Need help immediately in TX

[RightIsWrong]

I accepted a position in Austin with a small company that, at this time, doesn't have a group plan. I am supposed to be there in ~2 weeks to begin work.

I called an agent who took down some info so that she could get quotes for an individual policy for us. Well, she calls back and says that no one will accept us and that the law allows them to reject individuals for any reason they deem necessary.

I am hoping to find information about individuals that have formed their own groups to get coverage under those laws which are much more lax.

For the record, the issues that caused the rejection are:

1. Wife had hip arthroscopy a little over a year ago (full recovery)
2. Wife had Basil Cell skin cancer (had Moh's surgery to remove and no reoccurance)
3. Daughter had a concussion over two years ago
4. Son has Asperger's Syndrome (high functioning Autism that basically impairs social interaction skills like reading body language and being very literal in their interpretation of written and spoken words. Not in any way, shape or form effects him physically).

Any help that anyone can provide with finding other individuals that have formed their own groups to combat the bastards that hide behind false slogans like "You're in good hands" or "Like a good neighbor" would be greatly appreciated.

 

[OutHouse]

wow that sucks. i think texas has CHAP (childrens insurance) you may want to check into that. but for you and your wife I dunno, i have no advice.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Welcome to Texas, thanks to Dubya's run as Gov., Big business is now more important than the citizens.

 

[DurocShark]

Ugh. That sucks.

 

[RightIsWrong]

Originally posted by: Citrix
wow that sucks. i think texas has CHAP (childrens insurance) you may want to check into that. but for you and your wife I dunno, i have no advice.

Make too much for them to be covered under it. My wife is freaking out. We have two horrific choices.....

1. Move to TX w/o healthcare
2. Continue to live in 1970 and not move from Mississippi

Either way, we're f*cked.

 

[mattpegher]

check with the local small business association there may be organizations you can join that will make you eligible for group rates. Alternately some insurance agents offer suggestions for getting group rate health insurance. We got ours through our professional society.

 

[Viper GTS]

With all that you really should have considered healthcare prior to accepting the position.

Are you leaving a job that did have group insurance? If so you can continue your coverage for 18 months through COBRA, though it won't be cheap. Of course at the end of that 18 months you'll be right back where you are now unless the company has started offering insurance.

Insurance companies are in business to make money, taking on customers with a history like yours isn't in their best interests. I'm in the same boat (cornea transplant a year ago, 2nd one scheduled ~6 weeks from now), maintaining group insurance is EXTREMELY important.

Viper GTS

 

[RightIsWrong]

Honestly, for some stupid, ignorant reason, I didn't think that getting an individual policy would be that difficult.....expensive yes...difficult, no. Silly me.

I have stated for many years that I am of the belief that banks and insurance companies are the two biggest organized crime units in the US.

Unfortunately, COBRA isn't an option because I am going to be leaving volutarily.

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong

Originally posted by: Citrix
wow that sucks. i think texas has CHAP (childrens insurance) you may want to check into that. but for you and your wife I dunno, i have no advice.

Make too much for them to be covered under it. My wife is freaking out. We have two horrific choices.....

1. Move to TX w/o healthcare
2. Continue to live in 1970 and not move from Mississippi

Either way, we're f*cked.

You are not going to find insurance for the wife. Your only hope is to get a job with a company that has a group health plan.

1970 was not so bad. The clothes were pretty snazzy.

 

[erub]

1. I get offers from IEEE all the time for group insurance - are you part of any professional societies that might offer it (or could you join one?)

2. Someone advised another person on FW to possibly enroll in a community college for one class and try to get a student policy (not sure how that would work for your whole family, or if full time student status is required) -- would you or your wife be able to do that?

neither would be cheap though..

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong

Unfortunately, COBRA isn't an option because I am going to be leaving volutarily.

COBRA is still available even in cases of voluntary termination.

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html

Viper GTS