COBRA and other Affordable Health Insurance When You are Fired

Why can't an average, working person get Masshealth when they discover a brain tumor has returned?

I looked into the guidelines and did a pre-qualification test based on my own personal financial information.

In order for a family of five to qualify for Masshealth, they must not have income of more than $2,800 a month, or 133% the federal poverty level. Masshealth recognizes the disability, but you must meet income guidelines to qualify.

Medicare, the federally funded health insurance for people over 65 or those with certain disabilities is also very confusing. If you are disabled, you must meet certain criteria before you qualify for coverage.

First, if you have end stage renal disease, you qualify right away. If you have a different disability, you must be out of work and collecting SSDI for at least 24 months before you qualify.

This scenario leaves those with some ability and desire to work stuck in the middle. What if you work part time, collect from your private disability insurance and only periodically collect SSDI?

I would think there are special circumstances where the government would approve Medicare health coverage, despite not having collected SSDI for two years, but I wouldn't count on it.

COBRA does offer reduced payments if you are under financial hardship or disabled, but for a certain period of time. Although reduced payments are more than welcome, a person with a diagnosed malignant brain tumor should not have to pay for health care costs.

There is still a gap between COBRA coverage and Medicare, even when you get approved. COBRA lasts for 18 months (as far as I am aware) and Medicare coverage doesn't start until you have collected SSDI for 24 months.

When you are approved for Medicare, this is still not the end all be all we would think it is. Ask an older relative who is on Medicare and they will tell you that Medicare doesn't pay for medications unless, again, you meet federal poverty level guidelines and apply for certain programs.