Re: I am so angry, I could scream!!!!

December 17, 2008

You must pay the cobra. This is very important. It's always expensive. However

of UPI just get cheapie insurance on the meantime then you will never get your

operation because it will be cosidered a preexisting condition. The only way for

this not to happen is to go right from one companys carrier to another with

cobra in between. Cash customers are usually charged 3 x what insurance allows.

That's why people have medical bancrupcies. Just my surgery with the 3 day

hospital stay cost $99,000! Not including the doctor I'd anesthesia bill. The

rehab stay was another $12,000 ! You must find a way to pay the cobra until he

gets another jon or you may never get your back issues paid for due to

preexisting conditions. I was told thatvead lucky I was on dissability or i'd

probably be out of a job right now. This is a real reality I'll face when I go

back to work. I am a finance manager at a car dealership and there are many

layoffs right now.

Thanks!

Rhonda

On Dec 17, 2008, at 12:27 AM, " lvjamaica2004 " <lvjamaica2004@...> wrote:

I updated you all with a positive report that I was set for surgery

on Jan. 8th and that I had my support system in place. In other

words, everything was a go!

My husband went to work at 6:30am this morning and was home by

7:45am. I got up and asked him why he was home. I thought he got sick

being I just got over a nasty bug. He said no that he was not sick.

He told me he got laid off along with 65 other people! The first

thing I thought about was OMG what about the insurance. I called the

human resource department and get this, as of seventeen minutes ago,

I do not have any health insurance at all!!!

The group admin told me that the insurance would expire at midnight

tonight. I never heard such a thing. I called Anthem BC/BS and they

confirmed it. They said I could have cobra, but at what cost I asked

them. They said probably around a thousand dollars a month!!! I said

WHAT!

I stated to them, you mean to tell me that you laid off my husband

after four years of service and never missed one day and I have to

pay this much money! I can't stand this current government, but I

degres!

So in the end, I had to call the doctor and cancell the surgery. I

have been in tears all day. I want to know why I should have to live

in debilitating pain every day of my life. Is this my life plan. It

is not fair!

I am going to my medical doctor tomorrow and talk to her. There maybe

a hospital around that takes people without insurance who really

needs surgery. My luck it will be a teaching hospital and I will have

different interns, residents and doctors poking me.

I guess beggers can't be choosers.

His company said that they would take care of filing for unemployment

insurance for all employees laid off. My friends boyfriend also got

laid off today.

Thanks for letting me vent and if you have any ideas on how I can get

this surgery done, please let me know! Dawn

December 17, 2008

I'm so sorry to hear what has happened! That's

terrible!!!

I have to get ready for work now so I'm making this

brief.

I thought you should know that teaching hospitals are

usually better to go to for spine surgery and brain

surgery because it's so specialized that the residents

don't operate. Only the surgeon and either a PA or

Fellow assist in surgery. Both of these are highly

competant positions.Trust me, I'm a spine scrub nurse.

Hope this helps a little.

---

--- lvjamaica2004 <lvjamaica2004@...> wrote:

> I updated you all with a positive report that I was

> set for surgery

> on Jan. 8th and that I had my support system in

> place. In other

> words, everything was a go!

>

> My husband went to work at 6:30am this morning and

> was home by

> 7:45am. I got up and asked him why he was home. I

> thought he got sick

> being I just got over a nasty bug. He said no that

> he was not sick.

> He told me he got laid off along with 65 other

> people! The first

> thing I thought about was OMG what about the

> insurance. I called the

> human resource department and get this, as of

> seventeen minutes ago,

> I do not have any health insurance at all!!!

>

> The group admin told me that the insurance would

> expire at midnight

> tonight. I never heard such a thing. I called Anthem

> BC/BS and they

> confirmed it. They said I could have cobra, but at

> what cost I asked

> them. They said probably around a thousand dollars a

> month!!! I said

> WHAT!

>

> I stated to them, you mean to tell me that you laid

> off my husband

> after four years of service and never missed one day

> and I have to

> pay this much money! I can't stand this current

> government, but I

> degres!

>

> So in the end, I had to call the doctor and cancell

> the surgery. I

> have been in tears all day. I want to know why I

> should have to live

> in debilitating pain every day of my life. Is this

> my life plan. It

> is not fair!

