Jan 3, 2011 04:10PM EnglishMajor wrote:

 I can't answer your question, but I am pretty sure others can and will do so shortly.  These sites also may help: 

http://www.cancerandcareers.org/women/paperwork/

www.disabilityrightslegalcente... 

 http://www.ovariancancer.org/2010/09/27/frequently-asked-questions-about-health-reform/

 Health Reform FAQ:

Will everyone have insurance?

By and large, everyone will be required to have health insurance. Those who choose not to purchase insurance will face tax penalties. The law specifically states that people cannot be imprisoned for not having health insurance.

Until 2014, when some provisions take effect, people with pre-existing conditions will most likely purchase insurance through high risk pools, also known as Preexisting Condition Insurance Plans (PCIP).

The law creates Health Insurance Exchanges - a place to buy and sell health insurance, like a shopping mall for health insurance plans, that meets certain standards, does not discriminate against those with preexisting conditions and is an option to the individual market or employer based plans. Unauthorized immigrants will be prohibited from purchasing insurance on the exchanges, even with their own money.

Will the government be able to make decisions about when people can have life saving care?

There is no such thing as death panels. This is a myth based on a proposed amendment to the health reform bill that was not included in the final bill. The proposed amendment would have allowed Medicare to reimburse doctors for having end-of-life planning conversations with patients, but did not in any way require stopping care.

A provision of the law provides funding for comparative effectiveness - the process by which two or more treatments for the same condition are evaluated for patient outcomes. Within that provision, the law states that all reasonable and necessary treatments shall still be covered by Medicare and that based on the results of clinical comparative effectiveness research shall not be used to deny care.

Did all provisions of the bill go into effect March 23, 2010

Not all provisions of the law will be applicable to everyone immediately. Certain provisions of the law take effect at different times, until 2014 when the entire law is implemented.

Some plans, called grandfathered plans, are exempt from some provisions. Grandfathered plans are those that were in existence on or before March 23, 2010, the date of PPACA's (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) enactment. A plan can lose its grandfathered status if it substantially decreases benefits including employer contributions, decreases coverage of a certain condition, or increases the co-payment structure.

On September 23, six months after enactment, some provisions take effect, including

- Young adults up to age 26 may stay on their parents' health plan. This is applicable to all young adults, even married ones, and all health plans, including grandfathered ones.

- Children with preexisting conditions must be covered under all plans, except grandfathered plans purchased in the individual market

- Recission (cancellation of health insurance), except in the case of fraud, will be prohibited.

- Lifetime caps will be prohibited under all plans, including grandfathered plans (annual benefit caps will be phased out by 2014).

- Preexisting Condition Insurance Plans will be open in all states.

- Medicare beneficiaries who reach the "Donut Hole" will receive a $250 rebate.

- New plans will be required to cover preventive services and will not be able to charge a co-pay

Will drugs be approved if they aren't proven to be cost-effective?

The Food and Drug Administration's process of approving drugs is not affected by the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Drugs are approved based on recommendations from Advisory Committees presented with scientific data.

Can insurers stop covering certain groups of people or certain diseases?

Generally,no. If insurers change benefits by no longer covering a disease, the plan will no longer be grandfathered and will have to comply with all provisions of PPACA immediately. However, estimates suggest that only 50% of employer sponsored plans will remain grandfathered next year. We expect continued changes in th

Jan 3, 2011 04:28PM EnglishMajor wrote:

http://www.health.state.mn.us/hmo/hipaa.htm

 This is from a  Minnesota site, but would likely hold true for all states: 

Q. What is "certification of creditable coverage"?

A. Certification of Creditable Coverage is a statement showing your dates of coverage. This statement acts as a "receipt" and is automatically given to any covered person by an insurer, health maintenance organization, or plan administrator when the person loses coverage for any of several reasons:

* employment is terminated
* hours are reduced
* divorce
* death of the covered employee
* other reasons

With certification, when a person is enrolled in a new plan of coverage, he or she can apply creditable coverage against any limitation for a pre-existing condition.

Q. What is "receiving creditable coverage"?

A. Receiving Creditable Coverage means that a new employer or issuer may either: (1) accept the person's previous qualifying coverage without regard to the benefits covered, or (2) evaluate the benefits on a category-of-benefit basis.

Minnesota law does not permit an insured plan to use a "category-of-benefit" evaluation of previous coverage, although self-insured plans may do so.

Jan 3, 2011 05:13PM pamallen wrote:

Thanks for the responses everyone.  This is really confusing and the worst timing ever.  If we close before all my surgery & radiation is done, I do not know what I am gonna do!!!!! 

If my husband has insurance, and I lose my job are they required to take me because of a life changing event.  I have heard that but was not sure if it is true or not.  Sorry for all the questions, but I am really confused and as someone mentioned, I can't let my insurance lapse, but there will be no COBRA option.

Jan 3, 2011 05:39PM pamallen wrote:

largo, thanks so much.  That really eases my mind.  One more question if you don't mind.  When I do get a new job and apply for their insurance, would I be considered preexisting and not able to get it?

Jan 3, 2011 05:44PM Bren-2007 wrote:

You may also be considered as having a preexisting condition on your DH's plan.  He needs to check with his company.  I know that if I went on my DH's plan, I would not be covered for 12 months because of preexisting condition.  He has BC/BS.

Sending you best wishes that all will work out for you,

Bren