Would love to hear some of your thoughts/advice!

[QuantumSheep]

Hi everyone ... I hope you are all in great spirits today!

I've been reading through some of the healthcare information on this site, and it is certainly very helpful but I wanted to start a topic here to get your thoughts and opinions about something as I have been unable to find any information that relates to my specific situation.

I am currently employed with Time, Inc. (i.e. Time Magazine) and have really fantastic healthcare. However, I am also a musician at heart, and long before this cancer thing ever hit last summer, I began to target 2007 or 2008 as the year when I would take the leap and try my hand at being a full-time musician.

As I'm sure you're aware, cancer throws a big, big seminomatous wrench into these plans. I know that I can be eligible for COBRA for 18 months (or possibly longer, I'm not sure) ... but then what? It's already a given that I'll need periodic CT scans, X-rays & bloodwork for the next several years and, God forbid, there's always a chance of recurrence.

I don't think many of these "options" take too kindly to voluntarily giving up a job that offered fantastic healthcare, especially in the case of a pre-existing condition. I am getting the distinct feeling that a lot of them would require me to stay in a job just for the healthcare, because I have the qualifications for such a career. But music is my dream and my passion and the last thing in the world I would ever want is to be stuck at a job I don't want and in a life I don't want because of cancer.

I would love to hear some of your thoughts on this matter. Thanks so much and have a great day!!

[IowaBrian]

Options are few.
You might try talking to the State Department of Insurance to see what is legal for insurance companies to hold against you in your state.
Giving up insurance can be a bad thing but if you can pay the cobra rates and then any other out of pocket you will have coverage for a little while you might be able to get some type of large loss coverage high ded policy but out of pocket will be a killer. If you don't need any other drugs for other medical conditions then the Rx bill won't be too bad but if you get stuff filled every month then it all adds up. Just something to think about.

[huckchef]

But............ to not deny based on a pre-existing condition, does this mean that your insurer will more than likely charge you in excess for those same premiums?

[Russell's Mom]

sadly

Hello,
My feeling is...do your homework around this one. I work as a nurse in California and sadly, one of the first questions when we transfer to a higher level of care (when care is really needed) is "what kind of insurance does the patient have?" It is not supposed to make a difference, but I have watched doctors make decisons to accept a patient for higher level of care, or convince the current provider to just keep the patient and watch them after they learn about the type of insurance. We one time had a young boy with flesh eating bacteria, no insurance and the hospital with the hyperbaric treatment (which we did not) would not accept the patient unless our hospital would pay for it. Yeah for my hospital, we covered the cost for the young boy and he was treated. Healthcare coverage is a mess as we know, it is important to know which rock you are hopping to. I can only imagine that even with acceptance of people with a pre-existing disease, the insurance company will want to know the money will flow in their direction. Watch for hidden costs and coverage. Another example, a friend was legally covered for treatments after an accident, then the insurance company "changed their policy" and she was out. As a nurse who has learned she can paint, I understand how difficult it is to share the energy with the 9-5 job. Slowly, I am growing that garden and now trying to blend the two. Art and healing!!! take care and good luck, Russell's mom Sharon