Insurance question

Tcarrol12

You ladies always seem to know about this stuff or work for an office or have been there delt with this so ill ask your opinion.

DD was born with a rare birth defect. I carried insurance for the family so when i had to stop work in dec. we had to switch to Cobra. It was over 800 a month for DD and I. Her surgery was in May and since has been doing great. We could no longer so the 800+ a month and dropped the cobra figuring what we could dish out would be better suited going to bills and doctors. 1 week after we dropped we got a BFP. Because DD has a pre-existing condition insurance is almost impossible to find and now that im pregnant and unemployed and dh's company offers no insurance we are stuck since NO ONE gives maternity benefits with insurance.  I have looked into Medicaid and dh makes to much. and we dont qualify for anything else what so ever for help. We had our OB appointment today broke the news to them and were informed me we will owe them anywhere between 400-600 a month for the next 7 months and the hospital 1000+ per month. Any ideas or suggestions? We were more ten prepared for DD but with her medical expenses like the surgery in May which cost us 5000 just in trip expenses were getting low of funds. She has had a pedi. appt. every week since she was born and many many tests! That all may be over now but the financial hard ship has taken its toll on our savings and account and now were in trouble.

LucyGoosey81

I'm relatively sure (although not positive, so do more research) that if you just dropped COBRA, you can get it back within a month.  Then you're still covered under group coverage.  At that point, get on your husband's insurance if that is an option.  If you're going group to group, I believe pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing condition.  If you can't, then one of you needs to try to get a job/2nd job to get some benefits.  I know Starbucks offers some great benefits for even part-time workers.  Even if you just work for the insurance, you'll be better off.

Good luck!

DesignsOnYou

I'm sorry, that's a really tough place to be.

Have you already checked with your former employer to be certain there's no way to reinstate / extend the COBRA benefits? If possible, I would do that immediately regardless of the $800 a month since it will end up better for you.

The only other option would be for your H to get a job with health benefits. That's the only way for pre-existing conditions to be covered.

The other suggestion I have is to use a midwife / birth center which I know not everyone feels comfortable with but if you do, the cost is substantially less.

GL with everything!

Tcarrol12

DesignsOnYou:

I'm sorry, that's a really tough place to be.

Have you already checked with your former employer to be certain there's no way to reinstate / extend the COBRA benefits? If possible, I would do that immediately regardless of the $800 a month since it will end up better for you.

The only other option would be for your H to get a job with health benefits. That's the only way for pre-existing conditions to be covered.

The other suggestion I have is to use a midwife / birth center which I know not everyone feels comfortable with but if you do, the cost is substantially less.

GL with everything!

I wish any of that were options when i say i have looked everywhere i truly mean it. We can not get the COBRA back, DH works for his family is their own company its small so they do not have insurance, and midwives do not practice in WY due to the strict rules and regulations against them!  I looked into it with DD because i really liked that route.

LucyGoosey81

If neither of you can get your insurance back, then one of you has to get a job with group insurance.  Then I'm pretty sure they can't deny you due to pre-existing condition.  Even if it is part-time and you still have to pay for half, you'll be better off.

MrsBeckaT615

I agree with everyone. You can either go bankrupt or find a job with benefits. 

Tcarrol12

DH already works a million hours for his company and I stay home with DD because of her condition, lack of day care here (very small town), lack of jobs nothing is open at night (wen DH would be home), and we have NO family or friends here. I do Celebrating Home but its not so easy when you dont know many people and the economy stinks especially in a small town.

sgb721

Is there anyway to reactivate the cobra or possibly just get medical for you?

jteneback

Can DH talk to his company about offering insurance, even if the employees pay 100% of the premium?  They could get a group policy even if only 2 people participate, depending on your state.

LucyGoosey81

Tcarrol12:

DH already works a million hours for his company and I stay home with DD because of her condition, lack of day care here (very small town), lack of jobs nothing is open at night (wen DH would be home), and we have NO family or friends here. I do Celebrating Home but its not so easy when you dont know many people and the economy stinks especially in a small town.

It sounds then like you need to find a job with opposite hours of your husbands and that it will need to be you to get the job to get the insurance.  Search for anything at all that has benefits!