Help! Losing My Insurance

[pugsx3 39]

I found out yesterday that my company will be closing the division I work for by May 28th, and I will be losing my job as well as my insurance. There will be a transition, so some people will be let go sooner, but there are no specific dates, so we don't know who will go before that, or who will be here 'till the end.

I got my lapband 9/15/11, and am still getting fills every month as I'm not feeling any restriction at all. I've got 6.5cc in a 14cc band, so there is still plenty of room to go. My surgeon charges a lot of money for a fill (it's over $600 for the appt. and the fill) - but my insurance paid for most of it - my cost was only $41 after I met my deductible.

I know if you go from insurance from one employer to another the new policy can't call it a pre-existing condition - but I'm not sure how that works if I go from a company plan to buying my own insurance. I'm worried that my fills will become a pre-existing condition, where they would no longer be covered. Has anyone been through this or know anything about it? I will have the option to buy Cobra, but it will be way more expensive than buying my own insurance independently.

Also, if anyone know's about Cobra - if I do go that route, I need to know if it's just a continuation of my current plan, or if I'm starting over. I've already met my deductible for the year - do I have to start over with that deductible, or does what I've already paid cover it?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

[Ladybug28 73]

Your employer should offer you cobra insurance, I beleive for a term of 18 months.

[rosstheboss 21]

Sorry to hear about your insurance, you should talk with HR about the options you may be better with Cobra as I believe it is a continuation of your present insurance. It may be hard to get insurance on your own due to the Lap ban in fact any weight loss surgery can have the put you in to the High Risk Pool. But that in itself may not be bad and in some cases is less than individual policy.

One thing to do ASAP is make an appointment and talk with the Dr. Office. And talk to the nurse and the office etc.

I am almost 3 years out now, last summer when I went in for a fill they said I should be coming more often. My Dr charges like $800 as they due the fluoroscope also. The Nurse said that I was eligible for a special program when you were 2 years out and the cost was $500 for the year! So they may have a special program. Also you may want to check to see if their are any Fill centers! I understand that more and more of these are opening up.

Good luck and keep up the good work.

[twi 40]

Some Drs will lower cost if uninsured. Ask mine lowered mine about half.

[54Shirley 105]

I'm sure you know cobra is very expensive. You can always go to fill center usa for your fills. If theres one in your state. you'll have to google it and see if its near you.

Contact them, tell them the story, same as mine so they herd this a million times. Find out what it will cost you straight out for a fill since you have no Ins.. Its usually cheaper.

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Fillcenters USA- Irvington

Irvington, IL 62848