Health care reform can't come too soon for me

[beltainelady]

I swear, I don't get a break. My COBRA premium is now 150% because I'm using the disability extension until I qualify for Medicare in October. I pay $541.88 a month, and that's after dropping my dental. I looked into private insurance, but because I have an existing condition, I will be denied. I don't qualify for the COBRA subsidy because I started prior to Sept 1, 2008. I don't qualify for the high risk pool because I have COBRA.

Will and I could get married, but the insurance premium he'd pay is about the same as I'm paying now, plus I'd lose eligibility for Liana's ALLKids program (state health for kids).

So I'm stuck paying out nearly half my monthly disability payment for my health insurance. Amazing how they can get away with it, isn't it? Thank the Gods I have Will, not just because he supports me financially, but because he supports me in all the other important ways as well.

*sigh*

Comments

[herbmcsidhe.livejournal.com]

My understanding is that if you have COBRA, you can't be turned down for pre-existing conditions. I could be wrong, so double check it.

[beltainelady.livejournal.com]

I can be turned down because it's private insurance, not employer-based. If I got a job and got insurance, my COBRA would give me HIPAA credit for previous insurance but it's not that way with private insurance underwriting.