health insurence?

Question

My father has worked for a trucking company for a few years now and has always carried helth insurence through the company. Last week they descovered that he has life threating cancer and time could be rather short. if he is made unable to work because of this cancer will the company still have to continue to offer or pay health insurence? we are not a rich family and these treatments can become very expensive.

Answer 1

Sorry to hear about your father. He needs to meet with someone in the HR department as soon as possible. Since he has worked for the company for years, and if the company is large enough, he may qualify for FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act). That gives him time to get treatment (12 weeks unpaid), but they have to keep his position at the company open until he returns. While he is on FMLA, if he was covered by health insurance, his employer must maintain that coverage while he is on leave. He would still be responsible for his portion of the health insurance premiums that he normally would pay. After FMLA runs out, he would then qualify for COBRA. COBRA will give him the same coverage, but the cost will be fairly high. He will have the opportunity to insure his entire family, he and his spouse, or just himself. If cost is an issue, then he probably should choose the option for himself.

He also needs to see if he has either a short-term or long-term disability policy. Many companies offer these to their employees, and if he has them, it will provide him income while he is off work. He can apply for Social Security disability after he has been totally disabled for 5 months. They will look at his case and if he is determined to be disabled by their panel, he will start getting Social Security disability income. He cannot qualify for Medicare for 2 years after becoming disabled. Depending on his financial situation, he may qualify for Medicaid.

It is important at a time like this that your father work with someone in the Human Resources department at his company. The benefits offered by companies can be confusing, and things like FMLA and COBRA require specific forms to be filled out and filed with the Federal Government. Also, things like his life insurance (if he has it through his company) need to be kept current so he doesn't lose that coverage.

I know this is a lot to absorb in a short space of time, but don't procrastinate and don't try to wade through this alone. Make sure he has an advocate at his company who can help him with the process. Worrying about his insurance benefits and other things are the last thing he needs. Good luck to you all and I hope he whips this thing.

Answer 2

Companies offer the same health care plan the person had through Cobra. But the premiums are out of this world. If your father is forced to be home due to the cancer or the treatments. Then he should contact the social security office and get the forms to apply for SSDI. Once approved he will automatically be qualified for medicaid or depending on his age maybe medicare. Once he is on SSDI, if he goes into remission or is cured and can return to work benefits will stop. But at least he will be able to have a little income and medical coverage. If for some reason he gets denied SSDI the first time out, make sure to file the appeal. That way when he gets approved they have to pay him from the date of the original application. Good luck.

Answer 3

If he can no longer work, there is a point where you would have to pay the premiums to keep the insurance going. It is called COBRA. Talk with who ever is in personnel at his place of work to find out what you can do. Talk also with a medical social worker to see if there are any other options for your dad. They could be in a hospital, home health agency and some medical programs. Also check with the American Cancer Society if they have any support programs. Good luck.

Answer 4

Tell father to do the exercises as described.He will be able to fight the cancer without cost.
Cancer hates oxygen and cannot live in a high-oxygen environment.If you want to supplement the medical treatment you receive(or not receive) with some alternative therapy then this is for you. You need to help your body to build up your immune system.The breathing exercises - pranayam is a holistic approach creating extra oxygen supply in the body and will slowly help with the health problem.Do the pranayam to see the benefits.Build up your timing slowly and after four weeks at the suggested maximum duration you will start to notice benefits gradually.
What is known:Do the pranayam and reap the health benefit.How it works in the body is not known – but people may build their own theory.
The small print: Keep doing pranayam after you are better for minimum 30 minutes a day for rest of life to maintain health.

People who have been treated successfully, should do pranayam as well, as there is a chance of recurrence.
Monitor your conditions/results regularly and it will help you and others observe the progress.List existing conditions with any levels/numbers time spent on toilet seat,weight,BP,dental/eye/ear conditions including eye prescription numbers,sleep problems,blood results etc.

The pranayam techniques:
Bhastrika - Take a long deep breath into the lungs(chest not tummy) via the nose and then completely breathe out through the nose.Duration upto 5 minutes.

Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for upto 30 minutes twice a day.(Max 60 min/day) Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.

Anulom Vilom - Deep Breath-in through left nostril keeping right nostril closed
then - Breath-out through right nostril keeping left nostril closed
then -Deep Breath-in through right nostril keeping left nostril closed
then - Breath-out through left nostril keeping right nostril closed
and repeat this cycle for upto 30 minutes twice a day(maximum 60 min/day).

Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee.
Duration : 5 to 10 times

Only by doing you will benefit and will feel good that you can do something to help the body.Copy and print this to improve your technique and stay focused.This is simplified pranayam for everyone and you do not have to go to classes to learn. This is for life, unlike short term classes where you do it in the class then stop when classes are over.

Answer 5

They have to offer to continue it but don't have to pay for it. (Your father would have to continue to pay the full premium out of pocket)

If he is unable to work, though, he may be able to get Medicaid and SSDI, depending on the situation (and the state you live in)