# Health insurance: need help badly **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 20, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-need-help-badly/600282 "2011-10-20T18:57:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-need-help-badly/600282/1 "2011-10-20T18:57:24Z")
I royally screwed up and got my COBRA cancelled. I paid several months in advance, then forgot that those months were up. Missed the grace period and it was cancelled. It would have run out in March. Making it worse, I am self-employed. Worse still, I have pre-existing conditions for which I am being treated and are chronic. Yay. I need to figure this out pronto, and unfortunately, this kind of stuff is my Achilles’ heel. I think the best plan is getting a high-deductible plan, as I can handle the expenses of my meds and occasional doctor’s visits, but not a big hospitalization. I was advised (by ehealthinsurance) to look for a HIPAA plan with no underwriting for at least temporary coverage, but Humana told me I don’t qualify as I caused my COBRA to be cancelled. Anyone know if that is true? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. I am trying to keep myself from panicking and don’t know where to turn. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-need-help-badly/600282/2 "2011-10-20T19:20:11Z")
This could be tough to solve, but it will vary based on the laws/insurance regulations in your state. I would seek out a local Health Insurance broker and work with them - help here will be general at best and perhaps wrong for your situation and state. I am a fan of high-deductilble HSA plans (which my ex boss calls ‘Republican Plans’), so that is a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-need-help-badly/600282/3 "2011-10-20T19:27:05Z")
I am in Tennessee, if that helps. I have contacted two insurance brokers. One won’t call me back, the other was discouraging. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-need-help-badly/600282/4 "2011-10-20T19:33:00Z")
Those brokers suck. Keep looking. My independent broker was very helpful and found us a plan that would work. ---
**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-need-help-badly/600282/5 "2011-10-20T20:15:40Z")
I recently found out that NC has a high risk health insurance pool for those with pre-existing conditions. It appears that [Tennessee has one too](http://www.covertn.gov/web/access_tn.html), although I haven’t looked at the details at all. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-need-help-badly/600282/6 "2011-10-20T20:29:12Z")
> [@Baracus](#): > > I recently found out that NC has a high risk health insurance pool for those with pre-existing conditions. It appears that [Tennessee has one too](http://www.covertn.gov/web/access_tn.html), although I haven’t looked at the details at all. Another option to consider is a pre-existing condition plan. These are often different from high-risk insurance pools, most of which were around prior to health reform. Under health reform, all states are required to have a pre-existing condition insurance plan (usually referred to as a PCIP). Basically, if you have a pre-existing condition and have been denied coverage, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements, you should be able to get coverage through the PCIP. You can go to [healthcare.gov](http://healthcare.gov) or the cite above to check out your options. One important thing to note, though: PCIPs that are run by the state may have different rules than if they’re run by the federal government. The rules under health reform mandated that each state create a PCIP or the federal government would implement and run one for them. Those that refused to create a PCIP and were created by the federal government have standardized rules; those that were created by the state may have different rules. Tennessee’s PCIP is federally-run: [link](https://www.pcip.gov/StatePlans.html#StateInformation). ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-need-help-badly/600282/7 "2011-10-20T20:59:36Z")
When did your COBRA end? If it has been less than 60 days get another plan in place NOW because you won’t be penalized for your pre-ex situation. Also, where in Tennessee are you? I know some brokers who work there and they might be able to help you out. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-need-help-badly/600282/8 "2011-10-20T22:00:08Z")
Just heard from a broker who says because I did not exhaust my COBRA (I let it lapse), I am not eligible for plans that are in that 60 day range. _sigh_ I feel like an idiot. **pbbth** , I live outside of Nashville. Would love some recommendations for brokers. Thanks for the links, guys. Will look at them after work tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-need-help-badly/600282/9 "2011-10-25T18:11:36Z")
I am finally working my way through this mess. One fabulous resource I have found is a broker who even though he doesn’t have any insurance that works for me (and therefore is not making money from me) has been very helpful answering questions, giving me resources, and even comparing plans for me. In the spirit of good karma, his name is Bob, he works for east coast insurance, and his number is 888 803 5917, ext. 5004.