[stougas]

I have health insurance through my job and have applied for Mass. Health insurance benefits ( I live in Mass) how long is my employer required to keep me on the company health insurance plan and when does Cobra kick in?

[stougas]

Can I collect unemployment ins. When I am unable to work or do I have to apply for SS disability insurance

[emilyb799]

I don't know I'm so sorry to hear about your cancer. Does Google know?.

[JudyKayTee]

Can I collect unemployment ins. When I am unable to work or do I have to apply for SS disability insurance

You cannot collect Unemployment insurance unless you are ready, willing and able to work -

Yes, you will file for SS Disability when the short-term disability runs out. I believe you can file after 5 months and collect after 6.

[stougas]

I am applying for SSDI and state sponsored health insurance while I am dealing with cancer treatments.
How do I deal with unpaid hospital bills?

[JudyKayTee]

I am applying for SSDI and state sponsored health insurance while I am dealing with cancer treatments.
How do I deal with unpaid hospital bills?

Do you have health insurance in the interim? Otherwise you contact the various support organizations and ask if they can help you OR you owe money and make payments.

[stougas]

How long will I be able to stay on my employers health insurance

[JudyKayTee]

Please stop opening new threads - are you asking about Cobra?

It's not just one answer and depends on the number of employees and a few other factors - U.S. Department of Labor - Find It By Topic - Health Plans & Benefits - Continuation of Health Coverage – COBRA

[smearcase]

This is an old 2010 article but it is all I could find on that topic: Health Insurers Agree to Stop Dropping Sick Customers Ahead of Schedule - Political Hotsheet - CBS News

Maybe it will lead you to something more current.

[joypulv]

A lot of these questions can't be answered easily, because they depend on income and assets (savings and property). You need to connect with a town social worker. Every town has one, even if shared. Start with your personnel department. Cobra isn't cheap. If you are going to be without funds soon, you will be applying for Medicaid as well as Medicare and SSDI. Medicaid is state funded while SSDI and Medicare (which are offered together) are federal. There's a lot to work out and I hope you find someone to go over finances with you. Visiting nurses would be good to call, because they can not only advise about coverage but also start a file if you need home care a few days a week.
You shouldn't be worrying about this, or at least try not to. Your medical care will not be turned down while coverage is worked out.

[Kelly2632]

If you have been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer you should be able to get SSI immediately. Pancreatic Cancer has absolutely NOTHING to do with COBRA. It is a terminal illness with no known cure and no early detection methods.

A good source for information is www.pancan.org. Call their PALS line and they can lead you in the right direction!

[JudyKayTee]

If you have been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer you should be able to get SSI immediately. Pancreatic Cancer has absolutely NOTHING to do with COBRA. It is a terminal illness with no known cure and no early detection methods.

A good source for information is Pancreatic Cancer Action Network | no cost patient support, information, resources. Call their PALS line and they can lead you in the right direction!

What? He's interested in continuing his health insurance through COBRA. I don't understand your comment: "Pancreatic Cancer has absolutely NOTHING to do with COBRA." He is asking about COBRA and not being able to work, not about Pancreatic Cancer and how it's related to COBRA.

I looked at the site and notice that they list survivors. Your info is that it is 100% fatal?

[Kelly2632]

The OP says "I have pancreatic cancer and will not be able to return to work. I am 49 years old". Pancreatic Cancer is a terminal illness - the 4th leading cause of cancer deaths in the US. He is eligible for SS Disability immediately because he has this diagnosis. I'm giving him even more information that is specific to his disease.

[JudyKayTee]

The OP says "I have pancreatic cancer and will not be able to return to work. I am 49 years old". Pancreatic Cancer is a terminal illness - the 4th leading cause of cancer deaths in the US. He is eligible for SS Disability immediately because he has this diagnosis. I'm giving him even more information that is specific to his disease.

Here's what he asked: "I have health insurance through my job and have applied for Mass. Health insurance benefits ( I live in Mass) how long is my employer required to keep me on the company health insurance plan and when does Cobra kick in?"

He asks nothing about SS and his prognosis. Maybe he wants and need the info about his particular type of cancer. If so, he posted under the wrong category, "Bankruptcy and Debt."

He then went on to ask about paying otherwise unpaid hospital bills. His concerns as posted were all financial.

He's trying to keep health insurance.

[joypulv]

Also Kelly2632, working people don't apply for SSI, they apply for SSDI.

[JudyKayTee]

Also Kelly2632, working people don't apply for SSI, they apply for SSDI.

Good catch, Joy - I totally missed it.