Can't afford insurance and possible health emergency!!!

amother

Sat, Feb 28 2015, 8:54 pm

I don't know if this is the right forum, but I'm desperate. My husband hasn't had health insurance in about a year and a half because it's just impossible to afford. Myself and our kids are on Family Health Plus, but it doesn't cover him because he makes too much money. But we're paying two tuitions, car payments, rent and basic necessities, and there is no room left in our budget for the ridiculously high insurance costs (Obamacare just doesn't cut it).

Now he's facing a possible health issue that due to family history is making me incredibly nervous. It's something that he needs to deal with ASAP, but we have no money for that, and no insurance! We are in desperate need of help. Does anyone know of any organizations in Brooklyn that can help us obtain insurance?

Thanks in advance!

SRS

Sat, Feb 28 2015, 9:26 pm

I'm not an insurance expert, so I would talk to someone who is an insurance expert asap. Remember that you certainly can pay for a doctor's visit out of pocket, but that might be ill advised if you get a diagnosis before purchasing insurance. Since you need to work quick, figure out what expense you might be willing to do away with to get insurance in the budget. Health is a foremost concern and it sounds like between 2 cars in Brooklyn and 2 tuitions you are overextended. You could also call your bikur cholim to see if they have someone who can advise, but I'd be surprised if their tzedakah program covers more than a certain annual amount.

amother

Sat, Feb 28 2015, 9:42 pm

Op here.

I'm not looking for tzedaka! I'm looking for someone who can help us find affordable insurance. We only have one car, not two, and we're living in an apartment that's pretty tiny, and we're not wasting money eating out and going on vacations. My husband's job does not offer employer sponsored insurance because it's a tiny company. I'm in my first trimester and not totally functioning due to exhaustion and morning sickness, and we have no help, financial or otherwise. So please, only helpful responses. Thanks.

amother

Sat, Feb 28 2015, 10:44 pm

amother wrote:

I'm really confused. I thought that Family Health Plus ended in 2014, and that families who previously received it now obtained insurance, with subsidies, through the ACA marketplace. I also for the life of me can't figure out how it is possible for you to receive subsidized health insurance if your husband's income is too high for it. Your husband's income should be attributed to the family, which would probably entitle him to some subsidies.

That's important because open enrollment is closed for the year. There is limited access to ACA subsidized healthcare, including losing a job and going on Medicaid. So you may need to go on as a family. Go to nystateofhealth.ny.gov for information on who you can contact to help you with the process.

And thank Hashem for Obama and the ACA, because otherwise, in light of the fact that your husband has now had a health scare, he would be completely uninsurable for that condition.

Refuah shleima.

amother

Sun, Mar 01 2015, 7:28 am

This is the Op. My husband does not have a diagnosis. He is displaying certain symptoms that, given his family history, are worrisome. He has not even been to a doctor yet. I really hope it's nothing, but if it is what I'm worried about it's a chronic illness that has many repercussions. Two of his family members have it. One was just diagnosed a month ago and is dealing with the consequences of ignoring the symptoms for 6 months. I'm not willing to let my husband end up in that position.

SRS

Sun, Mar 01 2015, 10:15 am

Don't ignore it for 6 months. Get yourself insurance even at the expense of the tuition and proceed from there. But don't go get a diagnosis for the good or the bad without getting some insurance. Talk to an insurance specialist asap and revisit the marketplace. I heard somewhere that due to backlash it might be open through the tax filing Apr 15 deadline.