>

> I am going to my medical doctor tomorrow and talk to

> her. There maybe

> a hospital around that takes people without

> insurance who really

> needs surgery. My luck it will be a teaching

> hospital and I will have

> different interns, residents and doctors poking me.

>

> I guess beggers can't be choosers.

>

> His company said that they would take care of filing

> for unemployment

> insurance for all employees laid off. My friends

> boyfriend also got

> laid off today.

>

> Thanks for letting me vent and if you have any ideas

> on how I can get

> this surgery done, please let me know! Dawn

>

December 17, 2008

Lv Jamaica,

Pay for Cobra for just you......do the surgery and then when

done.......drop cobra

Deb RN

From: spinal problems

[mailto:spinal problems ] On Behalf Of Rhonda

Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 7:30 AM

spinal problems

Subject: Re: I am so angry, I could scream!!!!

Not to contradict anything but the surguty I had was at a teaching hospital.

Ok fact I had to make it very clear that I only wanted the neorosurgeom to

do the operating. Be normally let's the residents open and close the site

and put in the cage. Who knows maybe be didn't listen to me and they did

some of the work anyway. He did tell me that he uses them as assistants. My

surgeon is supposed to be one of the best on the country. If they do

procedures fir free it's news to me. Just the implant alone costs $63000!

Just the fusing liquid they use cost between $5 & . $6K.

Thanks!

Rhonda

On Dec 17, 2008, at 8:17 AM, Babbitt <tpowell1977@...

<mailto:tpowell1977%40> > wrote:

I'm so sorry to hear what has happened! That's

terrible!!!

I have to get ready for work now so I'm making this

brief.

I thought you should know that teaching hospitals are

usually better to go to for spine surgery and brain

surgery because it's so specialized that the residents

don't operate. Only the surgeon and either a PA or

Fellow assist in surgery. Both of these are highly

competant positions.Trust me, I'm a spine scrub nurse.

Hope this helps a little.

---

--- lvjamaica2004 <lvjamaica2004@...

<mailto:lvjamaica2004%40> > wrote:

> I updated you all with a positive report that I was

> set for surgery

> on Jan. 8th and that I had my support system in

> place. In other

> words, everything was a go!

>

> My husband went to work at 6:30am this morning and

> was home by

> 7:45am. I got up and asked him why he was home. I

> thought he got sick

> being I just got over a nasty bug. He said no that

> he was not sick.

> He told me he got laid off along with 65 other

> people! The first

> thing I thought about was OMG what about the

> insurance. I called the

> human resource department and get this, as of

> seventeen minutes ago,

> I do not have any health insurance at all!!!

>

> The group admin told me that the insurance would

> expire at midnight

> tonight. I never heard such a thing. I called Anthem

> BC/BS and they

> confirmed it. They said I could have cobra, but at

> what cost I asked

> them. They said probably around a thousand dollars a

> month!!! I said

> WHAT!

>

> I stated to them, you mean to tell me that you laid

> off my husband

> after four years of service and never missed one day

> and I have to

> pay this much money! I can't stand this current

> government, but I

> degres!

>

> So in the end, I had to call the doctor and cancell

> the surgery. I

> have been in tears all day. I want to know why I

> should have to live

> in debilitating pain every day of my life. Is this

> my life plan. It

> is not fair!

>

> I am going to my medical doctor tomorrow and talk to

> her. There maybe

> a hospital around that takes people without

> insurance who really

> needs surgery. My luck it will be a teaching

> hospital and I will have

> different interns, residents and doctors poking me.

>

> I guess beggers can't be choosers.

>

> His company said that they would take care of filing

> for unemployment

> insurance for all employees laid off. My friends

> boyfriend also got

> laid off today.

>

> Thanks for letting me vent and if you have any ideas

> on how I can get

> this surgery done, please let me know! Dawn

>

December 17, 2008

I am so sorry. No way you can cobra just that one month to take care of the

operation?

ivan

> I updated you all with a positive report that I was

> set for surgery

> on Jan. 8th and that I had my support system in

> place. In other

> words, everything was a go!

>

> My husband went to work at 6:30am this morning and

> was home by

> 7:45am. I got up and asked him why he was home. I

> thought he got sick

> being I just got over a nasty bug. He said no that

> he was not sick.

