2 Questions Please help!

[tammy197238]

My husband just got a new job.  So my insurance is going to lapse.  I am from Indiana and wondered if anyone knew if I had to buy the cobra insurance of if i coudl go without for 60 days or what the rules are.

Second.  I did my Avonex injection last night in arm.  It was strange because it kind of raised into a welt below the injection site and it was really warm.  I woke up this morning and the welt is gone but its red all around it and hot.  I kind of had the same reaction last week to the flu shot.  why do you think its happening and should i be concerned?

[MonkeyMom4]

Cobra is expensive but I would definitely buy it! You don't ever want to give an insurance company a reason not to cover you.

As for the arm, it sounds like it might be just an injection site reaction or a mild infection. Make sure you clean the area very well before giving yourself the shot.

If it doesn't show improvement over the next day I would call your doctor.

-Kelly

good luck!

[anon07072023]

There's a lady at my work that was out of work for a little bit because she was laid off, and so she let her insurance lapse. Now she has insurance through our work. She just found out that they're not covering her rheumatoid arthritis because it's a pre-existting condition. I think it's because she let her insurance lapse. I know COBRA is really expensive. You probably should research what the laws are. I tried to read them before, but I'm not sure if I understand it completely.  

[tammy197238]

I know!  Insurance is sooo confusing.  From what I have found out is that I can have a 62 day period with no insurance before it is considered preexisting condition??  so if my husband gets insurance in 90days i think i might only have to buyy on month of the cobra.  I plan to call when i get cobra papers but just wanted to see if anyone else could verify.
I did call Avonex and they say I prequalify for free drug program and I sent my tax forms from last year and they will tell me if I qualify for longer than that.  I stopped the injections for a few weeks so I do have 2more before i'm out.  Thanks for answering...I always worry about things and stress out...i find comfort in getting other opinions just in case someone else has been through it and can help with something I haven't thought about.

[LisaJF]

I hear you on the "stress" and lord knows, you don't need anymore than you have on your plate already.

I'm glad you prequalify for Avonex and will pray that you will qualify for longer than they anticipate.

Here's a hug for you.

I hope all works out.

Lisa

[Guitar_grrrl]

Definitely do COBRA!  If for any reason your husband's insurance take longer than 62 days to kick in, you will have that pre-existing condition to deal with.  It will be expensive, but if it's only for 2-4 months, I'd tough it out and pay.

The same thing happened to me when I left a job.  I thought I was going to be able to get my own policy, but when I found out I'm totally uninsurable, I applied for COBRA at the last minute!  Whew!!

[Jifr]

Hi there:

Read all of the COBRA documents when you get them.  There is a delay in when you would have to pay the COBRA premium.

Is this the first Avonex injection you've done in your arm?  (I haven't been on Avonex in forever but I never did one in my arm...)

[sllowe]

Hi Tammy,

How did you make out w/the insurance? All clear?

The warm, red silver dollar sized area around injection sites is definitely  normal. Keep your eye on it though, and if you see any vast changes, have your prescribing doc take a look.

-shell

[tammy197238]

I haven't received the cobra papers yet...i guess they have 30 days to get them to me.   I will figure it all out when it comes I hope!  

My nurse showed us 2 locations in arm.  The area was alot larger than a silver dollar but went away a couple of days.  So its good.  Thanks for helping me everyone.