Comments on: Jobless and Diabetic: Some Folks We Know http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/04/jobless-and-diabetic-some-folks-we-know.html A gold mine of straight talk and encouragement for people living with diabetes Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:38:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Fernando http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/04/jobless-and-diabetic-some-folks-we-know.html/comment-page-1#comment-329396 Fernando Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:58:49 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=6719#comment-329396 WOW! Just a reminder, the government doesn't "pick up the tab", WE do. WOW! Just a reminder, the government doesn’t “pick up the tab”, WE do.

]]> By: Lana http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/04/jobless-and-diabetic-some-folks-we-know.html/comment-page-1#comment-329099 Lana Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:10:16 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=6719#comment-329099 My son (diabetic since 1993) who is currently a full-time student and has coverage through my employer is going to be registered for less than 12 credits next semester and will lose insurance. I am horrified. Any advice on any programs/coverage (we live in NY) which he might be eligible for? He doesn't have any income, and I can't afford COBRA. My son (diabetic since 1993) who is currently a full-time student and has coverage through my employer is going to be registered for less than 12 credits next semester and will lose insurance. I am horrified. Any advice on any programs/coverage (we live in NY) which he might be eligible for? He doesn’t have any income, and I can’t afford COBRA.

]]> By: JasonJayahwk http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/04/jobless-and-diabetic-some-folks-we-know.html/comment-page-1#comment-328251 JasonJayahwk Sat, 25 Apr 2009 05:56:05 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=6719#comment-328251 Thanks for the post. Perfect timing. As a T1, I was laid off this March and had several months' warning because I was asked to stay on to close the division of over 800 people (I was one of the last 5 to turn off the lights). Even with the extra time to search for a new career/job, I wasn't getting many bites with my applications. With twins and another one on the way, my family is concerned but thankful for COBRA and knowledge that we'll find a way. Anyone looking for a proven IT Systems Engineer with a MS in CompScience, BS in Microbiology, and a record of adding value to a business through IT? Willing to relocate with own funds. :-) (Sorry, shameless plug, Amy). Thanks for the post. Perfect timing. As a T1, I was laid off this March and had several months’ warning because I was asked to stay on to close the division of over 800 people (I was one of the last 5 to turn off the lights). Even with the extra time to search for a new career/job, I wasn’t getting many bites with my applications. With twins and another one on the way, my family is concerned but thankful for COBRA and knowledge that we’ll find a way. Anyone looking for a proven IT Systems Engineer with a MS in CompScience, BS in Microbiology, and a record of adding value to a business through IT? Willing to relocate with own funds. :-) (Sorry, shameless plug, Amy).

]]> By: Mark http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/04/jobless-and-diabetic-some-folks-we-know.html/comment-page-1#comment-327886 Mark Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:48:46 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=6719#comment-327886 If you lose your job, you usually have a little time to use up your Flexible Spending Account before you're officially "laid off". The good thing is that you can spend all of it without having actually paid for all of it. So if you elected to put in $1200 for 2009, and you got laid off in March, even though your employer only deducted about $300 from your Jan/Feb/March paychecks, you can spend the rest of the $900 without ever having paid it. It's true, unbelievable, but look it up on the internet. actually, i just found it at http://www.creditfyi.com/Creditpedia/Manage-Your-Money/How-To-Prepare-For-A-Possible-Layoff.htm (see #7 on that page) If you lose your job, you usually have a little time to use up your Flexible Spending Account before you’re officially “laid off”. The good thing is that you can spend all of it without having actually paid for all of it. So if you elected to put in $1200 for 2009, and you got laid off in March, even though your employer only deducted about $300 from your Jan/Feb/March paychecks, you can spend the rest of the $900 without ever having paid it. It’s true, unbelievable, but look it up on the internet. actually, i just found it at http://www.creditfyi.com/Creditpedia/Manage-Your-Money/How-To-Prepare-For-A-Possible-Layoff.htm (see #7 on that page)

]]> By: Jim D http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/04/jobless-and-diabetic-some-folks-we-know.html/comment-page-1#comment-327873 Jim D Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:11:38 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=6719#comment-327873 Don't forget the option of store-brand test strips. They are easily half the cost of the name brands and some of the chains use the same manufacturer for the meters. I picked up a Target brand meter for $8.00 and the strips are half of the price of the J&J strips and the lancets are very inexpensive. Also, the manufacturers have a lot of "free meter" promos which usually come with a sample vial of strips and lancets, so in a pinch this could be a way to get some free supplies. Don’t forget the option of store-brand test strips. They are easily half the cost of the name brands and some of the chains use the same manufacturer for the meters. I picked up a Target brand meter for $8.00 and the strips are half of the price of the J&J strips and the lancets are very inexpensive.
Also, the manufacturers have a lot of “free meter” promos which usually come with a sample vial of strips and lancets, so in a pinch this could be a way to get some free supplies.

]]> By: Brian http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/04/jobless-and-diabetic-some-folks-we-know.html/comment-page-1#comment-327753 Brian Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:36:26 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=6719#comment-327753 The Massachusetts health reform plan has brought significant help to many low and moderate income people struggling with health insurance. In Massachusetts: - insurers cannot take health status into account. The price of insurance is only based on age and zip code. They are not allowed to even ask about your medical history, or prescriptions, etc. - all people must have coverage that includes prescriptions. This spreads the cost of prescriptions across everyone in the insurance pool, so that people with health needs don't have to pay extra. - people can buy individual coverage at group rates. Both groups and individuals are all part of the same rating pool, and pay the same rates. - the Connector, a new state agency, makes it easy to buy coverage and compare plans on a fair apples-to-apples basis. The Connector only gives it's seal of approval to plans to provide comprehensive coverage at a good value. Their website is www.mahealthconnector.org. - for low income people who can't get Medicaid, the Commonwealth Care program provides sliding scale premiums, with good coverage. There's a choice of plans, so diabetics can compare the coverage from the different carriers. - Massachusetts has long provided assistance to low and moderate income people in paying for COBRA, and now when you add in the new federal subsidy, the laid-off worker only has to pay 7% of the premium. A great service will help anyone figure out how to get health insurance in Massachusetts. Call the Health Care For All HelpLine at 1-800-972-4232. The Massachusetts model is being considered as part of national reform. Let you Congressional representatives know if you support expanding affordable coverage. The Massachusetts health reform plan has brought significant help to many low and moderate income people struggling with health insurance.