> He told me he got laid off along with 65 other

> people! The first

> thing I thought about was OMG what about the

> insurance. I called the

> human resource department and get this, as of

> seventeen minutes ago,

> I do not have any health insurance at all!!!

>

> The group admin told me that the insurance would

> expire at midnight

> tonight. I never heard such a thing. I called Anthem

> BC/BS and they

> confirmed it. They said I could have cobra, but at

> what cost I asked

> them. They said probably around a thousand dollars a

> month!!! I said

> WHAT!

>

> I stated to them, you mean to tell me that you laid

> off my husband

> after four years of service and never missed one day

> and I have to

> pay this much money! I can't stand this current

> government, but I

> degres!

>

> So in the end, I had to call the doctor and cancell

> the surgery. I

> have been in tears all day. I want to know why I

> should have to live

> in debilitating pain every day of my life. Is this

> my life plan. It

> is not fair!

>

> I am going to my medical doctor tomorrow and talk to

> her. There maybe

> a hospital around that takes people without

> insurance who really

> needs surgery. My luck it will be a teaching

> hospital and I will have

> different interns, residents and doctors poking me.

>

> I guess beggers can't be choosers.

>

> His company said that they would take care of filing

> for unemployment

> insurance for all employees laid off. My friends

> boyfriend also got

> laid off today.

>

> Thanks for letting me vent and if you have any ideas

> on how I can get

> this surgery done, please let me know! Dawn

>

December 17, 2008

First things first, you must go to human services and file for benefits. They

can provide you with Food Stamps and the name of some food banks in your area

that can help you with that end of things.

Second, if you have not already filed, file now for disability. Get all of your

records together and make sure you have everything that is wrong with you

heavily documented.

Third, talk to human services about health care assistance.

Fourth, talk to any church affiliation you might have. Anyone you know who has a

good large church or if you have a church of you own speak with your pastor

immediatley.

They can sometimes help with some if not all of the money needed to help with

your surgery.

Fifth, check on-line and with your local library and church or human services

for any and all assistance available for people in your situation.

Sixth, find your husband a JOB!!! Odds are depending on the job, he will not be

recalled from this layoff. Finding another job immediately is paramount.

Especially if he is able to find something that offers health benefits with no

waiting period or even at most a 90 day waiting period for health benefits. You

may have to wait six months for it not to be considered a pre-existing illness.

Which means in the six months that you begin coverage you can not be seen for

this illness. But, it will be worth it, because then you can get the ins. comp

to pay.

Don't jump off a cliff just yet. We are here for support and will offer advice

and help in anyway we can. We understand and most of us have either been there

or are in the same situation now.

It will get better, but it may take time and patience.

The good news, your husband can draw unemployment. Which is better than nothing.

I wish you all the luck in the world and feel free to vent to us anytime.

Good luck and best wishes,

Shayna

It is better to be hated for who you are than liked for who you aren't.

From: lvjamaica2004 <lvjamaica2004@...>

Subject: I am so angry, I could scream!!!!

spinal problems

Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 11:27 PM

I updated you all with a positive report that I was set for surgery

on Jan. 8th and that I had my support system in place. In other

words, everything was a go!

My husband went to work at 6:30am this morning and was home by

7:45am. I got up and asked him why he was home. I thought he got sick

being I just got over a nasty bug. He said no that he was not sick.

He told me he got laid off along with 65 other people! The first

thing I thought about was OMG what about the insurance. I called the

human resource department and get this, as of seventeen minutes ago,

I do not have any health insurance at all!!!

The group admin told me that the insurance would expire at midnight

tonight. I never heard such a thing. I called Anthem BC/BS and they

confirmed it. They said I could have cobra, but at what cost I asked

them. They said probably around a thousand dollars a month!!! I said

WHAT!

I stated to them, you mean to tell me that you laid off my husband

after four years of service and never missed one day and I have to

pay this much money! I can't stand this current government, but I

degres!

So in the end, I had to call the doctor and cancell the surgery. I

have been in tears all day. I want to know why I should have to live

in debilitating pain every day of my life. Is this my life plan. It

is not fair!

I am going to my medical doctor tomorrow and talk to her. There maybe

a hospital around that takes people without insurance who really

needs surgery. My luck it will be a teaching hospital and I will have

different interns, residents and doctors poking me.

