Re: Re: My Personal Health Insurance Experience

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

 

Unfortunately, Texas sets their high risk pool rates at twice the individual

rate and there doesn't seem to be any break for people who keep continuous

coverage, like other states do.

 

The Obama administration is working on trying to make individual premiums more

affordable, especially for people in these high risk pools. 

He's proposing immediate relief until the full plan is implemented: 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/health_care/plan/

 

You may want to send your story to your Representatives.

 

With regard to small group coverage, there are group plans for groups of 2-50,

but you're right they aren't as rich as large group plans.  However, the

premium would be less than an individual plan for you, since Texas law sets the

premium increase due to health conditions at no more than 25% above the standard

rate.  The bad news is that it looks like this would only be available to you if

you hired employees and paid a portion of their coverage.  In other words, if

you just partnered with someone that would not be enough, so that may not be a

good option for you.

 

On the Texas high risk pool site, there is a link to organization that help with

financial assistance with the premiums and copays:

 http://www.txhealthpool.org/Financial%20Resources%20Table%20CURRENT.pdf

 

This may help or you may be like many others who make just a little too much to

get help.  It would be definitely something to explore at that point.

 

But, for you now you have COBRA.  I'm sorry, I don't recall why you said you

lost employment.  We're you laid-off?  It's possible that you may qualify for

the Recovery Act COBRA subsidy, that provides a 65% reduction in COBRA premiums

for 9 months of COBRA.  Here's a link to the information on this subsidy:

 

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/fsCOBRApremiumreduction.pdf

 

I myself didn't qualify, because they said my failure to continue working due to

disability was a " voluntary " termination, not " involuntary " .  So, if you are on

COBRA simply due to your health, you may not qualify either, but it would

definitely be worth exploring.

 

It may be that what you've outlined is the best available for your situation,

unless you can find another job with a large employer.  Telling your story is a

good idea.

 

Here's a link to finding your representatives:

http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

 

From: cathy.power <slumpville@...>

Subject: Re: My Personal Health Insurance Experience

Date: Monday, September 21, 2009, 4:23 AM

 

,

I am in Texas. 800 is the high risk pool price for the best insurance they

offer, which is still not as good as the Aetna plan I have now, and that rate

will go up as I age.

The small business thing does not solve the insurance issue. It still does not

allow me access to a group plan.

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