Cobra Health benefits? Where to apply?

[toysrus]

Yo guys. Ok, i was laid off from my job . Currently I have no insurance as of yesterday. How and where do i apply for Cobra benefits? I already asked my former employer, its been 8 days, they still have not mailed any cobra info. I called my former employer, everyday they say it will be mailed tomorrow. I cant get them to mail the cobra forms.

So my question is, where can i apply for Cobra myself? How do i go about this?

I have a seizure disorder and cannot afford the meds without coverage. And our son has bad asthma.



Anybody been in this situation?

Thanks

[jds1911a1]

if your employer isn't getting you the forms be sure to contact your state unemployment agency

COBRA is the name of the insurance not a company or agency so be careful of "cobra" insureance websites

[apes3978]

~~~I already asked my former employer, its been 8 days, they still have not mailed any cobra info. I called my former employer, everyday they say it will be mailed tomorrow. I cant get them to mail the cobra forms.~~~

In addition to what jds said about calling the state unemplyment agency, keep calling your former work place... Tell them that instead of gossiping in the breakroom, they should get off their a**es and get the forms to you... That or tell them that you think the forms must have got lost in the mail so if they'd leave the paperwork at the front desk, you'd swing by and pick it up yourself...

[toysrus]

thanks guys. Been on the phone all morning. Because i had a bad parting with my previous employer , they are playing games. I did contact my human resources, they said they will prepare and mail the forms tomorrow, yet when i called the labor board they said they have 45 days. Anyway it appears to cover my family it will cost 920 a month!! Not sure what to do next, low on cash, but my unemployment will not cover the cobra and mortgage thats for sure. Look like i will be selling most of my toys, comics and everything soon!

Anybody even collect comics anymore?

~~~I already asked my former employer, its been 8 days, they still have not mailed any cobra info. I called my former employer, everyday they say it will be mailed tomorrow. I cant get them to mail the cobra forms.~~~

In addition to what jds said about calling the state unemplyment agency, keep calling your former work place... Tell them that instead of gossiping in the breakroom, they should get off their a**es and get the forms to you... That or tell them that you think the forms must have got lost in the mail so if they'd leave the paperwork at the front desk, you'd swing by and pick it up yourself...

[toys2cool]

I think Destro's in charge of recruiting sorry someone had to post it..good luck man

[Doc]

I think Destro's in charge of recruiting sorry someone had to post it..good luck man
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...cobra_logo.jpg

Thank you I was so going to do that if no one else did.

[huedell]

I'm not even a GI JOE guy and still I was thinking this was going to be
some kind of GI JOE parody thread. Nice Destro reference T2cool... he's
iconic to me...get Zartan to offer accounting services and that's all I need!

[toysrus]

LOL! With all the stress I have been under that made me laugh! Classic.

I think Destro's in charge of recruiting sorry someone had to post it..good luck man
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...cobra_logo.jpg

[Adam West]

COBRA is federally mandated. Your employer has to offer to you. The downside (as you are finding out) is that you pay 100% of the premium.

It might be worth looking around for other health insurance and see if you can be covered less expensively even with the pre-existing conditions.

I had a problem with a former employer but it was almost the opposite situation. I left a company on bad terms and started with another employer right away. Unbeknownst to me, my former employer deducted two months of health insurance from my final paycheck even though I had health insurance right away with my new company. When I called the old company to tell them I didn't need or want the insurance they basically told me to go pound sand. I didn't sign a form saying I didn't want it, so by default, I got it, even though I distinctly remember I wasn't given the form to sign during my exit interview. I simply got them back by scheduling physicals for every family member and bought a brand new cpap machine for myself since they were being difficult with me.

[megocrazy]

Anyway it appears to cover my family it will cost 920 a month!!

You got off easy at $920. Mine is $1350 to retain my BCBS. Of course I have a $500 deductible that began in May, before I was laid off, so I have to pay that as well. One for my account and one for my wife. Gonna cost me almost $9000 to keep my family covered for the rest of the year. OUCH! There are some programs open but it seems I make too much to qualify for any of them. Medical has been the biggest issue about being laid off.

[jwyblejr]

I think Destro's in charge of recruiting sorry someone had to post it..good luck man
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...cobra_logo.jpg

I thought Tomax and Xamot were in charge of insurance?

[sprytel]

Part of the stimulus bill was a partial subsidy of COBRA benefits. It has since lapsed, but there is legislation pending that would extend it. I'm not sure of all the details... but it might be something to read up on.

Good luck. Hopefully you will find something else quickly.

[toys2cool]

I thought Tomax and Xamot were in charge of insurance?

Extensive Enterprises

[LadyZod]

I don't know how it goes in other states, but I know that in the state of FL if a child as a condition that mandates regular use of prescription medicine (ADD or Asthma) and a parent has been laid off (or have a low income) they can qualify for one of the many medicaid programs thru Wellcare. One program, Healthy Kids is a paid program where it costs the parent something like $15 a month and carries a $5 or $10 copay per visit.

There is also a Medicaid program called "Share of Cost". It is for folks who make too much to qualify for straight Medicaid, but not enough to cover living expenses and regular health insurance (like high priced COBRA benefits.) The Department of Children and Families will assess your "Share of cost", AKA what you can reasonably afford and pretty much say you're responsible for that much each month, and any amount over that is covered by medicaid. Think of it as a monthly deductible of $100 or so. Since much more reasonable than COBRA, especially with the current financial climate in this country.

I urge those of you who find yourselves in this situation, with preexisting conditions, loss of employment, medical need, to contact your state's Department of Children and Families and at least check to see if you qualify for any of your state's programs. They usually have these outline on their website.

While you were employed, you financed these programs thru your taxes. If you can use them now, use them. It's what they are there for.

[MegoAddict]

COBRA INSURANCE?WOW...sounds umm kinda shady..here in Canada it's free, but i would stay away from anything that has Cobra infront og health anything lol..