Health insurance options in PA?

miracle · #1 (**permalink**) 07-18-2002, 04:47 AM

We are unemployed. Family of 4. Need helath insurance. I have to get my depo shot on the 24th and now have to pay$75 for the shot and 18 dollars for them to stick a needle in my arm. Are there any options out there? Cobra, we cant afford. If we paid it monthly we would have been broke awhile ago.

**ajrsmom** · #2 (**permalink**) 07-18-2002, 10:49 AM

Hi Miracle

I have sent you a private message concerning some insurance info. Get back to me and Ill send it to you if youre interested.

I didnt want to print it here because it could be taken for advertising. I am not involved with this in any way, it is just some info. given to my husband and his fellow workers due to the job loses in their company.

Tami

mulberry204 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-20-2002, 08:43 AM

Miracle: My daughter lost her job due to 9-11 and needed health insurance like you do. She couldn't afford the Cobra either. She called U.S.A.A. and got fairly good insurance for a good price. It has a high deductible though, so is mainly good for major problems. To belong to U.S.A.A., you have to have been a member of the service, or your parents have to have been members of the service. Call them. I believe Amy's insurance is about $260.00 for 3 months, but then again that is only for one person. It was the best we could find for the price. Golden Rule (or Golden Door) Insurance has also been good in the past. It is also fairly inexpensive. It is not available everywhere, but is worth a try. Also, maybe your town has health clinics for people caught in your situation. I know we do. Call Planned Parenthood, call your doctor, ask around. Good luck. It is a scary feeling to be without insurance. Hope something works out for you.

vbuttercup · #4 (**permalink**) 07-20-2002, 10:16 AM

you can try your local DSHS (department of social and health services) in most states if you quailfy they offer state vouchers at least for the kids and free or reduced health ins for the whole family. in wa state the free health ins is if you make up to $3,017 a mo and low cost is you make $3,018-$3771 a mo for a family of 4.
you can also usually get free or reduced medical attention at your local health dept.(for everybody) or wic office for the kids

klcrn · #5 (**permalink**) 07-21-2002, 12:32 AM

I have been where you are!! Cobra is unbeliveable--if you could afford it-you wouldn't need to work!!

I found that I could go to the local family planning heath clinic and I received my gyne visit free with free birth control pills (this was before depo). It was based on our income-which was really low at the time but when I started working again-they still had a much reduced cost. The doctors were residents but I always received good care. I believe there was also a general family medicine clinic. DON'T be too proud to go--your tax dollars help fund these clinics so they belong to you too!!

Also PA has the CHIPS program for children that helps cover health care for low income families--again--your tax dollars at work--check into it.

Hope this helped a little--hang in there-the sun will shine again

and rainbows will appear

. My thoughts are with you--

redcardinalbird · #6 (**permalink**) 07-21-2002, 12:35 AM

Check with you local health department. I know most counties have one. Ours offer all services, including family planning, which is on a payment fee according to your income and number in your household. They also offer visits for the children. If you live in a larger city, a lot of times they offer a complete line of care.

Also every state has insurance for the kids that fall in the cracks, they ones that cannot be on Medicaid but can't afford to purchase insurance. Check with your state Dept of Health or Social Services. A lot of schools should have this info also.

Good luck!

EvilHelga · #7 (**permalink**) 07-21-2002, 08:30 PM

HI! My son is in the low cost health ins program - CHIP and we just applied for their adult program called adultBasic- haven't heard yet. Here's the phone number - 1-800-543-7105 Good luck!

jkmartzall · #8 (**permalink**) 07-24-2002, 07:40 PM

Hi, I dont usually post on this board but Your post got my attention in the newsletter. Have you tried applying for Access? If dh is laid off depending on how much he is collecting for unemployment if any, You could qualify. look up your local public assistance office in the phone book and call and ask them to send you an application. If you get denied you can try for lowcost insurance, the people at the assistance office can instruct you in how to go about it. but for many of them you have to be denied for medical assistence first. If you do get accepted they will pay any medical bills for the previous 3 months. And in some instences they can help arrange payment of your COBRA. Hope this helps you out some.
Good Luck,
Jen

banda · #9 (**permalink**) 07-26-2002, 03:09 AM

We, too, are currently searching for affordable health insurance for our family. I was recently made aware of a program called "careentree" which, although it is not insurance, does provide some of the same reduced costs for services and medications that the insurance companies receive. I have looked over the info on the web and although we have not applied for this yet, it might be something you would be interested in looking into. You can go to www.careentree.com to check it out for yourself. Good luck !