Why Did COBRA Cost Me $40K in Medical Expenses?
Reader Alert: Many employer benefit group plans terminate the day you are no longer working full-time. Explore employer group medical plan rules and options with Medicare if you or your spouse are 65 or older.
Toni:
I need your Medicare guidance because this March, I was rushed to the ER because of kidney failure caused from stage 4 of prostate cancer that has now spread to my pelvic bones.
Because I was working full-time, I took a leave of absence with short-term disability in January for 60 days while receiving my cancer treatment. Short term disability ended on March 15th and so I was placed on long term disability.
I was informed, while in the hospital for cancer treatment, that I had qualified for long term disability and would no longer be part of the company’s health plan since I was not a full-time employee. COBRA would begin immediately.
My wife and I enrolled and paid for COBRA, so that I could continue with medical care where I am having cancer treatment. It took 6 weeks to get the paperwork to Social Security for me to enroll in Part B, since I was not working full-time, and my Medicare Part B began June 1st.
Now my Cobra nightmare begins… because COBRA is only paying the 20% of medical/doctor bills and I was billed the 80% because I was not enrolled in Medicare Part B which has totaled over $40K.
Please help me solve this COBRA financial nightmare…Thanks, Robert, San Diego
Robert:
The Toni Says team will do all that we can to help you solve this problem with your $40K Medicare Part B medical bill fiasco.
Those reading this article need to realize the seriousness of Medicare and…
