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Question

I went through a divorce, my ex carried my health ins.at her work, I had my own before but hers was better coverage.After the divorce she let it go without telling me and I soon after was un insurable. I earn a decent income and I am sure above getting any medicaide etc. I recently was again hospitalized with tremendus medical debt.I am hard working but I can't ever pay them off and I know how to do away with what I owe but how can I get insurance and where, and if I could get it there's a year waiting for prexisting, the ironly is I use to be an insurance agent. Ideas?

Answer 1

There are several alternatives, although only the first two will get these medical bills paid.

1) Check the terms of your Consent Agreement granting your divorce to ensure your wife was not obligated to provide insurance for you. If she terminated your coverage in violation of the divorce decree, you may have a basis to insist the insurer reinstate you.

2) Call the insurer and see whether you qualify for COBRA. If you haven't received your paperwork, you may have to call your ex-wife's employer to get it. If you have trouble, call your local U. S. Department of Labor office to request assistance.

3) Contact your state's insurance commissioner and ask if there's a "high risk pool" for uninsurables in your state. While you're at it, make sure state law permits your ex-wife to cancel your coverage. In the state where I work, this is prohibited; only the ex-spouse can cancel the coverage following a divorce, even if he or she was insured as a dependent.

4) Did you receive a "Certificate of Creditable Coverage" (aka "HIPAA Certificate") when your coverage ended? You may use this to purchase an individual policy without your pre-existing condition being considered IF you have enough creditable coverage AND your group coverage hasn't been lapsed for more than 63 days. Call your state's insurance commissioner for a list of insurers that offer this type of coverage.

5) If you are employed with an employer that offers group insurance coverage, you may (depending upon your state's laws) elect coverage through the group. Check with your Human Resources Department at work.

6) If you don't currently work, if you obtain employment in the future, chances are your employer's group plan doesn't impose a pre-existing condition exclusionary period. If they do, and your group coverage hasn't been lapsed for more than 63 days, you can use your Certificate of Creditable Coverage to reduce or extinguish your pre-ex period.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

State farm offers really good medical insurance (most people know it for car ins) You can custom your plan to whatever you need, ex: if you go to the hospital a lot you'll want to get a lower deductible. They are also very good at changing your plan whenever your medical needs change. As for paying off your medical bills you should probably have them consolidated so you can pay a couple of hundred a month with a very low interest rate.

Answer 3

Many states have have 'risk pool' health insurance coverage for people with severe medical problems and can't get insurance coverage from insurance companies.

You could go to work with an employer that offers health insurance.

Answer 4

Time frame is important, if you have a change of status, you would have an open enrollment at your place of employment, all you would have to do is contact your HR....other options you might consider is at least getting yourself a major medical policy...these offer major medical with high deductibles to make it affordable to you...