I guess beggers can't be choosers.

His company said that they would take care of filing for unemployment

insurance for all employees laid off. My friends boyfriend also got

laid off today.

Thanks for letting me vent and if you have any ideas on how I can get

this surgery done, please let me know! Dawn

December 17, 2008

Shayna:

I already know about everything you said. I was homeless for six months, four

years ago so I know what is out there. Plus I have filed for SSI three times and

I have been denied. My husband is looking a job, but do you remember that in the

last six months over 200,000 people got laid off!!!!

There is no work. The temp agencies aren't even hiring.

From: lvjamaica2004 <lvjamaica2004>

Subject: I am so angry, I could scream!!!!

spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.com

Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 11:27 PM

I updated you all with a positive report that I was set for surgery

on Jan. 8th and that I had my support system in place. In other

words, everything was a go!

My husband went to work at 6:30am this morning and was home by

7:45am. I got up and asked him why he was home. I thought he got sick

being I just got over a nasty bug. He said no that he was not sick.

He told me he got laid off along with 65 other people! The first

thing I thought about was OMG what about the insurance. I called the

human resource department and get this, as of seventeen minutes ago,

I do not have any health insurance at all!!!

The group admin told me that the insurance would expire at midnight

tonight. I never heard such a thing. I called Anthem BC/BS and they

confirmed it. They said I could have cobra, but at what cost I asked

them. They said probably around a thousand dollars a month!!! I said

WHAT!

I stated to them, you mean to tell me that you laid off my husband

after four years of service and never missed one day and I have to

pay this much money! I can't stand this current government, but I

degres!

So in the end, I had to call the doctor and cancell the surgery. I

have been in tears all day. I want to know why I should have to live

in debilitating pain every day of my life. Is this my life plan. It

is not fair!

I am going to my medical doctor tomorrow and talk to her. There maybe

a hospital around that takes people without insurance who really

needs surgery. My luck it will be a teaching hospital and I will have

different interns, residents and doctors poking me.

I guess beggers can't be choosers.

His company said that they would take care of filing for unemployment

insurance for all employees laid off. My friends boyfriend also got

laid off today.

Thanks for letting me vent and if you have any ideas on how I can get

this surgery done, please let me know! Dawn

December 17, 2008

Yes, You're right about that one Rhonda. It is very

exoensive and no hospital will eat the cost of an

elective surgery. Unless a patient gets cauda equina

symdrome, it is elective.

When a surgeon uses a resident as an assistant, it's

usuallt to hold a retractor or cut suture. They may

allow them to open and close, but that;s usually the

extent of it. Most neurosurgeons are very protective

of the surgery. they know that a small mistake can be

costly so they don't let inexperienced people " muck

around " . Are you sure it wasn't a fellow he was

talking about that he lets put in cages?

I would pay the Cobra by whatever means necessary and

get the surgery done ASAP. It's unusual that the

insurance was stopped right away. I've never heard of

that. Usually you have until the last day of that

month. In that case your doc would have probably fit

your surgery in before that time, but you'd still have

to go to post-op check-ups and therapy and then

there's the medications.

What a bummer. I really feel for you!

---

--- Rhonda <loangoddess1961@...> wrote:

> Not to contradict anything but the surguty I had was

> at a teaching hospital. Ok fact I had to make it

> very clear that I only wanted the neorosurgeom to do

> the operating. Be normally let's the residents open

> and close the site and put in the cage. Who knows

> maybe be didn't listen to me and they did some of

> the work anyway. He did tell me that he uses them as

> assistants. My surgeon is supposed to be one of the

> best on the country. If they do procedures fir free

> it's news to me. Just the implant alone costs

> $63000! Just the fusing liquid they use cost between

> $5 & . $6K.

>

> Thanks!

> Rhonda

>

> On Dec 17, 2008, at 8:17 AM, Babbitt

> <tpowell1977@...> wrote:

>

> I'm so sorry to hear what has happened! That's

> terrible!!!

>

> I have to get ready for work now so I'm making this

> brief.

> I thought you should know that teaching hospitals

> are

> usually better to go to for spine surgery and brain

> surgery because it's so specialized that the

> residents

> don't operate. Only the surgeon and either a PA or

> Fellow assist in surgery. Both of these are highly

> competant positions.Trust me, I'm a spine scrub

> nurse.

