 |
 |
Barb - I wish every legislator could (meaning, would take the time to) read your letter, and one like it from 1000 other PWP. You've painted such a clear picture of the financial and *human* toll this disease takes. For every PWP out there, there's a similar story of financial dilemmas and Catch-22s. Come to think of it, it wouldn't do the general public any harm to hear it either. Thanks for putting the case so clearly. I want to respond to one specific item in your letter that worries me. You wrote: > >In addition to losing SSDI, if I'm still working 36 months after my >employment >start-date, I will also lose my Medicare benefit, which means I'll be >out-of-pocket each month - IF I CAN GET private medical coverage once again, >due to the PD. I'm currently using the services if Kaiser Permanante, an >outstanding (in my opinion) HMO, due to Medicare, and I'm not sure if they'd >take me on if I was off Medicare. Before you hit the 36-month mark, I hope you'll check on this. I don't know of any private insurance carrier that will insure a PWP - not for health insurance, and not even for life insurance. I should amend that to say that I guess there are a few that will offer insurance at an exhorbitant rate - there was a woman in our support group who was paying $1000 a month for health insurance. If you find out, will you let the net know? And please, for your sake, don't let the 36-month period slip by without knowing where you stand. Warmly, Margie Swindler [log in to unmask]