Your story is a perfect example of why having insurance tied to employment is such a bad idea.

That said, what to do next. Is your employer sympathetic, and someone who will try to help you find a good solution? Is there an HR department? It sounds like you are in the healthcare field. I get the impression that they tend to be pretty uncaring if an employee becomes ill or injured. Just the type of irony you are in no position to laugh about now.

As far as getting your records goes, drive over to the office, tell them why you are there, then sit in the waiting room until you have them on disc or paper.

Have you talked to your state's Department of Vocational Rehabilitation? This is exactly what they are there for.

when I realized that I was no longer going to be able to do a physical job --and I had to change jobs due to job elimination I went looking for a desk job, took a pay cut (to start) but it is a good company and they do have good benefits, so even though it took some time I am in a better place :) I know change is scary but sometimes you just have to...

I feel your pain. Thankfully, I do have a desk job, but I'm finding it difficult to even do that. It's hard when you're on your feet for hours on end, but surprisingly, I have found that it's almost as hard being stuck in a chair all day too!

I get stiff and painful and then when I try to get up and move, I can't! I have to use a cane on my bad days and wear arthritis gloves to do anything. Unfortunately, this job is all about my hands and work with computers, papers, writing, etc. It's not fun!

I can't get Short Term Disability or FMLA, so I'm screwed no matter what and I can't afford to NOT work. Also, my health insurance is through my employer, so I can't lose that.

It's really difficult. :( Hang in there!

You are in a tough spot. I'm so sorry. When you have a physically challenging job, pain can make it so much harder, sometimes impossible. Could you get a sit down job there? I was a welder. I worked with heavy metal, welding the frames for room size partitions. I didn't quit though. The company let me go. Said they couldn't accommodate my restrictions. I did apply for social security disability and was denied. I got a lawyer and appealed and was denied again. The judge said in his reply that as I was able to load and unload my dishwasher, he believed I should have no problems welding 6 to 8 hours a day, lifting 50 pounds occasionally and 25 pounds consistently. *sigh*
If my dishes weighed 25 pounds I wouldn't be loading or unloading my dishwasher either. It's tough to know what to do.

Love it, Sheri. The judge sits on his lazy ass all day and says he can't see why you can't lift 25 lbs all day? He probably has "help" to load and unload his dishwasher and doesn't understand any of this.

I just lost my job in late Jan; after getting my insurance Jan 1. I'm still not sure what the status is at the moment. I have coverage somehow but they haven't billed me for the premiums or sent me any info for Cobra to extend it so I'm in limboland.

I was run over by the RA train in Dec and by Jan 6 couldn't push myself into the office anymore. It hit my hips too bad to even walk much less bathe. And I had a desk job. I couldn't imagine 12hrs on my feet & physically lifting people too. No way no how could I do that even on a good day.

I know how the guilt and feeling like your just whining & being lazy takes over your subconcious. You're not lazy. Look what you do in a day! The pain is real. That much I do know. I also know how important keeping your insurance is especially being sick.

Like Alto says, that's the problem with being tied to your employer. You are literally tied to them. Hurting yourself & getting sicker in the process.

I would get to the Dr office & park in the waiting room until you have what you need. Its worth the aggravation for 4wks pay. Get the info to the STD co and call them everyday til they send your check. And keep sending your checks every week. (You fax the paperwork to them dont wait on the dr office to do it. You'll just add time & frustration.)Hold on to the STD as long as possible then roll it to LTD if you can. In the meantime go to the website and start pricing out comparable insurance plans from the marketplace. You may even qualify for subsidies that will lower your out of pocket premiums. Its the same insurance companies in your state. You might even find the same coverage you have now. Then insurance will be yours regardless who you work for or if you are on leave. If you get SSDI down the road Medicare kicks in in 2yrs.

Good luck and I hope you work something out soon.

Emerald

Sherr that is so idiotic!
Wow do these judges have any clue how these diseases effect the body? Change day to day? That the treatment meant to help can land the patient in bed? How can a judge make a ruling when they are obviously clueless?
Idiots

Deanma, tough one, very tough.
Mine involved lifting. No way. Thankfully I have my husband.
Everything is so difficult.
Sometimes our bodies decide for us.
The type of job really can make a difference, even so any job can be a challenge.
I wish you the best of luck deciding. Wish I had better advice.
Sammy

than you for your posts... i dont know what to do. i am a nurse and no, my boss isnt flexible. in maine, would i be eligible for mainecare? and does it cover the expensive treatments i may need? should i get an mri on my hips? i wonder if the medicine kicks in, will the hip pain back pain go down? is that being too optimistic?

Damn a welder!? There are some superheros on this board for sure!

And I'm sure the judge doesn't even know where his dishwasher is and his wife has a housekeeper for such mundane things! Jeesh

Please apply for the Obamacare through your state registry. You can apply online, make your first payment and you are covered. It saved my life as I was laid off from my job due to health issues and lost my insurance and was in the same panic as you are. I found a very affordable plan with a very low deductible.I was able to keep one of my three doctors but found new ones who are very good as well in my area. Depending on your household income you will be offered a generous subsidy mine was 436.00 towards the plans offered. The one I chose costs 246./mo and covers both my husband and I. We are very happy with the plan we bought. Don't be tied to a job you cannot do because of medical insurance. We have the option now of getting insurance if we're not working and it was a lifesaver for me ! I hope you can find an affordable plan and have peace of mind again.

thats a good idea. thank you!

I had to laugh.................."that judge probably doesn't even know where his dishwasher is" LOL. I thought the exact same thing when I first read the report. He sure as heck isn't the one loading and unloading it if he thinks it's comparable to welding all day.

The thing is though............I can't do it. Many days it's hard to get around the house. Maybe in time if the doctor finds the right meds but so far, I know I couldn't.

I'm in awe with all of you that go in, day after day. I know how very hard it is for each of you. I'd like to lend that judge our pain for one month. I think he would then be a more compassionate judge.

Oh heck, I'm not that nice. I'd like to give it to him permanently.

You know, we've been awfully hard on this poor judge. I'm going to give him a gift: he can have my right shoulder for a whole week. Heck, I'll even throw in my right hand for him, too. AND the vial of methotrexate and a needle. Anyone else have a gift for him?

Deanma, there's no reason you wont qualify for insurance. There's no income requirements under Obamacare/ACA. Its not Medicare/Medicaid. Its not govt insurance. Its just the govt placing rules on the existing insurance companies like having to cover pre-existing conditions etc. The same insurance companies licensed in your state are still giving you the coverage. That's why I mentioned going to the website & looking at the options. Then you can research what tests they cover & drs on the plan. With the ACA you may qualify for subsidies to lower your premiums. That IS based on your income but the coverage or qualifying isn't. Unfortunately I live in Ga which has rejected the Medicare expansion option. So my choices are very limited with large deductibles. Not sure how this benefits Georgians when the Feds are offseting the difference.

As for that judge..he can have my elephant feet & sausage toes. I also wish the elevator is broken and he has to hump stairs to his courtroom on the highest floor in the building. He's probably on the 13th floor.