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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 4/24/2007 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone had trouble getting insurance because you have RA? I lost my job last Dec. and of course the insurance to. But now I am trying to get insurance and no Ins. Co. will cover me.

Dpete

Posted 4/25/2007 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Dpete.. did you loose your job due to your RA? That in itself is a no-no.. but I know most insurance companies see Arthritis as a "pre-existing" condition so they will insure you, just not when it comes to any expenses for the RA.. Have you tried medicare or medicade? Let us know how you are..
Posted 4/26/2007 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
Dpete,

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events. Qualified individuals may be required to pay the entire premium for coverage up to 102 percent of the cost to the plan.

COBRA generally requires that group health plans sponsored by employers with 20 or more employees in the prior year offer employees and their families the opportunity for a temporary extension of health coverage (called continuation coverage) in certain instances where coverage under the plan would otherwise end.

COBRA outlines how employees and family members may elect continuation coverage. It also requires employers and plans to provide notice.

Try this for more information:
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm

Hope this might be helpful.
-Jem
Posted 4/26/2007 10:48 AM (GMT 0)
I was going to have surgery the first part of Nov. Well I was put on a temporay layoff due to lack of work. Still had Ins. Then in Dec. I was put on permanent layoff. Ins. ended Dec. 31st. I thought for sure I was going to get called back but my boss hired a temp last week. I am pretty upset about that I had 29 years in. But we only had 6 employees so cobra was out. I have filled out 2 apps. both denied me. They wouldnt even put a rider on the RA. And every Ins. co that I have talked to say I will not be able to get Ins.

Thanks for your input.

dpete

Posted 4/26/2007 11:45 PM (GMT 0)

Dpete,

Sorry to hear that. What about state programs for uninsured, do you qualify for medicaid? I found this web site that might be of some help:  http://www.stretcher.com/stories/990111b.cfm or try a google search. I used medical insurance for pre-existing condition.

Should you get a job with another company and obtain group health insurance you'll probably be fully insured again. I know that doesn't help now.

Try calling the State Insurance Commissioner's Office and see what they suggest.

Good Luck,

-Jem

Posted 4/27/2007 12:15 AM (GMT 0)

Thank You very much I will check into this.

dpete

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