Out Of Work, Out Of Insurance, Out Of Luck

Unemployed Search, Some In Vain, For Affordable Medical Insurance After Losing A Job

(AP)  Leah Smith shells out more than $730 a month for health insurance but you won't hear her complaining.

Among the jobless, Smith is one of the lucky few with solid health insurance that she can afford. And it covers thousands of dollars in prescription drugs she could never pay for herself.

Health problems forced the 55-year-old to leave her job as a human resources director several years ago. She takes medication to help cope with spine problems, multiple sclerosis and high blood pressure, among other ailments.

She's covered under the Indiana Comprehensive Health Insurance Association, a state-backed safety net program, and pays $2,198 every three months. That's not cheap. It's about what the average worker pays over three years for her portion of a single-coverage plan through an employer, according to statistics from the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundationm.

The Indiana insurance pool is one of the limited possibilities for people who lose their jobs and are searching for health insurance. It's a problem more Americans will face as more people lose jobs in the economic downturn.

"There are not adequate options," said Cheryl Fish-Parcham, deputy director of health policy at the nonprofit Families USA, which advocates health care reform. "People may face prices that are totally unaffordable, and they often can't get the same benefits they had before."

Still, Smith calls her insurance "a lifesaving plan."

She landed in Indiana's insurance safety net after first paying about $400 a month for 18 months of COBRA coverage. That's the program that allows a departing employee to remain under the employer's health plan by paying the full premium cost. Many unemployed people can't afford that, but Smith said disability insurance gave her a portion of her former salary to help cover it.

Once COBRA coverage ended, she searched for an individual policy and found it wasn't easy.

"I even wrote letters asking them to please cover me," she said. "They had no interest as soon as they learned of all the (health) issues."

Eventually, she found refuge in what's considered Indiana's insurance of last resort. The state helps fund the program, which charges relatively high premiums but provides its estimated 1,200 customers insurance with no lifetime maximum on benefits.

The program rejects no one and, like similar ones in 20 to 30 states, it provides coverage for people who can't afford it on the open market but are too well off to qualify for Medicaid.

To afford it, Smith scrimps in every possible way. She downsized from a condo to an apartment. She cut out basic cable and trimmed caller ID from her phone service.

"I go out to do dinner maybe twice a month, I don't go to fancy dinners," she said. "Obviously I don't go on a lot of occasions anymore."

In return, her insurance covers most of the expense of her nausea medicine, which costs about $1,600 for 120 pills. It also covers a patch she needs for nerve pain, a blood thinner, blood pressure drug and other medicines.

Many others in Indiana aren't so fortunate. The unemployment rate in this key presidential election state stood at 6.2 percent last month, a shade higher than the national figure, which experts say could rise in the coming months.

The first and best option for people who lose their employers' insurance is switching to coverage through a spouse or family member. Then there's COBRA, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. The cost of extending this employer's insurance, however, usually rises about fivefold once you leave the payroll.

"You would go from paying 20 percent to paying all of it," said Karen Pollitz, a research professor at the Georgetown Health Policy Institute. She said the cost of a COBRA policy quickly becomes a "conversation stopper" for those who have just lost their income.

Poor families may find coverage through state programs like Medicaid. Some people might convert the group policy from their employer to an individual plan or buy a separate policy on the open market.

Insurers offer scores of individual plans for a wide range of prices. But these polices may not work if the applicant has a pre-existing condition. That can lead to insurance that costs too much or excludes expensive conditions like diabetes.

For Jeffrey Carroll, there were no affordable options when he lost his job as a truck driver. At $1,000 a month, COBRA proved too pricey for the 44-year-old with a wife and daughter. He also found nothing but big fees when he searched online. He said some polices wanted as much as $241 a week.

"They need to come up with an affordable plan for a common working man," said Carroll, who has since found another job and is waiting for health coverage to start. "Joe Blow off the street can't afford it."

Kimberly King has managed to get by more than five years without health insurance. She left her job as an accounting clerk in 2001 to take care of her sick mother, who died the next year. King, 46, dipped into her retirement savings to stretch COBRA coverage into 2002.

But now she can't find steady work for more than $7 an hour, let alone a job that also offers health insurance.

"I took bits and pieces of little jobs, and it's a joke," she said. "I can't even buy gas on $7 an hour."

King, who has no dependents needing coverage, says she hasn't looked for insurance because she knows she can't afford it. She used to visit the doctor twice a year for checkups. Now she pops vitamins and hopes to stay healthy.

