Disability employed insurance self

My doctor sent in my claim stuff around Dec 18. I filled in the forms for elective coverage as I am self employed. Yesterday I just my "notice of computation" in the mail which shows my maximum benefit is $0. "You have insufficient earnings in the disability/paid family leave based period to establish your State Disability Insurance" - Well obviously this is because I'm self employed and I just moved in CA in March. I worked last year in WI. So what am I supposed to do now? I thought I'm eligible for some kind of benefit through elective coverage?

My father is a general contractor and has his own small business. He was recently at a job, slipped on some ice in the driveway, and broke his ankle. He's now out of work for 6 to 8 weeks. I know that when one of his crew members got injured, they filed a claim with workman's comp. Our health insurance (Cobra) is covering the cost of surgery and everything else medical, but I want to know if he's going to be able to get unemployment or disability or anything while he's unable to work. If it's relevant we live in Idaho and my mother was recently laid off.

The healthcare conundrum: Private matter? Or public? I am fortunate to have healthcare options provided by my employer. My premium of about $160/mo is higher than if I was to purchase a basic private health insurance from Anthem or Blueshield, etc, but I get comprehensive coverage and need only to worry over the average of $25 copays per doctor's visit. Unfortunately, our group health insurance does not make any empathetic cuts to spousal premiums. If I was to have our insurance cover him, we would be looking at a $300+/month expense that comes straight out of my pocket. My spouse, however, is like many other self-employed contractors who prefers to forgo private insurance and risk going about day to day without what I call a peace of mind. What of the inconceivable medical bill in the case of a freak accident? As a spouse/family member, I would have to assume the responsibility of covering his expenses in case of disability and lack of funds from his personal account (if no other party is held liable). What do you think? Do you think health insurance is overvalued? Can we really live normal lives without it?

Last year I was a temporary employee for a company for 8 months from April through December. The company paid into the CA-SDI fund as if I were a regular employee. This year I've been a consultant from January through the end of July. On August 1st, I had a serious bicycle accident and my primary doctor put me on disability for three months. Am I eligible for CA-SDI insurance because I worked for an employer last year? Looking at the web site, it seemed like I was eligible, but someone at the SDI office said I was defined as a consultant and therfore ineligible. One of the rules for being eligible is that you have to be working or looking for work before being disabled. I am wondering if their definition of working means being a W2 employee. Your advice is greatly appreciated.

This is the real deal. My husband is a general contractor and has been out of work for almost a year. We can no longer afford our overhead expenses like business liability insurance and advertising and now have to let the business go under and let his license go inactive. Although he is a very talented and well-referenced carpenter--there is simply no work in our geographic area--we live in the highest impacted construction job-loss area in the country. He cannot file for unemployment because he is self-employed. Although I work, my hours have been cut at my employer of 13 years and I am currently on disability for an injury that prevents me from seeking other employment at the moment (though I plan to get a second job as soon as I heal--if I can find one). I am essentially supporting my family on my disability pay--which isn't much. We're going to lose our house since we can't pay our mortgage right now--my husband was the primary breadwinner. I estimate 3 more months maybe before we'll be homeless. The immediate problem is that our savings have finally ran out. We had a full year of our expenses in the bank and now it's finally gone even though we budgeted very carefully. I now have to decide whether I should go ahead and let my car go--this would free up the $532 I pay per month plus an additional $110 in car insurance. My husband and I would then have to share his paid-off truck but at least I'd have more money for food. I have a 3 year old I need to feed. I have 2 days worth of food left on my house and no money. I've applied for food stamps, but it isn't going to come fast enough. What would you do? I have never been in this position in my life. I don't know what my options are. I am not a troll. I really need some options. I don't need to hear that we're losers or deadbeats--3 years ago, my husband and I had a combined income of more than $130,000 per year. We don't have any other debt besides our cars and mortgage--we've just fallen on hard times due to the collapse of our respective careers and the severe unemployment crises in our area. Compassionate, helpful answers would be sincerely appreciated. Our newly-remodeled **very pretty** house has been on the market for 2 years. We haven't had a single offer and have been through 3 different realty companies. We live in a waterfront community with very high taxes and flood insurance requirements. No one is looking at these houses. 4 houses on my street have gone into foreclosure in the last 3 months and the other 8 are all for sale. It is a saturated market. I do not have high hopes even for a short sale.

