I really screwed up this time.

[Windwalker]

If your on these boards a lot you know I have PPMS and have been recently approved for Ampyra. Also, I see a Neurologist at the Barrow Clinic in Phoenix. In addition, there are several prescription medications I am dependent on.

I definitely suffer more from physical symptoms than cognitive but have always recognized I have lost a lot of the mental sharpness I once possessed.

Although I am severely physically disabled and suffer from these losses of cognitive skills, I still am responsible for taking basic care of myself and for tasks such as paying household bills, handling various medical and insurance related issues and other financial related issues such as taxes, etc.

My spouse works 30+ hours a week and we have a minor child to care for. I clearly have been overwhelmed and cannot function at the same level I could just a few month’s ago.

I forgot to pay my COBRA premiums on time. I let it slip past the 30 day grace period and they Terminated my coverage. How did I allow this to happen? I know it's the disease but it's hard not to blame myself.

I have appealed stating how MS affects your cognitive abilities and produces symptoms like memory loss, confusion and forgetfulness but I have little hope for success. It does not seem to be about the money because I immediately offered to pay multiple payments, which would have me current through June...they don't do that, it's not a Credit Card.

MS is sneaky...this one left me totally dumbfounded and in shock. I come here for support and as a coping mechanism. To borrow a line from the 'Stones'...I am shattered...my life is in tatters...sha-do-bee!

[Jules A]

I'm sorry to hear this and hope they agree to let you pay and join again.

This is a good message for us all. For those things that absolutely have to be paid on time, like my disability insurance, we need a safety net.

Either another person in the family to double check it or a reminder of some sort set up for ourselves because some things we can't afford to miss.

[Lendi]

I"m sorry. This has to be hard for you for sure. A double whammy. I sure hope something works out for you.

[Camsue]

good vibes~~~~

I'm sorry too... sending good vibes and prayers that it works out

[0485c10]

This doesn't help with the current situation, fo that i am sending my best hope because you had a reason fotr it happening. When not working its tough to remember what day of the week it is.

have you thought of.. or does your bank offer some type of online billing?--that way you can set up when things are paid automatically without having to remember to do it or buy a stamp to mail the check.

many banks & credit unions offer that service now.

[1_4_Kimberly]

So sorry to hear about your situation, that is awful. It is awful what this MS can do to us.

I forget a lot so I set all my alarms and reminders on my phone for simple things like, time to get up, time to go get the kids, next load of laundry.

But one of my biggest fears is missing a payment for something. There's only so much an excel spreadsheet, post-it note reminders all the way around my monitor and a fridge covered with notes can do if I don't remember to keep reading them, or can't remember what I was doing 30 seconds earlier. I hope it works out for you.

[heliotrope]

I don't know if this helps, but found this: https://www.azdes.gov/main.aspx?menu=8&id=46. Might be something there of use.

[Redwings]

I'm so sorry this happened. I hope that, after the shock wears off, you can forgive yourself for making a simple, human mistake. Sometimes that's the hardest thing of all.

[NotMadCow]

Have you considered contacting a lawyer? Perhaps the threat of litigation may sway them.

[onlyairfare]

I am sorry you are having to go through all this, as being uninsured when you have MS can be a terrible burden, given the cost of medications, MRI's and specialty neurology. Barrow may have a program for people without insurance, so you might want to ask their social services department.

People with expensive illnesses will be turned down by any insurance company that is not required by law to insure them. They know that only desperate people with expensive illnesses take COBRA to begin with, so the company takes any possible excuse to cancel their policies. That is why the company won't take you back even when you are willing to pay all the premium due. They know they will lose money on you, and that is all they care about - the bottom line. I used to be a health insurance executive, so I am very familiar with this.

But, Arizona may have a "high risk insurance pool" set up to insure Arizonans who have been turned down by other carriers. Federal funds are used to subsidize the cost until 2014 when the health care reform law goes into effect, and insurers won't be allowed to turn you down because you are already sick. You can probably find out more by calling the State Insurance Commissioner's Office and asking about this.

Is it possible your wife can get family health insurance through her job? This is usually available once a year during "open enrollment," but it can also happen at other times when there is a "qualifying event" - like losing your other insurance. You may have to take immediate action (within 62 days of losing your insurance) or you might not be eligible.

Your minor child may be eligible for insurance through the SCHIP program - State Children's Health Insurance Program. If you are totally and permanently disabled, you may be able to apply for SSDI, and after two years of that, you are eligible for Medicare. In between those two years, AHCCCS (the Arizona Medicaid program) might cover you.

There may also be a Community Health Center nearby where you can receive medical care with fees on a sliding scale depending on income; they will often help you get meds, tests and specialist consults at reduced costs.

Good luck with all this!

[Windwalker]

Thanks

A very sincere thank you for the kind words of support...it does make a difference.

[Windwalker]

How to get a Late Payment Reinstatement-COBRA

Believe it or not, I got it reinstated. Because I wish this information had been available to me when this happened...I am explaining how to do it. I heard it happens all the time.
Moderators, if there is a better place for this info., put it there...for knowledge is power.

Step 1: You space out or are overwhelmed in general and forget to pay within the 30 day grace period. A Termination notice is sent...it is cold...you freak out and are very emotional.

Step 2: You have the right to appeal. They want the Appeal letter immediately...don't procrastinate at all.
DO NOT threaten legal action or make any negative or angry statements. You want to sue? You will lose!

Take full responsibility for what happened, because it was your responsibility, and explain your condition and how important insurance coverage is for you. Respectfully ask for a Late Payment Reinstatement.

Step 3: It turns out that your former employer has the majority say, if not the entire say in the decision to reinstate. After all, it's their Group Health Plan. Call them, talk to the person in charge of Group Health Benefits and make a respectful personal plea for reinstatement.

Step 4: Pray!...and be ready to pay up immediately.

Notes:

See how important it is to leave your employer on good terms. I read a legal case where a man who was Terminated from the employer wound up 1 day late and had his coverage Terminated. They denied reinstatement. He sued..He lost!

I knew the person in charge of Benefits at my former employer. She was so kind...actually giving me input as to when I would be able to send in the premium.

Larger companies administer their own COBRA...it's not likely you will know the Benefits Manager. Reach out to the highest level person you know in the company and they may help you plead your case. My situation was that a 3rd Party was the Administrator.

[Jules A]

This is great news!

[onlyairfare]

That is great news! I am so relieved for you, as I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to deal with COBRA since we struggle every month to make that huge payment (much larger than our mortgage) while my husband is unemployed.

Lucky your (former) company is apparently self-insured and can make their own decision about your coverage, instead of being strictly at the mercy of an insurance company exec who cares only about the bottom line.

[Windwalker]

Lucky your (former) company is apparently self-insured and can make their own decision about your coverage, instead of being strictly at the mercy of an insurance company exec who cares only about the bottom line.

That part I did not know. Obviously luck played a part in this. I'm glad I was unaware...knowledge may be power but in some cases ignorance is bliss.