That worked until she became dizzy and passed out about a year and a half ago.

An ambulance rushed her to Wishard Memorial, the public hospital serving Indianapolis. Doctors treated her for a urinary tract infection. The ambulance ride alone cost $400.

"I still haven't paid the bill yet," King said. "I'm probably going to be out a thousand bucks."

She thinks people like her might be helped if Barack Obama wins on Tuesday. She normally votes in every election, but this year offers extra incentive.

Smith, on the other hand, said her situation shows that coverage is available. People just have to look long enough and hard enough to find it.

"I think if you're determined to find something to get covered, I think it's out there," she said. "It's not going to fall in your lap."

Smith is leaning toward John McCain. She isn't eager to see a government-run health plan. She envisions long waits and limited choices of doctors.

Most importantly, she's worried she'll lose the security it took her a year and a half to find.

"I'm very nervous about that," she said. "I would hate for them to come and replace the health coverage I have."

[mom_o_truth]

Bush-survival: Research and Development Engineer: Last full employment job 1990. Laid-off 1/1/1991. Thank you Bush father. 16 out of past 18 years are without a job, health insurance and social security. Thank you Bush son. Only 2 years, monthly wise, were as part time employee with benefits. WHY ? WHY ? WHY ?
AGE DISCRIMINATION, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, NAME DISCRIMINATION.
JOB DISCRIMINATION, Overqualified DISCRIMINATION.

[zay1965]

As a single woman, with no children, getting help with healthcare is impossible. Not just healthcare, but any assistance what-so-ever. Here in Ohio, to get any assistance including healthcare, you either must be homeless, disabled, over 60, or have children. I am neither homeless, over 60, disabled or have children, so I get NOTHING! THis needs to change fast, may of us are falling through the cracks! I am currently dealing with severe pain in my left arm (since August) and I get nothing but the run-a-round from hospitals. I go to a clinic and it is very difficult to get an appointment, and I continue to suffer. I am to the point that I can''t even work due to the pain and I fear I will have to move in with my sister because I won''t be able to afford to live on my own anymore. It is just not healthcare, it''s the economy too. No work, no money, no income, no help!

[jerr11]

Out Of Work, Out Of Insurance, Out Of Luck



The trickle down system really works.

It''s the rich pissing on us poor folks below.

Thanks Bush! Heckuva job!!

[beauin]

don''t worry, Barrack will spread the wealth. Socialists have universal healthcare, whoa wait a minute, that means Barrack is a socialist....

[navyjimfl]

my wife and I have health care coverage and it''s not that great but at least we have it. millions of americans have no insurance and I see sad stories everyday in the hospital I work in. I voted for Obama in the hope he will do something about our "broken" healthcare system and provide healthcare coverage for everyone. We seem to have plenty of money for WAR and paying huge salaries to fat cat''s driving our economy into the ground.

[rsmik]

Smith is not typical of the uninsured and unemployed, so why is she the focus of this story?

[osiod9]

$1600 a month for 120 ''nausea'' pills? Geez, she could save over $1000 a month by purchasing a big sack o'' funky bud! Smoke one spliff three times a day and call me in the morning. Heck, she just might be so chilled she won''t need that high blood pressure med anymore.

[CMancos]

Hey,

Thank You Mr. President for 8 wonderful years.

The American people appreciate your efforts in shreading the U.S. Constitution, Starting a war based on a LIE! Illegal wire tapping of U.S. citizens, Putting the economy in the ditch, bailing out Wall Street.......the list is too long to een list...I think everyone gets the picture.

It will be a pleasure seeing the WORST ADMINISTRATION in U.S. History leave office in utter disgrace in two months time.

Its even better seeing MCSame and Ms. Barky Failin lose this election.

Posted by zietzke

Thank yourself while you are at it fat, spoiled American. You are so used to having what you want that when times get hard, you can''t take it. While you worry about the price of gas, others in the world dont have food and water to live another day. Shut up, you make me sick. What happened? Did you have to cancel your trip to the Hamptons or where ever? Can''t afford that new boat, can''t take that cruise this year. Get over it and be glad for what you still have before its gone soon.

[zietzke-2009]

MooseNation
If you believe the internet email urban legends that say Sarah Palin is a terriost, you must believe than that Obama is a militant Muslim that wasn''''t even born in this county. Check your facts MooseNation and stop believing everything you read!



