Health Insurance HELP!!!!!!

[k-289]

It's pretty sad when a medical outfit cuts health insurance---like working for a dairy but can't get milk---wife is facing same deal with benefits  ----to much" new brick and motor" so cut the bene's---  Washington doesn't get it on either side of the isle about the unfunded promises made a few years back---so the working class pays the bill through higher premiums and more taxes---Medicare expenditures will have to dealt with sometime when congress has the backbone---thought's and prayers for your family ! 

[Kay/NC]

Just wanted to say "thanks" for sharing your expertise here.  I think a couple of us vaguely felt COBRA was a possibility, but it takes specialized knowledge when it comes ot benefits. 

Can you inform us if the government's contributions to COBRA are still in  effect, and if so, how that might apply to this situation?

[linda/IL]

I would go to the supervisor or whoever's in charge & explain the situation & ask for special consideration for more hours.

Then I'd do as advised here & talk to my congressman.  Cobra is terribly expensive but works.  In many states there are Child 1st insurance programs that might be available.  Perhaps the state agency for human resources might shed some light on some possibilities.  Sure feel for you.  Even with insurance and DS in good health, we still have those bills due to follow up appointments & tests making sure he's healthy.  I'm glad everything is going well here but don't know if we'll ever see a time without hospital bills.  Hope things work out for your family.

[lawinkle]

How long can you get covered through COBRA? 

I heard that it had been extended due to the high unemployment...people could not find new jobs and those they found frequently did not have health insurance coverage. 

Do you happen to know what the new time limit is?  thanks.

[lawinkle]

My comment was based on something I read from the reform act that said that employers with more than 50 employees will be forced to pay a $2000 per employee penalty for any employees over the first 30 that they do not provide coverage for.  The penalty is $3000 per employee under certain other circumstances. 

For many companies, this fine is cheaper than the cost of providing single coverage and definitely cheaper than providing family coverage for their employees.  Some may just opt to stop covering employees and pay the fine instead.