Might be losing my health insurance....

[KBear]

Ughh, I am in between a rock and a hard spot right now. I am facing having to drop my health insurance, because we can't afford it. I have cut my daughter's gymnastics, MDO, my shopping, and many other things. We are still struggling and going deeper and deeper into debt trying to pay our premium, that has went from $300 4 years ago to $980. My other option is to drop my husband and kids health care; but keep me insured because all of my pre-existing stuff. I am so stressed right now and don't know what to do. With the housing market the way it is, I'm locked into my house payment and can't sell and downsize. Not to mention we would take a loss, since we have only been here for 2 years. I am so frustrated, having one of those I want to quit days.....

[Terry Newton]

Another solid reason why we need health care reform. I am so sorry for you. Americans should not be forced to make these kinds of decisions because we are too cheap to pay for affordable health care for all Americans. But we will be involved in a war in two different countries, we'll let our corporations have tax cuts so that they can build companies overseas to avoid our EPA and unions so that a select few shareholders will get richer, we'll scream pro-life and then do our best to avoid taking care of it after it's born because we want to name it socialism so that the greedy will not have to pay more out of their own pockets. We'll selfishly focus on some illegal aliens so that we can avoid the truth. We are selfish and want to look out for number one!

This stuff drives me nuts. Make sure you call your legislature because the spin doctors are out in record numbers telling massive lies so that we can keep our current broken system.

Go with God and you are in my prayers.

[Phylly]

Kathy,
Don't drop your health Insurance! Can you get a higher deductible just to cover catastrophic stuff? Insurance is so expensive but you know how much one little accident can cost. Try to hang on as long as you can.
Phylly

[Katie]

Kathy, I'm so sorry. I'm with Terry on this one. As bad as our system sounds to so many of you, this doesn't happen. But this doesn't need to turn political.

Just know that I am praying for you girl. Do NOT drop your insurance. You will regret it forever. Something will turn around.

[KBear]

Thank you guys for all your support. What I thought couldn't get any worse, did. I got a notice from Unicare saying they are leaving the Texas market. It says that Blue Cross Blue Shield will contact us to offer us a policy to continue our coverage. I wonder if it will even cover me because of all the pre-existing conditions? We were thinking of either dropping my husband and the kids or going to a really high "in case sh%t happens" policy. Now, I'm not sure what we will do. The medical bills are eating us alive, because our insurance barely covers crap in the first place. We don't even have any credit card debt and we are drowning in bills! All of our non-buisness debt is medical, it's crazy. The down economy doesn't help either, since my husband is in landscaping, that's one of the first cuts people make in their budget.

I really wish I would get a ruling on my social security case. If I am awarded disability, then I get medicare, since I will have been disabled for more than 2 years. That would help a whole lot. I guess now all I can do is wait for BCBS to contact us. Or to hear something on my disability.

It's just one of those days when I want to throw my hands in the air and quit!

[Cindylou]

Kathy I am so sorry for this turn of events. I do agree with the folks that said don't drop your insurance. Now with this change coming, they should (BCBS) almost be like a transfer, if you will, so you should still be covered w your pre-existing conditions. At the very most, drop your husband and kiddos so you can keep yourself covered. That could spell worse disaster. You are all in my prayers.

[Katie]

Try not to borrow trouble and anticipate the worst As CL said, you should be a simple transfer. Fingers crossed that this is what happens. I know, easier said than done....

Is there any way to appeal this decision?

Worse comes to worse, you could always move up here We'd love to have you, and the housing market is still booming, so lots of need for landscapers! I'm not sure how you legally get to move here and stay, but my friend is from the US and is just getting her landed immigrant status now. She did it partially because of her daughter, who has major health issues, but also came up for her education. That way I'd get to see my 'adopted' grandkids more often

Is this helping to take your mind off things yet?

[daveinaustin]

Kathy,

Ditto with everybody's comments. I really feel for you about the current state of American health care. But with today's reality, you need to make the right decisions.

Even emergency trips for kids can be very expensive. So you should not drop their insurance.

As you know, you cannot drop your insurance either. I'm not certain, but I heard that if there are no time gaps in insurance, your health issues will not be considered "pre-existing." Once again, though, I'm not positive. However, you do need to somehow keep your insurance going with the new company.

Most likely, you've worked out a comprehensive budget. However, you might need to revisit it and re-evaluate and rank your household expense "needs" vs. "wants."

Maybe you save some money by increasing your house or car deductibles? Hopefully, this doesn't jinx anything to your property!

Also, if you have cable movie channels or Netflix, you might be able to save some money by using redbox. Purchasing "Hill Country" brand vs. name brands at HEB helps save money as well. Saving $20-30 here and there really adds up!

As a parent, it must have been very painful to drop your girl's gymnastic classes. If there is a YMCA in the neighborhood, they have reduced rate programs to help those in need. Hopefully you can qualify.


I'm praying for you and sincerely hope your social security ruling occurs soon.

Hang in there!

-Dave

[Katie]

Kathy, my 5 am comments were in jest of course, and now it's time to get a bit more serious. Dave has some excellent ideas, and maybe there are other money saving plans out there.

How about your phone? Do you have cells plus a land line at home? Can that be eliminated? And I always shopped at consignment stores for my family's clothing. Children outgrow rather than wear out their clothing, and there are wonderful finds out there. My heart races at the thought of paying full price for clothing, so I go to consignment shops too or wait for giant sales.

It is so very scary how quickly our fortunes can change. Just one person losing their job, even a reduction in income or falling ill can change our lives in such radical ways.

It has a way of bringing the family closer together though that good times do not. All the best to everyone and have faith that it will work out for the best.

[Justin]

Kathy,

I'm sorry that you are stuck in this situation. Insurance companies are truly the problem here... we need reform.

Good luck in your decision.