Sue, I believe she'd be able to have COBRA for up to 12 or 18 months, but it's extremely expensive (though Obama's administration has discounted the cost). But it's pretty much the only way to continue coverage with a pre-existing condition right now (short of her getting a new job).

Sue, the only people not eligible for COBRA are those who are fired with just cause. It's considered continuation of coverage, so pre-existing conditions do not apply. And it will cost her exactly 102% of the cost of the coverage, regardless of her illness (although I don't know how much the new discount will affect that). However, I think any deductibles or out of pocket limits she's already reached this year will not carry over, she'll have to pay those again.

Oh, that sucks, msbelle.

I've heard y'all talk about COBRA insurance after losing a job. Won't she qualify for COBRA? And can they disqualify her from COBRA because she is so sick? Considering how sick she is (cancer in her brain, lungs, skin, and arms), does it cost more?

But that situation really sucks. I'm pretty sure the deal with COBRA is that because it's keeping your current insurance, there aren't the disqualification issues with changing insurance. Also what javachik said.

Sue, I believe she'd be able to have COBRA for up to 12 or 18 months, but it's extremely expensive (though Obama's administration has discounted the cost). But it's pretty much the only way to continue coverage with a pre-existing condition right now (short of her getting a new job).

Thanks. I have found an FAQ about COBRA in NY that I sent to my friend and explained what little I knew of it. I'm sure extremely expensive COBRA payments are cheaper than whatever her chemo is costing.

Is that one of the things mandated by California?

Not that I know of, but I'm not positive...

I'm sure extremely expensive COBRA payments are cheaper than whatever her chemo is costing.

Absolutely. Deb G was on it and it was scary expensive but covered her Avonex (super expensive shot for MS-related ills) iirc.

My surgery was when I was on COBRA. Actually, I hadn't yet decided to continue my insurance when I first ended up in the emergency room, but because NYU's bureaucracy had taken so long to inform me about the COBRA decision I essentially got retroactive coverage.

ETA: For me, COBRA was about $550/month, but still far cheaper than my surgery probably was.

I believe you always have 90 days to elect COBRA, and it goes retroactively (if you pay the 3 months of premiums).

90 days from the date you're notified, and your employer has 60 days to notify you. If they wait the sixty days, and you elect 90 days after that, you get coverage retro to when you lost your coverage, as long as you pay those five months of premiums. If you're on good terms with your ex-employer, it's a good way to hedge your bets for five months. (I used to administer paperwork for COBRA coverage.)

I got stuck on the UES after therapy. The entire subway station at 86th St was closed off by the police, due to a "suspicious package".