Comment by elaine peterson on September 29, 2009 at 6:17pm

I thought that a terminated employee had to be given time to opt for COBRA. It sounds as tho someone messed up. Yours is a perfect example of why national health care is being considered. People with insurance coverage like to say that those that don't have it just don't want to work. I have great coverage...always have, but I know that in this economic climate, it could go away at any moment. I doubt that there's a conspiracy of people enjoying seeing ill people not being able to afford treatment. I suspect rather, that it is a case of people saying that "It can't happen to me....I don't want to pay more taxes to cover people who must have brought their lack of coverage upon themselves." Your situation is an example of how it could be any of us at any time.
Good luck to you...I will be anxious to hear other replies......

Comment by Gerri on September 29, 2009 at 7:19pm

That HR person needs to be laid off. The COBRA option is supposed to be offered right away so there's no lapse in coverage. You seem to have a case since you paid into your insurance plan.

Have you applied for unemployment insurance?

Comment by Knox's Dad on September 30, 2009 at 8:31am

Elaine excellent point... most people (myself included) don't think it will happen to them. Hence, a tremenous amount of apathy from the general public.
FYI, I did in fact get the cobra option in the mail yesterday. Just seemed like the door was slammed when I went to the pharmacy. No time wasted that's for sure! The HR folks everywhee I think have a fine balance of woking for an employer but also working for the employee a dangerous position to be in I believe. I give all HR folks a tip of the cap because the unreasonable expectation from all parties is perfection!
So, tomorrow we go on my wife's plan. If on today we would need to pay for the whole prior month!
Therefor, no broken bones, ER trips or Rx refills today.

So, in a way the sun rises again tomorrow... health coverage wise.
As an individual with diabetes I would like to see the ADA, JDRF, AADE and AMA get in sync with lobbying on behalf of folks with diabetes. I guess all these years I took so much for granted. I have never,ever been without health insurance, not for 1 minute.
Time for me to climb on board and begin advocating on behalf of diabetes issues. For years I was very proactive and then I started to work in the industry. Your hands get tied, in a way. I am eager to see what ideas there are out there for proper diabetes coverage, not craziness but making sure what is needed is available.
I read a piece on line awhile back about a small organization that takes used insulin pumps and gets them refurbished by the manufacturer and then distributes to those in need. I am not sure if it was a local/state or regional program but how many of us could contribute to that ? Many, am sure. Last year the gave out 20 pumps. There is a program I would support!

Well a new day is here and the sun shines, the breeze flows and the cool crisp air of autumn is here.
Going out to look at the leaves changing color today.
Life is good .... for most of us.
thanks all....

Knox's dad
(and Erica's too)

Comment by elaine peterson on September 30, 2009 at 1:47pm

A member here, I think it was Patti Lopez, introduced me to my new life motto......"Too blessed to be stressed." ("I'm just here for the party," is the close 2nd.) It's tough when things go so wrong, but I try and tell myself that it could always be worse. Just keep counting those blessings........

Comment by Knox's Dad on September 30, 2009 at 2:07pm

A big 10-4 to you Elaine!
I hear you loud and clear.
So far this week Knox and Juyeon (our exchange student from Korea) have both been sent home by the school nurse. I was here and able to take care of things pronto.
Makes me feel real good.
There will be a day 3 post this evening.
Thanks....
Knox's dad
(Erica's as well)

Comment by Dori S on September 30, 2009 at 2:45pm

Unfortunately what happens in these situations is that there are a few days to a week where you don't have coverage. It will take a few days for the cobra paperwork to get to you. Once you accept cobra you can then be reimbersed for expenses that occurred because it will be retroacted to your last day of employment. Been there and done that. It took almost 2 months for cobra to get processed and kick in and then you had topay the premium for the current as well as the previous month and cobra isn't cheap!

Comment by Knox's Dad on September 30, 2009 at 5:19pm

Dori -

I hear you! Years ago I had to pick up Cobra and OUCH!!
Thankfully my wife's employer will allow us to transfer over asap, once the docs stating that insurance was canceled were available. So tomorrow we go on the new plan. No need for Cobra but.......
not everyone has a working spouse with good benefits, right?
You have all been very polite and your input has been very valuable.
Most importantly your support has meant a tremendous amount.
I'll be back to blogging non work issues tonight.
I love the opportunity to interact with the world from my living room!!
be well....

Knoxs dad
(also Erica's!)

Comment by Marie B on October 1, 2009 at 7:49am

the organization that distributes the used pumps is called ipump - it is run by our TuDiabetes member, Lahle Wolfe

Comment by Knox's Dad on October 1, 2009 at 10:21am

Thanks Marie!

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