Question
1.) Last year, following several years of high medical expenses for a condition that finally went into remission, Mutual of Omaha cancelled my individual health insurance policy. They offered no explanation other than that they were no longer going to provide the types of policy that I had and that the law allowed them to cancell all such (\"non-group\") policies provided they did it equally for everyone. Is this true? With my medical history it was impossible to secure new coverage. (I applied to the company they said was picking up the the Mutual of Omaha plans, but I was denied.) My condition has since resurfaced and I now have no way to pay for treatment.
2.) I have since discovered that many states are now offering "insurance of last resort" programs, however they all require that you apply within a limited about of time from when your insurance was cancelled. Because Mutual of Omaha failed to inform me of these programs and their requirements, I didn't know they existed until recently, and now the time for application has expired. Is there any way to fix this problem?
[What is the name of your state? IL - Illinois]
Answer
I personally have not heard of "insurance of last resort" programs. You could try Googling the name of the company or government entity that administers those programs and contact them to determine if you have an opportunity to apply.
Medicare and/or Medicaid may cover you as well. Google those to find out what the eligibility criteria are and how to apply.
Answer
MOO's exit from the market caught quite a few people by surprise. In some states the DOI assisted in finding carriers to assume policyholders caught in this action.
I have no idea what IL did in this regard.
Am I to understand you applied for coverage last year, were denied, and have gone without insurance since that time?
For what its worth, a carrier who decides to exit a market is under no obligation to inform each policyholder of their options. Many will do so as a courtesy.
If so you may be SOL unless IL has some form of high risk pool. You can also look into employer sponsored group health plans.
Answer
Yes, I have been without insurance now for almost two years. (After my post this afternoon, I rechecked the dates.)
Thanks for you reply. If the insurance companies showed a little bit of the courtesy you spoke of, there would be less pressure in Washington for more regulation and/or socialized medicine. Too bad the guys in Omaha just don't get it.
I have discovered that Illinois has a program of last resort, but it is "waitlisted." So, I guess I am still, as you put it, SOL.
Thanks again.
Answer
You obviously had no control over MOO's decision to exit the market. As indicated, this was a surprise to quite a few people.
However their leaving does not excuse your 2 year wait to do anything about replacement coverage.
In the last few years "my" dry cleaner retired, a gas station I frequented closed, and "my" dentist retired. Guess its a good thing I have been able to find replacements for all of these providers, otherwise I would have to wear dirty clothes, would not be able to drive my car and I hate to think how bad my teeth might have been.
Of course it would have been nice if each of these providers had found a suitable replacement for me rather than expecting me to put forth some effort.
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I would only use a last resort carrier under dire, dire circumstances.
Often, these kinds of policies are very expensivve, have limited coverage, and a lot of stipulations.
Answer
I don't know what I did, but I was not done.
Anyway, rather than to make you feel rotten for waiting 2 years for not having coverage, we need to work on obtaining new coverage for you!! Personally, when I was single, I opted out of paying for coverage as well......but I was fortunate that I was not sick during that time!
So, if you have a chronic illness, you may try to apply for Medicaid and/or Medicare as stated above.
You could go to your county website under "human services" for the medicaid application. The Medicaid application is sort of long, however, getting the appointment is typically quick - I believe that they schedule your appointment within 10 days of receiving your app (at least in my county). I think that there is emergency Medicaid benefits available, as well, You will have to check into that.
For Medicare, their website is or call 800-633-4227.
Many insurers have a pre-existing clause, so with your chronic condition it may be difficult now to obtain coverage (decent coverage). It would have been easier for you to take your Mutual Omaha coverage certificate and/or cancellation notice to a new carrier showing continuous coverage. But since that is not the case, you're going to have to do some legwork here.
I'd try those options above and then perhaps move on and try a larger carrier if you can not get an employer sponsored plan. Blue Cross/Blue Shield has many options for direct purchase plans.
They also have a website -
Good luck
Answer
It is too easy to suppose that everyone else's circumstances are the same as your own – and to make callous remarks from that viewpoint.
This writer may want to consider that I was critically ill to the point of being just barely ambulatory, and at times so incapacitated that I couldn't bath or dress myself for days at a time. Treatment entailed extensive corticosteroid therapy that lasted 5 years, which is 3 years beyond that normally considered without risk for affecting a person's mind. The therapy (along with the circumstances) created extended periods of depression and memory loss severe enough that clear recollection of those years is impossible for me.
Despite all this, I managed to return to school, obtain a degree, and to mostly maintain my independence. So, you will have to pardon me, if during this time, I neglected to find a new dry cleaner. I am pretty damn proud of myself for having survived and for having done so mostly on my own.
By the way, I did apply to another insurance company following my original cancellation. I was declined due to pre-existing conditions.
You obviously had no control over MOO's decision to exit the market. As indicated, this was a surprise to quite a few people.
However their leaving does not excuse your 2 year wait to do anything about replacement coverage.
In the last few years "my" dry cleaner retired, a gas station I frequented closed, and "my" dentist retired. Guess its a good thing I have been able to find replacements for all of these providers, otherwise I would have to wear dirty clothes, would not be able to drive my car and I hate to think how bad my teeth might have been.
Of course it would have been nice if each of these providers had found a suitable replacement for me rather than expecting me to put forth some effort.
Answer
I hope that you can secure coverage through some of channels that I provided to you - or that they can point you in the right direction.
Good luck and ignore the crotchety comments
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I hope that you can secure coverage through some of channels that I provided to you - or that they can point you in the right direction.
Good luck and ignore the crotchety comments
Thanks for your help -- and courtesy. --S.
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Because Mutual of Omaha failed to inform me of these programs and their requirements, I didn't know they existed until recently, and now the time for application has expired.
Accepting personal responsibility is a matter of choice and something expected of adults. Those who abdicate this role pay the price.
I personally wish no ill on anyone, nor do I fail to find empathy in medical conditions that afflict others. But all too often many wish to pass the buck and blame others for their own actions and decisions.
In this case, options were available but were not fully explored.
Singing lessons are now over.
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Somarco,
It is an embarrassment for me that, prior to my illness, your position was precisely my own. As it is, I appreciate that you are a principled person who is fortunate enough to be speak from a position of innocence. I hope that you never have to address your ignorance, as I would not wish my health history on anyone. I would suggest, however, that you reconsider your association with this website. Offering condescending opinions on circumstances, rather than practical advice on solutions, is not the role of this site.
Accepting personal responsibility is a matter of choice and something expected of adults. Those who abdicate this role pay the price.
I personally wish no ill on anyone, nor do I fail to find empathy in medical conditions that afflict others. But all too often many wish to pass the buck and blame others for their own actions and decisions.
In this case, options were available but were not fully explored.
Singing lessons are now over.