Breast Cancer Questions

  • maryray's Avatar

    I have a question about health insurance, specifically I am coming to the end of COBRA and will end up on HIPAA guaranteed insurance.

    Asked by maryray on Monday, November 12, 2012

    I have a question about health insurance, specifically I am coming to the end of COBRA and will end up on HIPAA guaranteed insurance.

    I have been on my husbands Humana insurance for years and have always received excellent service. He left his job last year, and we have been on COBRA, which will end in January. He is healthy, so he'll just continue with a Humana individual plan. However, I am in the middle of chemotherapy for breast cancer, and still have reconstructive surgery after that. I assume my only choice is to get on HIPAA guaranteed health insurance as a Federally Eligible Individual. DOES ANYONE have this type of insurance, have any advice on what company has the best coverage for my situation, or any other advice on what I should do? I have contacted Humana but am not hearing back. I am particularly concerned about how I will pay for a year of Herceptin and the reconstruction.

    5 Answers from the Community

    5 answers
    • nancyjac's Avatar
      nancyjac

      HIPPAA is not any insurance, it is a law which reqires health insurance providers to provide coverage to those in transitional circumstances, such as from group to private heath insurance or vise versa. You would have the same options your husband does.

      over 4 years ago
    • karen1956's Avatar
      karen1956

      I wish I could help...but I don't have any knowledge regarding this...I hope you get the answers you need....

      over 4 years ago
    • blondie's Avatar
      blondie

      Contact the local office and tell them what is happening. Maybe the hospital has a business office that can help.

      over 4 years ago
    • Elle's Avatar
      Elle

      Glad you asked this question as I am in the same boat. I'm looking forward to following this to see if any other answers help. Good luck to us both!

      over 4 years ago
    • maryray's Avatar
      maryray

      http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_hipaa.html#.UKHgaIawUmg

      This is the Federal information page that leads me to believe I am headed into a "high risk pool" in Ohio, and that my pre-existing condition can be excluded from coverage. When I spoke to Humana, they agreed that yes, I would not be eligible for any of their "normal" individual plans, and my only option would be their high-risk pool. I haven't gotten a response from the high risk people at Humana! This stress is not helping my blood pressure.

      over 4 years ago

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