cj's dad
03-19-2014, 03:36 PM
This is not anecdotal but a reality story as it is happening to me.
I was furloughed from my job on March 8-2013. The company paid me 1 hour per week/2 hours per pay period. This amount covered my bi-weekly health care insurance co-pay. In late September I received a letter from my employer stating that as of 10-1 I was going to lay-off status and would not be covered by health care. I was also told that I would receive a letter detailing my options under COBRA. I received the letter in mid- December. The cost was $500+ per month. I could not afford that. In January I applied for Medicare Part B. The SSA agent told me this could take up to 60 days to process.I explained to him that I was waiting for my COBRA letter to decide. I sent a copy of all correspondence between myself, my employer and COBRA. I received my new card on Friday 3-14. The effective date of my part B coverage is July 1, 2014. I will be 3 1/2 months without Dr's coverage.
Today I called SSA and spoke to an agent who explained about open enrollment periods and how they work. She was more concerned that I did not have health care insurance form 10/1 through January when I applied for plan B. I explained that I was waiting to see what my options were under COBRA so that I could decide which way to go. She said that I may be fined for not being covered, yet the gov't is so concerned about my welfare that I will not be covered until July 1.
This isn't about health care, it's all about $$$
I was furloughed from my job on March 8-2013. The company paid me 1 hour per week/2 hours per pay period. This amount covered my bi-weekly health care insurance co-pay. In late September I received a letter from my employer stating that as of 10-1 I was going to lay-off status and would not be covered by health care. I was also told that I would receive a letter detailing my options under COBRA. I received the letter in mid- December. The cost was $500+ per month. I could not afford that. In January I applied for Medicare Part B. The SSA agent told me this could take up to 60 days to process.I explained to him that I was waiting for my COBRA letter to decide. I sent a copy of all correspondence between myself, my employer and COBRA. I received my new card on Friday 3-14. The effective date of my part B coverage is July 1, 2014. I will be 3 1/2 months without Dr's coverage.
Today I called SSA and spoke to an agent who explained about open enrollment periods and how they work. She was more concerned that I did not have health care insurance form 10/1 through January when I applied for plan B. I explained that I was waiting to see what my options were under COBRA so that I could decide which way to go. She said that I may be fined for not being covered, yet the gov't is so concerned about my welfare that I will not be covered until July 1.
This isn't about health care, it's all about $$$