> Hope this helps a little.

> ---

> --- lvjamaica2004 <lvjamaica2004@...> wrote:

>

> > I updated you all with a positive report that I

> was

> > set for surgery

> > on Jan. 8th and that I had my support system in

> > place. In other

> > words, everything was a go!

> >

> > My husband went to work at 6:30am this morning and

> > was home by

> > 7:45am. I got up and asked him why he was home. I

> > thought he got sick

> > being I just got over a nasty bug. He said no that

> > he was not sick.

> > He told me he got laid off along with 65 other

> > people! The first

> > thing I thought about was OMG what about the

> > insurance. I called the

> > human resource department and get this, as of

> > seventeen minutes ago,

> > I do not have any health insurance at all!!!

> >

> > The group admin told me that the insurance would

> > expire at midnight

> > tonight. I never heard such a thing. I called

> Anthem

> > BC/BS and they

> > confirmed it. They said I could have cobra, but at

> > what cost I asked

> > them. They said probably around a thousand dollars

> a

> > month!!! I said

> > WHAT!

> >

> > I stated to them, you mean to tell me that you

> laid

> > off my husband

> > after four years of service and never missed one

> day

> > and I have to

> > pay this much money! I can't stand this current

> > government, but I

> > degres!

> >

> > So in the end, I had to call the doctor and

> cancell

> > the surgery. I

> > have been in tears all day. I want to know why I

> > should have to live

> > in debilitating pain every day of my life. Is this

> > my life plan. It

> > is not fair!

> >

> > I am going to my medical doctor tomorrow and talk

> to

> > her. There maybe

> > a hospital around that takes people without

> > insurance who really

> > needs surgery. My luck it will be a teaching

> > hospital and I will have

> > different interns, residents and doctors poking

> me.

> >

> > I guess beggers can't be choosers.

> >

> > His company said that they would take care of

> filing

> > for unemployment

> > insurance for all employees laid off. My friends

> > boyfriend also got

> > laid off today.

> >

> > Thanks for letting me vent and if you have any

> ideas

> > on how I can get

> > this surgery done, please let me know! Dawn

> >

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

December 17, 2008

Rhonda,

Now that mentioned it .....did the company go bankrupt? Cobra for a

family is well over a thousand...if you can pay the 3-400 dollars for cobra

at least for the first month or two....you can get it taken care of........

Deb

From: spinal problems

[mailto:spinal problems ] On Behalf Of

Babbitt

Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 4:59 PM

spinal problems

Subject: Re: I am so angry, I could scream!!!!

Yes, You're right about that one Rhonda. It is very

exoensive and no hospital will eat the cost of an

elective surgery. Unless a patient gets cauda equina

symdrome, it is elective.

When a surgeon uses a resident as an assistant, it's

usuallt to hold a retractor or cut suture. They may

allow them to open and close, but that;s usually the

extent of it. Most neurosurgeons are very protective

of the surgery. they know that a small mistake can be

costly so they don't let inexperienced people " muck

around " . Are you sure it wasn't a fellow he was

talking about that he lets put in cages?

I would pay the Cobra by whatever means necessary and

get the surgery done ASAP. It's unusual that the

insurance was stopped right away. I've never heard of

that. Usually you have until the last day of that

month. In that case your doc would have probably fit

your surgery in before that time, but you'd still have

to go to post-op check-ups and therapy and then

there's the medications.

What a bummer. I really feel for you!

---

--- Rhonda <loangoddess1961@... <mailto:loangoddess1961%40> >

wrote:

> Not to contradict anything but the surguty I had was

> at a teaching hospital. Ok fact I had to make it

> very clear that I only wanted the neorosurgeom to do

> the operating. Be normally let's the residents open

> and close the site and put in the cage. Who knows

> maybe be didn't listen to me and they did some of

> the work anyway. He did tell me that he uses them as

> assistants. My surgeon is supposed to be one of the

> best on the country. If they do procedures fir free

> it's news to me. Just the implant alone costs

> $63000! Just the fusing liquid they use cost between

> $5 & . $6K.

>

> Thanks!

