I have asthma and my employer isn't going to offer me Cobra until long after my insurance expires. (prescriptions, cheap)

[bluebelt1234]

I have asthma and I found out today that my employer isn't sending out Cobra papers until long after my insurance expires. My asthma medications are expensive. What should I do? I did send an e-mail to the state insurance commissioners office. I will call them later if they don't reply.

[*Danielle*]

What medications do you take?

[bluebelt1234]

Originally Posted by *Danielle*

What medications do you take?

Advair 500/50, Ventolin, Albuterol solution for a nebulizer, Allegra, Singulair, and Nasonex.

[marylee54]

Originally Posted by bluebelt1234

I have asthma and I found out today that my employer isn't sending out Cobra papers until long after my insurance expires. My asthma medications are expensive. What should I do? I did send an e-mail to the state insurance commissioners office. I will call them later if they don't reply.

Check into this---by law employers must send out Cobra papers within a certain time frame, not just when they feel like it.

[LadyRobyn]

Originally Posted by bluebelt1234

Advair 500/50, Ventolin, Albuterol solution for a nebulizer, Allegra, Singulair, and Nasonex.

Ouch! Until you can get things sorted, contact the manufacturer's websites. Some of them offer financial cuts to those without insurance. (Glaxo also has some decent coupons that will help if you HAVE to have your Advair)

Call around to different Pharmacies and do price comparisons... You would be surprised at the price differences!! Albuterol Solution is usually very cheap, if you can I would make SURE to keep that one filled.

If you have a Wal-Mart nearby check to see if any of your meds are on their $4 prescription list.

As a last possibility I would call the Dr. and see if he will allow you an "Emergency" back-up of Prednisone...just in case you can't get your regular Meds filled and you start having problems. (prednisone is also very inexpensive)

Also, your Dr. MAY have sample packs in his office to help you out!!

My Husband and 2 of our kids are asthmatic, so I am familiar with ALL of those tricks. Our Docs have always been very helpful over the years.

[Beth56]

Originally Posted by bluebelt1234

I have asthma and I found out today that my employer isn't sending out Cobra papers until long after my insurance expires. My asthma medications are expensive. What should I do? I did send an e-mail to the state insurance commissioners office. I will call them later if they don't reply.

I read another post of yours where you mentioned you are being paid during the summer. Are insurance benefit costs coming out of that pay? This could make a difference as to when they send out the Cobra notice. For example, if you are paid through the summer and insurance costs are being taken, then your true termination date would be when those payments stopped. At that time Cobra information would be sent out.

It is my understanding that when you do elect Cobra, even though you have paid for medications, Cobra will be retroactive and cover those expenses once you are in the system under Cobra if that is part of the plan.

See Q6:
FAQs For Employees About COBRA Continuation Health Coverage

[bluebelt1234]

Originally Posted by Beth56

I read another post of yours where you mentioned you are being paid during the summer. Are insurance benefit costs coming out of that pay? This could make a difference as to when they send out the Cobra notice. For example, if you are paid through the summer and insurance costs are being taken, then your true termination date would be when those payments stopped. At that time Cobra information would be sent out.

It is my understanding that when you do elect Cobra, even though you have paid for medications, Cobra will be retroactive and cover those expenses once you are in the system under Cobra if that is part of the plan.

See Q6:
FAQs For Employees About COBRA Continuation Health Coverage

I called my employer and they said that they are stopping my insurance on June 30. They said that I will have to pay full costs of my prescriptions after that date. My insurance won't allow me to refill more than 30 days supply at a time.

[Beth56]

Originally Posted by bluebelt1234

I called my employer and they said that they are stopping my insurance on June 30. They said that I will have to pay full costs of my prescriptions after that date. My insurance won't allow me to refill more than 30 days supply at a time.

Then from what I read on the site I provided you, your employer must notify insurance within 30 days after termination. Insurance then has 14 days to send you out Cobra information. Meaning, that's about 6 weeks after June 30. You may not receive Cobra information until around mid-August. Then you have 60 days to elect coverage. This is a very long process.

I am no expert here. But I have some knowledge. From what I know, the process of electing Cobra and being covered is a long one. You may have to pay for medical care and prescriptions on your own, then seek reimbursement once you elect and submit payment for Cobra and are in the system. If you try and submit costs after June 30, you will show up as with no insurance. Keep receipts.

Please refer to your insurance department for details about Cobra as I am not a qualified representative. I can only provide general information from past knowledge.

I just think that this may be too soon for you to receive Cobra information from your previous employer.