Posted by clip24

Boring...........Same old stuff.......:/

Hey,

Thank You Mr. President for 8 wonderful years.

The American people appreciate your efforts in shreading the U.S. Constitution, Starting a war based on a LIE! Illegal wire tapping of U.S. citizens, Putting the economy in the ditch, bailing out Wall Street.......the list is too long to een list...I think everyone gets the picture.

It will be a pleasure seeing the WORST ADMINISTRATION in U.S. History leave office in utter disgrace in two months time.

Its even better seeing MCSame and Ms. Barky Failin lose this election.

[nebul09]

mccain is so astute on healthcare he let his own state bankrupt it''s medicaid system without any intervention. Btw, AZ has it''s state own medicaid program.

[eus109937]

My company was bought out by a Chinese company and they have laid off about 700 of us so far. At the end of Nov. I will be out of work, out of insurance but hopefully not out of luck in my job search.
Obama/Biden 2008. We need change.

[babooph]

So many of those poor slobs bought the B S that they would be joining the rich ,if they voted to let the rich pay less taxes & do as they pleased with banks & other-too late they see where it really got them !!

[txgrouch2007]

This is the new USA where the money changers on Wall Street and the multi-national CEOs have stolen all the wealth from the the economy of almost 300 million Americans.

They have all gotten very rich while everyone else has much less of everything. Now we''''re spending trillions of taxpayer dollars to bail their incompetence and greed out.

We do need a serious change in direction for the USA, and not more of the Republican led status quo for those that already have more than they can ever spend.
Posted by cbsblogger at 08:12 PM : Nov 03, 2008

I agree with about 90% of what you wrote.

I would like to remind everyone, though, that it was Barney Frank and cohorts who engineered the "affordable housing" meltdown and subsequent bailout.

Republicans do not have a majority in either house of Congress. They can not do anything themselves. Whatever Congress does needed Democrat support to make it happen.

That INCLUDES this ill-conceived bailout.

[svmn]

Does Ms Smith realize she is getting Goverment insurance? An individual can get insurance until they get sick and have to use the plan. Sounds like rationing to me. And the insurance companies tell you the Drs you can see and services they will pay for, while the executives get raises and our premiums go up. Poeple thinking our system is so good need to wise up.

[cbsblogger]

This is the new USA where the money changers on Wall Street and the multi-national CEOs have stolen all the wealth from the the economy of almost 300 million Americans.

They have all gotten very rich while everyone else has much less of everything. Now we''re spending trillions of taxpayer dollars to bail their incompetence and greed out.

We do need a serious change in direction for the USA, and not more of the Republican led status quo for those that already have more than they can ever spend.

[clip24]

MooseNation
If you believe the internet email urban legends that say Sarah Palin is a terriost, you must believe than that Obama is a militant Muslim that wasn''t even born in this county. Check your facts MooseNation and stop believing everything you read!

[odinnasgaard]

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed. [snipped]
Posted by starsnbars12 at 04:09 PM : Nov 03, 2008


Umm, yeah, right, sure you did. I''ve seen this same story posted by too many people for it to be true for each of you, especially with the exact same wording. Nothing but cut and paste with no creativity.

I spent 30 years of my life defending your right to free speech, but I will call BS when I see it.

[incog-nito]

The current system is downright insane. Just when you''re out of work and have little or no income, you have to pay MORE for health insurance. And why does your health care coverage depend on how much your employer decides to give you? Employers themselves don''t want to have to deal with the expense of providing health benefits for employees. Of course, buying private individual policies is prohibitively expensive, so most people have to depend on their employer for coverage, that is, if it''s even available.

The solution: Universal health care.

[slim1h2o]

Out Of Work, Out Of Insurance, Out Of Luck

More like,,,"You get sick, with or without insurance, you''re out of luck anyways".

This Health Care System doesn''t want ot cure anyone of anything. They just want to give you high priced Big Pharma meds that will mask the symptoms, but keep you dependent on those same high priced meds.

God forbid that you can''t handle that regimine of meds then find yourself out of a job.

Oh but then again we will have the usual freaks on here saying,," If onlt you worked harder, saved your money",,,,yada yada yada,,blah blah blah..

Horse hocky, is all I have to say to those types.

And to the others that say,,," I got mine, so sc/rew you"

Grow some compassion,,will ya?

[mytoosense]

Posted by starsnbars12

What, couldn''t find a job in the private sector?