> Rhonda

>

> On Dec 17, 2008, at 8:17 AM, Babbitt

> <tpowell1977@... <mailto:tpowell1977%40> > wrote:

>

> I'm so sorry to hear what has happened! That's

> terrible!!!

>

> I have to get ready for work now so I'm making this

> brief.

> I thought you should know that teaching hospitals

> are

> usually better to go to for spine surgery and brain

> surgery because it's so specialized that the

> residents

> don't operate. Only the surgeon and either a PA or

> Fellow assist in surgery. Both of these are highly

> competant positions.Trust me, I'm a spine scrub

> nurse.

> Hope this helps a little.

> ---

> --- lvjamaica2004 <lvjamaica2004@...

<mailto:lvjamaica2004%40> > wrote:

>

> > I updated you all with a positive report that I

> was

> > set for surgery

> > on Jan. 8th and that I had my support system in

> > place. In other

> > words, everything was a go!

> >

> > My husband went to work at 6:30am this morning and

> > was home by

> > 7:45am. I got up and asked him why he was home. I

> > thought he got sick

> > being I just got over a nasty bug. He said no that

> > he was not sick.

> > He told me he got laid off along with 65 other

> > people! The first

> > thing I thought about was OMG what about the

> > insurance. I called the

> > human resource department and get this, as of

> > seventeen minutes ago,

> > I do not have any health insurance at all!!!

> >

> > The group admin told me that the insurance would

> > expire at midnight

> > tonight. I never heard such a thing. I called

> Anthem

> > BC/BS and they

> > confirmed it. They said I could have cobra, but at

> > what cost I asked

> > them. They said probably around a thousand dollars

> a

> > month!!! I said

> > WHAT!

> >

> > I stated to them, you mean to tell me that you

> laid

> > off my husband

> > after four years of service and never missed one

> day

> > and I have to

> > pay this much money! I can't stand this current

> > government, but I

> > degres!

> >

> > So in the end, I had to call the doctor and

> cancell

> > the surgery. I

> > have been in tears all day. I want to know why I

> > should have to live

> > in debilitating pain every day of my life. Is this

> > my life plan. It

> > is not fair!

> >

> > I am going to my medical doctor tomorrow and talk

> to

> > her. There maybe

> > a hospital around that takes people without

> > insurance who really

> > needs surgery. My luck it will be a teaching

> > hospital and I will have

> > different interns, residents and doctors poking

> me.

> >

> > I guess beggers can't be choosers.

> >

> > His company said that they would take care of

> filing

> > for unemployment

> > insurance for all employees laid off. My friends

> > boyfriend also got

> > laid off today.

> >

> > Thanks for letting me vent and if you have any

> ideas

> > on how I can get

> > this surgery done, please let me know! Dawn

> >

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

December 17, 2008

Dawn.

Why would you not get SSI if your husband doesn't work and you don't

work...unless you have too much money in the bank? Are you speaking about

SSDI (social security disability) or SSI (social security income)? I always

see signs at the fast food places and most of the hospitals hire lay people.

Granted it is almost impossible to live on minimum wage.

Deb

From: spinal problems

[mailto:spinal problems ] On Behalf Of Dawn

Blackwood

Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 4:11 PM

spinal problems

Subject: Re: I am so angry, I could scream!!!!

Sha

I already know about everything you said. I was homeless for six months,

four years ago so I know what is out there. Plus I have filed for SSI three

times and I have been denied. My husband is looking a job, but do you

remember that in the last six months over 200,000 people got laid off!!!!

There is no work. The temp agencies aren't even hiring.

From: lvjamaica2004 <lvjamaica2004>

Subject: I am so angry, I could scream!!!!

spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.com

Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 11:27 PM

I updated you all with a positive report that I was set for surgery

on Jan. 8th and that I had my support system in place. In other

words, everything was a go!

My husband went to work at 6:30am this morning and was home by

7:45am. I got up and asked him why he was home. I thought he got sick

being I just got over a nasty bug. He said no that he was not sick.

He told me he got laid off along with 65 other people! The first

thing I thought about was OMG what about the insurance. I called the

human resource department and get this, as of seventeen minutes ago,

I do not have any health insurance at all!!!

The group admin told me that the insurance would expire at midnight

tonight. I never heard such a thing. I called Anthem BC/BS and they

confirmed it. They said I could have cobra, but at what cost I asked

them. They said probably around a thousand dollars a month!!! I said

WHAT!

