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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shar on September 23, 2000, at 14:08:08
Since losing my job, I have the option of keeping up my group insurance at a mere $250 per month (that is a LOT of money to me right now). My meds are about that much if I pay for them out of pocket.
Any suggestions? I am already cutting my Effexor in half just in case I have to withdraw. (I take one pill instead of 2). I have a ton of Wellbutrin because there was an error by the pharmacy or dr. and I'm getting twice as much as needed, so I am still taking two a day of those.
Is it worth it to keep the insurance, maybe? It feels like every decision I make these days is the wrong one, so I would appreciate input.
Thanks for help--------Shar
Posted by stjames on September 23, 2000, at 16:35:06
In reply to Insurance prob---To COBRA or not to COBRA, posted by shar on September 23, 2000, at 14:08:08
> Since losing my job, I have the option of keeping up my group insurance at a mere $250 per month (that is a LOT of money to me right now). My meds are about that much if I pay for them out of pocket.
>James here.....
I have been on COBRA since 1995, I pay $425/month
so it could be worse ! I would say do the COBRA at least short term, stock up on meds, get any tests done, ect. Use http://www.needymeds.com/
to get your meds for free. See if you doc will double your doseages till you can get free meds, some will do this. Find out how much your
doc will charge to see privately and how often you will have to see him/her. Maybe they will let you go longer between visits if you are paying full price. Some states have an insurance pool where you can get low cost ins. Ask your doc about this.The issue here is "pre-existing conditions" and you really can't get around this till you get another job w/ins, then they have to take you, warts and all. The cobra means "pre-existing conditions" are not an issue.
It kind of sounds like no COBRA, $250/mo for meds or Cobra for $250, plus small copay so why not keep it short term till you can rework things and see if you can save $.
james
Posted by Greg on September 23, 2000, at 19:09:43
In reply to Insurance prob---To COBRA or not to COBRA, posted by shar on September 23, 2000, at 14:08:08
Shar,
If you consider the possibility of accidental injury, car accident, falling and breaking a bone, etc, I would say that maintaining the insurance is the absolute right thing to do. A single day hospital stay can run upwards of 3-4 thousand dollars a day. The average ER visit nationwide is $725. There are so many other issues to consider here beyond your meds. My vote would be yes, keep it. St James COBRA costs are more in line with the average. Your cost is considerably less than what most people pay for it. I know money is tight right now, but take it from someone who has rec'd nearly a hundred doc bills in the last 2-3 years, if it weren't for my insurance, I'd be living in a box on the street.
Just MHO
Love ya,
Greg> Since losing my job, I have the option of keeping up my group insurance at a mere $250 per month (that is a LOT of money to me right now). My meds are about that much if I pay for them out of pocket.
>
> Any suggestions? I am already cutting my Effexor in half just in case I have to withdraw. (I take one pill instead of 2). I have a ton of Wellbutrin because there was an error by the pharmacy or dr. and I'm getting twice as much as needed, so I am still taking two a day of those.
>
> Is it worth it to keep the insurance, maybe? It feels like every decision I make these days is the wrong one, so I would appreciate input.
>
> Thanks for help--------Shar
Posted by noa on September 24, 2000, at 15:05:56
In reply to Re: Insurance prob---To COBRA or not to COBRA » shar, posted by Greg on September 23, 2000, at 19:09:43
> Shar,
I say Keep it, see how it goes. You can discontinue at any point. One major advantage of continuing is that it is then MUCH easier to be covered by new insurance in the future if you had no interruptions in coverage. With lapses in coverage, some insurance companies don't cover certain preexisting conditions, and charge you more for your premiums.
Posted by noa on September 24, 2000, at 15:06:59
In reply to Re: Insurance prob---To COBRA or not to COBRA » shar, posted by Greg on September 23, 2000, at 19:09:43
PS--
Plus, Greg is right. You never know when you'll need it.
Posted by shar on September 24, 2000, at 17:02:11
In reply to Re: Insurance prob---To COBRA or not to COBRA-PS, posted by noa on September 24, 2000, at 15:06:59
Thank you all for your responses. I hadn't really thought much beyond getting meds, but I realize that a hospital stay--even a shorty--would wipe me out completely.
Thanks all!
Shar
> PS--
>
> Plus, Greg is right. You never know when you'll need it.
Posted by allisonm on September 24, 2000, at 20:20:30
In reply to To COBRA It Is, posted by shar on September 24, 2000, at 17:02:11
My mom wasn't working and only had this measly policy, then was hospitalized for a month once -- including 3 weeks in ICU. She came out with a $37,000 bill that took her years to pay off. If COBRA is available, I'd take it. (Glad you are.)
Allison
This is the end of the thread.
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