In Massachusetts:
- insurers cannot take health status into account. The price of insurance is only based on age and zip code. They are not allowed to even ask about your medical history, or prescriptions, etc.
- all people must have coverage that includes prescriptions. This spreads the cost of prescriptions across everyone in the insurance pool, so that people with health needs don’t have to pay extra.
- people can buy individual coverage at group rates. Both groups and individuals are all part of the same rating pool, and pay the same rates.
- the Connector, a new state agency, makes it easy to buy coverage and compare plans on a fair apples-to-apples basis. The Connector only gives it’s seal of approval to plans to provide comprehensive coverage at a good value. Their website is http://www.mahealthconnector.org.
- for low income people who can’t get Medicaid, the Commonwealth Care program provides sliding scale premiums, with good coverage. There’s a choice of plans, so diabetics can compare the coverage from the different carriers.
- Massachusetts has long provided assistance to low and moderate income people in paying for COBRA, and now when you add in the new federal subsidy, the laid-off worker only has to pay 7% of the premium.

A great service will help anyone figure out how to get health insurance in Massachusetts. Call the Health Care For All HelpLine at 1-800-972-4232.

The Massachusetts model is being considered as part of national reform. Let you Congressional representatives know if you support expanding affordable coverage.

]]> By: Sanjeev Bhadresa http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/04/jobless-and-diabetic-some-folks-we-know.html/comment-page-1#comment-327707 Sanjeev Bhadresa Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:12:18 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=6719#comment-327707 Having been in a similiar situation in the past, I know how stressful if can be to afford diabetic medication and supplies, even with COBRA coverage. Good luck to all! Having been in a similiar situation in the past, I know how stressful if can be to afford diabetic medication and supplies, even with COBRA coverage.

Good luck to all!

]]> By: Lyrehca http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/04/jobless-and-diabetic-some-folks-we-know.html/comment-page-1#comment-327689 Lyrehca Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:46:24 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=6719#comment-327689 I have been between jobs several times and have relied on COBRA coverage, particularly when I left a job to go to grad school and when I've been between staff jobs and chose to freelance long-term. I also picked up a group plan for freelance writers when my COBRA ran out and the monthly fee, while pricey, was comparable to COBRA. Paying my health insurance bill was the first thing I did in those months and it was just what I did. I have been between jobs several times and have relied on COBRA coverage, particularly when I left a job to go to grad school and when I’ve been between staff jobs and chose to freelance long-term. I also picked up a group plan for freelance writers when my COBRA ran out and the monthly fee, while pricey, was comparable to COBRA. Paying my health insurance bill was the first thing I did in those months and it was just what I did.

]]> By: Rosalind Joffe http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/04/jobless-and-diabetic-some-folks-we-know.html/comment-page-1#comment-327676 Rosalind Joffe Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:22:32 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=6719#comment-327676 Scott's story is painfully familiar. Living with a chronic illness makes looking for a new job particularly scary. Do I disclose, will this job have more stress than I can handle, how do I ask about benefits without showing that I really need them, etc.? Will I find a job before my health coverage runs out? Ford factory workers know it's impossible to predict what the future marketplace will look like. But I've found that my clients who plan careers with their chronic illness in mind are able to be in as solid position as possible (see my post w/3 things to think about: http://bit.ly/RXEEw) Bernard F got a new job relatively quickly - He was smart because he developed solid skills transferrable to a variety of industries FYI -Read more about Bernard F's career story http://bit.ly/bD9K on my blog,WorkingWithChronicIllness.com because there's a lot to learn from his approach. Scott’s story is painfully familiar. Living with a chronic illness makes looking for a new job particularly scary. Do I disclose, will this job have more stress than I can handle, how do I ask about benefits without showing that I really need them, etc.? Will I find a job before my health coverage runs out? Ford factory workers know it’s impossible to predict what the future marketplace will look like. But I’ve found that my clients who plan careers with their chronic illness in mind are able to be in as solid position as possible (see my post w/3 things to think about: http://bit.ly/RXEEw)
Bernard F got a new job relatively quickly – He was smart because he developed solid skills transferrable to a variety of industries FYI -Read more about Bernard F’s career story http://bit.ly/bD9K on my blog,WorkingWithChronicIllness.com because there’s a lot to learn from his approach.

]]> By: T1 in Boston http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/04/jobless-and-diabetic-some-folks-we-know.html/comment-page-1#comment-327665 T1 in Boston Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:43:05 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=6719#comment-327665 Thx to Amy for this impt post. While we're at it -- Anyone need NovaMax strips - the ones that communicate with the MMD Paradigm pump? I have extras (from doing what Scott E. recommends above, and then switching meters). Let me know - we can discuss off-line. Thx to Amy for this impt post. While we’re at it — Anyone need NovaMax strips – the ones that communicate with the MMD Paradigm pump? I have extras (from doing what Scott E. recommends above, and then switching meters). Let me know – we can discuss off-line.

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