero for 2 months but are starting to Billy, please be careful with those seizures. It's good that you remain conscious & able to function, & may you always remain so. An acquaintance lost her 41 year old daughter last week to what they think was drowning in her bath tub during a seizure (autopsy takes 2-3 months). The daughter had been cautioned against bathing unsupervised & she refused to take her meds
- so different from your situation. If you live alone, maybe line up a buddy to check on you, especially when you are showering. My elderly aunt uses a light system with one of her neighbors. They each leave an outside light on all night & turn it off upon arising. Without even a phone call, they know the other is OK.
You might investigate a med-alert service where you can press a panic button. I chatted with a woman at the car dealership the other day. She has one for her mother & it gives peace of mind to each. The house is wired so you can communicate with the operator. If silence, help is sent.
Please stay safe, Fig
"BillyG" gunderm...@aol.com
Thanks all for your continued input and support. This morning I ran 13 miles by myself without any problems so it is ironic I have this tumor that has changed my life in a way not visible to most. I carry medical ID in case of emergency but so far it's not been needed. A combination of Dilantin and Keppra has prevented seizures other than simple partial for the past 3.5 years. Since this started I can count more than 1000 seizures. Fortunately all have been ones where I could continue to move and walk. I've read that some patients with intractable epilepsy have been put on low dose Decadron and plan to discuss this option with my neurologist when I meet with him next month. IMHO it's better to have a lot of these managable seizures than a few of the severe ones.
"betsyb" betsy...@TRASHoptonline.net
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, Starbucks in the other, totally worn out and screaming, "WOO HOO what a ride!" ...
Ask your Doc about Mysoline to go with the Dilantin. Worked well for me for the last 26 years!!
Retired 3 years ago and have gotten off all meds with no bad effects, of course with my neuro's advice.
Grand Mal, Maten variety.
Betsy
Figgertoes m...@privacy.net
Please forgive me if I'm coming off like a mother hen. I just want you safe. I wouldn't have thought it possible really for an adult to drown in a bathtub, but that apparently happened. So I hope you continue to enjoy your life. My hat is off to anyone who can run 13 miles!
Best wishes for a happy holiday!
Fig
"BillyG" gunderm...@aol.com
Betsy, I got a chuckle out of your signiture line. Thanks for the laugh.
Was there a diagnosed source for your seizures? The highest incedence of intractable eplilpsy is reported to be in brain tumor patients like myself.
Regarding Mysoline (aka Primidone) my initial research indicates this drug is most effective against partial and grand mal seizures alone or in combination with another AED. Unfortunately SPS are more difficult to control using AED.
"BillyG" gunderm...@aol.com
Thanks Fig. Happy Holiday to you and everyone else reading this. Last time I took a bath was 20 years ago so my only concern would be falling in the shower. FYI, I've done 4 mile long swims in open water since the seizures first began as part of triathlons where there are 100's of people thrashing around. There are people in boats watching that are intended to help those in trouble but so far haven't tested their abilities.
"betsyb" betsy...@TRASHoptonline.net
Somewhere in the right side of my brain and supposedly caused by very high fevers when I had double pneumonia when I was small along with the measles.
--
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, Starbucks in the other, totally worn out and screaming, "WOO HOO what a ride!" ...
"Alex" usenetg...@gmail.com
Life line is a good idea for anyone living alone......You never know when you may need it.
Alex
"Anne" AnneWith...@tpsrept.edu
...
| Anyone out there had problems getting heatlh insurance because of | existing condition? I read last year there was some lobbying in Ohio | to create an insurance pool for high risk individuals that worked but | could otherwise not get/afford insurance. Does anyone know if Ohio or | other state has created such a pool? I just lost my job and between | severance and CORBRA have 20 months to find another source of | insurance. Starting chemotherapy for a brain tumor I'm guessing not | many company insurance programs will be ready to embrase me.
| Hi -
I'm not sure if these insurance rules are universal (I think they are), but if you had insurance at work, then went onto COBRA, when the COBRA expires they *have* to offer you a conversion to an individual policy. This is what I did. Now that policy isn't cheap. Mine is up to about $700 a month, but I am still grateful for it - as it covers the pre-existing conditions, and I'd never be able to get my own insurance otherwise. Although it is an HMO policy, so the benefits aren't nearly as good as before, and the red tape is m***ive.
I found out more information on this (I think it was a few years ago now) in Consumer Reports magazine.
Good luck!
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