Mom being fired because of health - Health Insurance Issues Message Board

kim simone · 11-21-2002, 08:16 PM

Can an employer fire a person because of health reasons.? Her insurance premiums went up dramatically over the last year, and now they are telling her she is no longer needed. (3 months ago she was told she was a valued employee) She has been given until Jan. 1 to leave.

If she leaves, she will be without MUCH needed health insurance. It will devestate and BREAK her!

She lives in WI and I don't know what to do.

Kim

hootie · 11-22-2002, 01:05 PM

They can't fire her for health reasons, but they can lay her off if they say they no longer need her services. They know how to word it to make it legal. I've been through it. Usually you can pay the insurance premiums yourself through COBRA for 18 months. If your mother lives in an "at will" state, they can fire her with no reason. She may qualify for disability benefits if no one will hire her. She can also draw unemployment benefits for a while. Getting other health insurance is the problem, though. Many people are in the same boat.

kim simone · 11-22-2002, 05:36 PM

Hi Hootie!

I just found out, they are not firing her, they have told her they need to cut back on her hours. Which basically means she's screwed because she now won't have insurance. They KNOW she NEEDS it, and it will cost her a fortune to pay on her own. So they expect that she will quit. This way they don't have to pay unemployment either. They did word it "just so", so that they can't get sued. I swear these greedy employers have a special place in hell. She has put in almost 10 years with them and has been an excellent employee. Comes in early, leaves late......

I hate not being able to help her.

Thanks for the reply, and for letting me vent!

Kim

btreehouse · 11-23-2002, 03:06 AM

I'm sorry for your mom's situation. It seems unfair but life is that way sometimes.

It brings up another topic though that some don't realize about companies and health insurance. Companies can be "self insured" which means that insurance claims are payed out of an account the company holds (collected from premiums). Many assume it's always the insurance company that pays up. In a self insured account, all the insurance company does is administer the plan.

Best regards to you and I hope something good comes up for your mom.

hootie · 11-23-2002, 06:43 AM

Well, except for hospitalizations, it's possible to get by (not easy, but possible) without insurance. Public health departments give free services. They usually have doctors that do work for them for low cost or no cost. Some doctors will give free samples of meds to those who ask (mine does). Some drug companies do give drugs at low cost or no cost. Your doctor has to apply and fill out forms for this. There are clinics that do low cost or no cost care. There is a clinic in my town that serves the working poor for $8.00 a visit. I don't know your mother's health problems or needs. I'm just trying to give you some ideas so that you won't feel helpless. One of my friends lost her job and her insurance last year. She got another job, but hasn't been able to get insurance. Lots of people have this problem. And, oh yeah, there are at least a couple of hospitals in my state that are privately and publicly funded. One is for children and the other is general. They are free or pay if you can. There may be some where your mother lives, too.

[This message has been edited by hootie (edited 11-23-2002).]