Employment & Health Insurance

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

I am currently working a full-time job and it takes me about an hour

and 15 minutes to get to work (one way). Adding it all up, I am gone

about 12-14 hours a day. In the past, this has not been a problem

for me. But in the last 8-12 months, I have had a major problem with

fatigue. So much that I must take an hour nap (on lunch break)

almost every day. And when I get home at the end of the day, I am

totally exhausted. I feel like I've been awake for days. Working 40

hours a week seems to take as much energy as it used to take me to

work 60-70+ hours per week at a more physically demanding job.

With that out of the way, my issue involves health insurance. I feel

that I will need to begin working part time or possibly find a job

closer to home. If I work part-time, I will need to work at least 32

hours a week to retain benefits. Even then I would only be eligible

for HMO coverage. In my opinion, there is not much of a difference

between 32 and 40 hours a week considering that I spend 12 1/2 hours

just driving back and forth.

The main reason I have endured my current position to this point is

for the health insurance. If I could find a way to get adequate

health insurance and work less, I would do it. I have considered

applying for disability, my Doctor said I would most likely be

approved (but not on the first try). It is my understanding that in

order to be covered by Medicare, you must first be on SS or SS

disability. Is this correct? What I am trying to find out is if

going on disability is the only way to get health insurance without

working 32+ hours a week?

I hope this post makes sense. I am technically able to work (at a

desk job, at this point), but considering the exhaustion factor and

the basic fact that I feel awful most of the day, I am seriously

considering my options. Has anyone here had a similar situation?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

-Rob

[Guest guest]

Rob,

What about looking for a job closer to home? Then, you wouldn't have the

long commute. I did some time with a long commute like this and I

finally figured out it was the fatigue from sitting in a huge, hot, slow

moving parking lot that wiped me out. That and the anxiety I had about

wasting so much time. After 3 years of that, I was motivated enough to

find a better job closer to home. And I did.

Or what about working at home - self-employment - their are insurance

pools for this, but before you do this do your research. I don't know

what kind of work you do and this might not work. Or, what about asking

your current employer if you can telecommute from home 3 days a week or

some other combination?

~ Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Rob, I was in a similar situation 3 years ago, but I did not have the

commute to deal with. When I simply could no longer work my grueling

50/hr week schedule in mid-level management, my doctor was the one who

said enough is enough. He would allow me to work only 20 hours per week

maximum. Since my employer knew that my management duties could not be

filled effectively in only 20 hours per week, and since they could not

force me to take a demotion, they granted me full disability. I had

paid LTD premiums for years and now am able to collect 60% of my salary

tax-free until I'm 65. I was also required by my company to apply for

Soc. Security, which was approved in less than a month. My company

disability income is reduced by the amount of my SS, but it has worked

out well for the last 3 years. My disability provision with my company

for health insurance for me and my family is still offered for the same

premium as if I was still a full time employee, which is $249/mo. I

became eligible for medicare last November, and the Social Security

Administration forces me to take it as my primary provider. My company

health insurance is now secondary. I sincerely hope that your employer

has offered you a disability plan. If they have, my advice is to apply

for it now - it sounds like your doctor will be very supportive. As far

as the commute, I know that they won't take that into consideration,

because relocation is always considered an option to be closer to your

job (at least THEY think so). Good luck with your efforts on this. I

can truly sympathize. K.