We no longer qualify for Family Health Plus, what now?

[dsaucone]

I just received a letter in the mail stating we no longer qualify for family health plus, which is a program run by NY state to either pay your health insurance, or reimburse you for your employer sponsored plan.

We make $6 too much. However, I just went from FT to PD and was working FT+ hours before school started, now that school has started we won't make anywhere near that. I no longer can get health insurance through my work, which leaves DH. He can get it, it's expensive and not the best. And really he's VA. He's not signed up for it, but he is a vet. So he could, if needed. He would rather we just buy it (which I think is silly if we only need to pay for me; dh = va so that leaves just me, but you can't put just your spouse on a plan so even if we did get it through dh's work we'd have to pay for both).

I'm wondering if there is any place we could just purchase our own policy. I'm not sure how expensive that would be. Aside from childbirth I haven't needed medical care. DH has various issues with his knee, but doesn't receive medical care for it. We really just want something where if we need $1,000's in medical care we're covered. We're willing to pay out of pocket for dr. visits because we just don't do them.

Anyways, this is really not put together well. My basic questions is what do you do when lose state medical coverage?

[Porcelain Interior]

Well it depends, how much money do you have to pay for healthcare each month? Also do you have pre-existing conditions?

[Smithie]

Given the fact that you are right on the line and your income has just changed, I would appeal this with the state. Get an appointment for next month, go in with the new, lower pay stubs, and make your case.

If that doesn't pan out - you can buy a high deductible plan privately, I have several elderly relatives who have done this and the costs were reasonable even for them. Or, if you have no house or other large assets and you are in school, with a plan to get a job and sign up for their group insurance in the next couple of years - you might just go uninsured for awhile.

It's insane that we are even talking about this. WHERE IS MY NATIONAL HEALTH CARE? I HATE AMERICAN POLITICS!!!!!

[EricaDoula]

What about Healthy NY?

[leavemealone]

I'd contact them and let them know your income is not going to be the same. If you wanted an independent plan that you'd pay out of pocket, you can look at ehealthinsurance for quotes.

[ArtsyMomma]

Go back in with your new pay stubs (or lack thereof) and re-apply. I think there is an option to pay the premium on the Healthy NY/Family Health Plus, and the premium can range from something like $15 to $300. Just because you were turned down, doesn't mean it's your only option! The kids may still be covered, if your Dh has VA, that really just leaves you uninsured. If you got pregnant again, you would be covered - so for the time being you could get that 'disaster' insurance if you felt you needed too (the kind you mentioned, where you pay all dr visits etc, but it covers major stuff)

[dsaucone]

Originally Posted by EricaDoula

What about Healthy NY?

That's only if DH didn't have health insurance available through work. I'm reasonably sure.

[gbailey]

Originally Posted by dsaucone

That's only if DH didn't have health insurance available through work. I'm reasonably sure.

We have Family Health Plus too. Call whichever insurer you have under the plan and let them know you have different pay stubs to submit. THey should be able to tell you the quickest way to deal with appealing this. Good luck. Remember, with FHP, your income is based on everyone living in the household even if they are already insured.

[dsaucone]

Originally Posted by gbailey

We have Family Health Plus too. Call whichever insurer you have under the plan and let them know you have different pay stubs to submit. THey should be able to tell you the quickest way to deal with appealing this. Good luck. Remember, with FHP, your income is based on everyone living in the household even if they are already insured.

We don't have an insurer. We had premiums reimbursed through my employer. When I switched to per diem, I no longer had health insurance offered to me. It's only me and DH and I'm using both our incomes. Family health plus, and health ny are two different programs, I believe.