Question:
Please.. Any Advice plz

My husband was layed off 3 weeks ago. Just before he was about to have surgery on his back. So now we have no insurance and no money at all coming in (besides 210 wk from unemployment. Ive put applications in at every place i know of. See ive never had a job. Ive always been a stay at home mom, so i dont see anyone knocking my doors down to hire me. I live in Biloxi Mississippi. Ive had the surgery and latly ive been REALLY tired. 2 mths ago i went to my ob/gyn and he said my iron was low and he gave me prenatal vit. to take but they havent worked and i need to go see my surgeon. What im asking is what are my options on any insurance so i can see my surgeon and my hubby can have his back operation. And also my son has ADHD and needs bad to see his doctor. His pills without insurance is 250 a mth. Plz remember that the only money we have coming in right now is 210 a week for unemployment com and we have a morgage and a car payment (only one more car payment before its payed off)... I know this has nothing to do with the operation but i needed to ask someone. Maybe someone could give me advice on what my options are. In the past ive always gotton good advice from this forum..Like would my hubby be elegiable for disablity? Thx in advance for any help    — Deanna B. (posted on August 21, 2003)

August 20, 2003
With that income, I would think that you should qualify for government assistance. I'm not up on all the details, but I believe that would include medical care (medicare? medicade?)
   — mom2jtx3

August 20, 2003
Sorry to hear about your misfortune! My prayers/thoughts will be you, as I'm sure others on this site. I would suggest you check with your Dr/Surgeon to see if they can supply you with samples of your medications for both you/hubby, till your situation gets better. Most Drs. get salesmen (drugs/new meds), that leave samples, but most office people take them home for themselves. It's worth a try! Also, try to contact your Salvation Army/Social Security Office and inquire about help for your situation. Ask your Dr who you need to talk to about getting help with no insurance. Also, your Dr's office can give you a list of drug companies that offer free assistance for all those that need and qualify....I know you would! They have to see how much $$$$$ you get and under a certain amount for the year...You would qualify. Ask for help..... I would start 1st at your Dr. I may be able to locate some companies for you. You can e-mail me at [email protected]. I would love to help you/family. God Bless!
   — Hazel S.

August 21, 2003
It sounds to me like your family would more than qualify for medicaid. You need to contact your local department of human services. You might even be able to qualify for food stamps, which could greatly help your family during this time. That is why these programs are there, to help people in need like you and your family. Medicaid would more than cover your son's ADHD and probably your husband's surgery too. I received medicaid and food stamps for about 2 years in 1992-1993 when my son was born and I was going to school. Even after I started working, I didn't make too much money and was still eligible for medicaid until my son was about 5 and I began to make too much money. The programs are in place to help families in need and right now your family is in need, so take care of this immediately.
   — Dawn P.

August 21, 2003
You call the same insurance company that was carying you and your husband the Cobra Law prevents this if you had insurance already before seperation.And make sure you check before the dead line Corbra can be exspensive but you will astill cary your insurance from your job up to 12-18 months longer.
   — ALHOU99

August 21, 2003
I agree with what the others say. I know cobra will be expensive but right now you cannot let your insurance lapse or it will be a real mess to get insurance at a later date. Also your husband most likely needs this surgery so he can be gainfully employed at some point also. What I would suggest is get signed up with cobra and just take any kind of job you can, working anywhere, to at least make enough money to cover the costs of the cobra. Since the insurance covered your WLS it sounds like it's a pretty good policy. Also if you get a full time job somewhere you probably can get insurance through them also and have back-up coverage. Go to grocery stores, Target, Walmart, K-Mart, food places (pick one you hate though), anything. Look into job placement services and the possibility of getting some training. You can always make a job change if something better comes along but just get enough to pay for the cobra insurance and then take the rest as it comes. <p>Is your husband able to work part-time? If so between the two of you, you should be able to get enough for the premiums. Just be careful not to make too much to lose any of his unemployment, unless it's financially beneficial to do so. In WI we have the WI Jobs program, which is a welfare reform. You are not penalized when trying to get training or having to take a lower paying job. They will supplement you with insurance and food and child care etc. as you get training to allow you to earn more. In other words there is no longer an incentive to stay on welfare. They know that the great majority want to work, but in the past they would lose insurance and food stamps if they took that low paying job. It has been a help to a number of people to set them up on a path to be able to fully support themselves on their income. I hope something works out here and soon.
   — zoedogcbr

August 21, 2003
Oh dear, you must be stressig so much. I work for American Express and we have just loads of phone jobs. Incoming Customer Service agents for all sorts of things. The starting pay is great and you get full benefits from the start. The only qualifier is a friendly and pleasing voice. They train you fully before putting you on the phones. I do not think we have any phone center jobs in your town but go to Monster.com and look up the category "customer service" and find a phone job. Most companies have large numbers of those and the jobs have a fair amount of turnover so openings are always there. I would imagine many companies are like Amex (offering the insurance from the day you walk through the door). Good luck and blessings to you and your family. xoxo
   — Donya P.

August 22, 2003
I don't know about your state,(Washington), but my state does offer something called "Healthy Options" that does cover medical, dental, and Rx for children. It is totally free, and there is a sliding scale that determines eligibility. It is not too difficult to qualify. If your state has something like this, it would at least be helpful with your child. You could ask the principal or counselor at your child's school for info. Good luck to you.
   — karentherese