For those of you on COBRA: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) enacted a new 65 percent subsidy for COBRA premiums paid by qualified beneficiaries who lose coverage because of a covered employee’s involuntary termination from employment at any time from September 1, 2008, through December 31, 2009. Those who are eligible for the subsidy are called assistance-eligible individuals (AEIs).
You are supposed to be notified by your plan by April 18, but in case you want to see what the notice will say, go to:
I am sure this will help many, but not me I left work to care for my wife in Feb 2008. I have to pay the full amount nearly $900.00 per month. My wife is 62 and will not get Medicare till October 2009
Actually-sometimes COBRA is more expensive than private. I got put into a farmers' group, had to pay $10/year for membership and got a really good BC/BS rate. On the down side-due to monthly magazines I got to learn more about raising hogs than I ever wanted to know.
I trust everyone has checked into AARP's health insurance. I never have, but my neighbor was saying she didn't have insurance after she quit her job...and checked into AARP's Group Health Insurance and it was very affordable and she was happy with her coverage. That was several years ago, but I notice they still advertise it in their publications. Might be worth looking into. We have Medicare and Aetna (part of DH's retirement package) so we have not had reason to check for other policies.
Nancy B, Might be a good idea to check those other insurance options, we had insurance through my husband's retirement package also, then GM/Delphi decided to take salary retirees insurance away.
I was watching The Today Show this week and the subject of Cobra insurance was one of the topics they were discussing. They recommend to check out rates on http://www.einsurance.com/ . I hope this helps!
Beachgirl, Thanks for the link. My sister has been laid off since July and has been paying the full amount for her Cobra. She isn't eligible for the stimulus premium deduction so I will forward the link to her.