i'm #%@*&^% screwed

Kiya
I really hope you are able to work this out. Our health care system is just F'ed up.

*cries* they all say TOO BAD - even if someone in COBRA gives you wrong info and you mess up, it's YOUR FAULT.

that's what i was told by Dept of Labor. so much for my rights.

((kiya)))

Oh wow, that SUCKS. I'm sorry, kiya.

((((((((((((((((((((((Kiya))))))))))))))))))))))) that is so not right.

BB

agreed =( but there seems little to be done about it.

> that's what i was told by Dept of Labor.

Contact your congressperson...

KIYA, keep fighting Cobra, i had to. call them every week if you have too. get them to write you a letter that your money is on it's way and show this to your T and Pdoc. That way they know your going to get their money. Cobra needs to know that you are not stable and that they are adding to it. I used all 24 months of mine. They are a beast and i am so sorry you are going through this. it sounds just like my situation. just call and call. don't cancel your appt yet. i hate money and what it does to some folks(me)..........pj56..........

(((((((((((( kiya )))))))))))))))))

Maybe the Dept of Labor was not the right place to call...have you tried calling your state's Insurance Department? They are the licensing department and also hear complaints made against the insurance companies...they will mediate or find if there is a law that has been broken etc.


sabby

hadn't thought of that one. no i am giving up. i guess the laws of COBRA are that you cannot miss a payment, even if someone from the agency tells you it is ok. So don't anyone miss one ever from now on - learn my my trials. don't listen to ppl - trust your gut instinct.

awesome.... i just went from owing around $400 to owing around $2000 in the blink of an eye. i'm sooooooooooooo excited about that.

Okay, this is coming really late but (((((((((Kiya)))))))))))))))

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Kiya said:

(((((((((((((all))))))))))))))))))

*sigh*... sooooooooo I did AmeriCorps for 2 years... which means i'm broke... and there is no such thing as "unemployment" for AmeriCorps because even though we get a stipend *and have to pay tax*, we're technically "volunteers" for an entire year...2 in my case. sooooo no work, only temp stuff, no benies but my COBRA from AmeriCorps.... I had no work so i couldn't pay. So i called to see about options and was told the policy would not be canceled if i did not pay. that when i paid, my denied claims would go through. I kept asking "Are you SURE??!" yes. .... naturally, i got canceled. And there's no recourse. No way to change it.... "it's my fault" so they tell me. I am just sick about it.

so 2 months of t and some other drs appnts that i thought would be resubmitted, now won't be. and still i have hardly enough work to pay even my phone bill. haven't paid rent in 3 months (to my family), haven't paid my car..... dunno what i'm gonna do.

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I know from a similar experience that this is NO FUN.

I had my health insurance policy accidentally canceled when I went on medical leave once--I didn't have COBRA enacted, as I was still covered under my employer's health plan, but the concept is similar. Group health insurance plans have a lot of laws covering them. COBRA is the federal law that ensures the 18 months coverage. It stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. . Your health insurance coverage under COBRA will still be dealt with through your former employer. COBRA guarantees 18 months of coverage when employment ends, under the same plan of coverage you had with your employer.

Lets see what we CAN do:

If a communication error occurred, and they prematurely canceled your policy before 18 months was done, then you are not at fault, cannot be penalized by cancellation. Your employers health insurance provider has an obligation to re-initiate the policy. You can accomplish this on the phone by speaking with their benefits dept. You need to make sure your T. and PDOC and whatever other doctor you saw during the cancellation period resubmit the claims after the policy is re-initiated.

If you didn't pay the COBRA premiums, and that is why they canceled, then you need to see if you can make payment arrangements regarding COBRA. They should work with you in this regard, considering the circumstances. Employers can do pretty much anything they want; you just have to compel them to do it. This will depend on your employer. The Department of Labor oversees COBRA. A complaint can be filed with the Dept. of Labor about the COBRA mistake.

This link is to the National Association of State Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans: http://www.naschip.org/ NASCHIP . You will find other low cost health insurance options. This link is to the 50 states health insurance continuation plans for other low cost health insurance options:
NAHU.Org

I would also suggest that if they don't want to reinstate your COBRA, that you write a letter to AmeriCorp detailing the problem. I would also write a letter to your senator and/or congressman. When you "volunteered" for AmeriCorp, you were serving your country under a federal civil servant program. I would make sure you bring this up in your letter to your congressman/senator, and AmeriCorp. It's not your fault that they had their head up their arse.
This is a guide to state consumer health insurance options and your consumer rights: State Health Insurance Options and Rights
Medicaid might be an option to consider applying for. There are many types of Medicaid: Medicaid

Either way, make sure you take care of your health now. Paying bills later that can always be put off is far better than having problems exacerbate and cause worse problems later. College is another thing to consider if you haven't been yet (I'm just guessing your in your 20's because of your AmeriCorp involvement). They have some kind of health insurance usually, and even though it isn't generally very good, it's better than nothing. There is also Student Health, which means you see a doctor there for free, and the prescriptions are usually lower than normal.
For a prescription discount card and/or plan, this link: Prescription Assistance
Just in case, the Dept. of Labor COBRA link: COBRA FAQ
Department of Labor: DOL

I wish I could help more. See what kind of arrangements your T. will make with you; most good ones will continue to see you even without insurance, especially if your going to be beginning new insurance through a new job.
I hope I was somewhat helpful, if not to you, then to someone else. SIGH.
Things.... have a tendency to work themselves out, Kiya. Please take care of yourself in the interim.