I stated to them, you mean to tell me that you laid off my husband

after four years of service and never missed one day and I have to

pay this much money! I can't stand this current government, but I

degres!

So in the end, I had to call the doctor and cancell the surgery. I

have been in tears all day. I want to know why I should have to live

in debilitating pain every day of my life. Is this my life plan. It

is not fair!

I am going to my medical doctor tomorrow and talk to her. There maybe

a hospital around that takes people without insurance who really

needs surgery. My luck it will be a teaching hospital and I will have

different interns, residents and doctors poking me.

I guess beggers can't be choosers.

His company said that they would take care of filing for unemployment

insurance for all employees laid off. My friends boyfriend also got

laid off today.

Thanks for letting me vent and if you have any ideas on how I can get

this surgery done, please let me know! Dawn

December 17, 2008

Dawn,

I am also so sorry to hear about your very upsetting news. Hopefully

you may find a way to pay for a short time of cobra.... I wonder if

you would be eligible for medicaid, or some place that has emergency

benefits... I am taking my son to a clinic in detroit that we were

referred to by the American Indian center. They are related to a

hospital also, and they told me that there is a 25 dollar a year co-

pay, then you can go to the clinic anytime. But help at the indian

center is not just for indians, they also help non-indians. I don't

know what all they have to offer yet, we are still going through the

process for him. You can also get referred to a dentist through

there for basic care.(cleanings, fillings, extractions)

I believe BCBS has just basic coverage plans that are a lot cheaper,

and that would keep you covered so that you would not have a lapse in

coverage. But check out the website for the Department of Healh and

Human Services.... My sister works for them, and I will ask her

about what there is to help in your kind of situation Dear.... and

hang in there. Things will get situated. I know you are feeling

panicky right now, and I don't blame you, I would be too. Again, I

am so sorry to hear about this. What is with these companies that do

this to workers around the holidays ALL THE TIME! I think it is just

outragous! But I'm sure there has to be something out there to help

you. I'm sure you have a lot of prayers going out to you right

now..... and more coming from this end. (((((hugs))))) and God Bless

you. Take Care.

Sue

-- In spinal problems , " lvjamaica2004 "

<lvjamaica2004@...> wrote:

>

> I updated you all with a positive report that I was set for surgery

> on Jan. 8th and that I had my support system in place. In other

> words, everything was a go!

>

> My husband went to work at 6:30am this morning and was home by

> 7:45am. I got up and asked him why he was home. I thought he got

sick

> being I just got over a nasty bug. He said no that he was not sick.

> He told me he got laid off along with 65 other people! The first

> thing I thought about was OMG what about the insurance. I called

the

> human resource department and get this, as of seventeen minutes

ago,

> I do not have any health insurance at all!!!

>

> The group admin told me that the insurance would expire at midnight

> tonight. I never heard such a thing. I called Anthem BC/BS and they

> confirmed it. They said I could have cobra, but at what cost I

asked

> them. They said probably around a thousand dollars a month!!! I

said

> WHAT!

>

> I stated to them, you mean to tell me that you laid off my husband

> after four years of service and never missed one day and I have to

> pay this much money! I can't stand this current government, but I

> degres!

>

> So in the end, I had to call the doctor and cancell the surgery. I

> have been in tears all day. I want to know why I should have to

live

> in debilitating pain every day of my life. Is this my life plan. It

> is not fair!

>

> I am going to my medical doctor tomorrow and talk to her. There

maybe

> a hospital around that takes people without insurance who really

> needs surgery. My luck it will be a teaching hospital and I will

have

> different interns, residents and doctors poking me.

>

> I guess beggers can't be choosers.

>

> His company said that they would take care of filing for

unemployment

> insurance for all employees laid off. My friends boyfriend also got

> laid off today.

>

> Thanks for letting me vent and if you have any ideas on how I can

get

> this surgery done, please let me know! Dawn

>

December 17, 2008

I remember when I got laid off in 2001 and this happened to me too. The cost

of the insurance per month on just a single person was so high that I too

had to let it lapse. But I would think that it would be valid for the entire

month of December. I have never heard of the coverage stopping so soon.

Tonja

-- Re: I am so angry, I could scream!!!!