Complicated Work Comp Case Basic Overview: A friend of mine has found himself in a horrible situation after 1 year of Work Comp case proceedings. The following facts are pertinent to his specific situation: IN BRIEF Employment History: 1. Employed with employer 20+ years 2. Almost no Disciplinary or problems with employer until Company recently merged with another company and has since become "Self Insured". 3. Company began making constant demands for employee to sign "At Will" and "Acknowledgment" there of documents. 4. Employee got first write up in 20 years and asked to sign "at will" at the time of write up. Upon refusal to do so due to the contract stating that he was to carefully consider what he was signing, he was forced to a new machine for "training purposes" that of which he initially believed a prior injury may had been exacerbated due to repetitive motion of his wrist. Industrial Injury History: 1. Old injury to wrist 10 years before; new injury appears to be separate injury but may be contributing to aggravation of the newly diagnosed mild carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists. 2. Both past and present Injuries were sustained while with same employer New Injury: 1. Employee informed supervisor of swollen wrist while on new machine, he gave him wrapping gauze and sent him back to work. 2. 2 weeks later Employee went to emergency after a failed attempt to talk to the General Manager for swollen wrist and stress due to industrial injury as a result of being denied treatment. 3.Employer started immediate "fraud investigation". 4. Employer informed employee of UPN doctor he had to go to; employee complied not knowing rights at the time. 5. Employee sent to drug test; Doctor suitable to treat injuries was not in on the date of referral, also employer did not list the "wrist" injury, only listed "stress" on referral slip. 6. Employee returned to employer for correct referral slip and returned to UPN doctor who did no referral for psychiatric treatment and sent employee to get old medical records in part with return to work slip. 7. Employer had employee fill out wc form 1 almost a month after injury; he complied 8. Employer informed employee of need to separate claims; and verbal statement of denial saying "stress" is self inflicted due to detachment from machine. 9. Employee placed on Short Term Disability; pressured by employer to fill out FMLA forms and refused as it is industrial injury not FMLA related. 10. Employee obtained an Attorney 11. Employee complied with all doctor referrals from attorney 12. Employee wanted to get surgery and go back to work. ATTORNEY DISASTER/PRIORITY CONFERENCE 1. Employee sent formal request to attorney inclusive of questions as to why no expedite hearing had been requested in part with need for surgery, why he had been sent to a QME instead of a AME as informed in a letter, and why his deposition is scheduled after Priority Conference Date. 2. Attorney Request to Withdraw immediately 3. Attorney wont give original file 4. Attorney sent copy of file of 400+ papers mixed up that 5. Employee can't access WC WCAB file even after getting authorization from Sacramento; they claim 14 days for file to documents to be sent. 6. Copies of WC form sent in file copy from attorney state new claim for injury was submitted due to "harassment" without employees knowledge. No trace of original claim form (he does have a copy of the first one he actually filled out) 7. Attorney is still on record despite his claim to be relieved due to his request to Withdraw. 8. Employee just found out no medical records were entered on his behalf and priority conference is next week **Employee can't seem to be able to confirm insurance carrier of Employer. Nothing makes sense and Employee is breaking down. Is there any hope? Thank you kindly, any helpful suggestions are appreciated. Please consider the over whelming impact of such circumstance. How does he find an Attorney he can trust at this point? Aside from Cal State Bar...what can I help him do that is immediate? Thanks! Do you have any personal experience with that law firm?

Complicated Work Comp Case Basic Overview: A friend of mine has found himself in a horrible situation after 1 year of Work Comp case proceedings. The following facts are pertinent to his specific situation: IN BRIEF Employment History: 1. Employed with employer 20+ years 2. Almost no Disciplinary or problems with employer until Company recently merged with another company and has since become "Self Insured". 3. Company began making constant demands for employee to sign "At Will" and "Acknowledgment" there of documents. 4. Employee got first write up in 20 years and asked to sign "at will" at the time of write up. Upon refusal to do so due to the contract stating that he was to carefully consider what he was signing, he was forced to a new machine for "training purposes" that of which he initially believed a prior injury may had been exacerbated due to repetitive motion of his wrist. Industrial Injury History: 1. Old injury to wrist about ten years back; new injury appears to be separate injury but may be contributing to aggravation of the newly diagnosed mild carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists. 2. Both past and present Injuries were sustained while with same employer New Injury: 1. Employee informed supervisor of swollen wrist while on new machine, he gave him wrapping gauze and sent him back to work. 2. 2 weeks later Employee went to emergency after a failed attempt to talk to the General Manager for swollen wrist and stress due to industrial injury as a result of being denied treatment. 3.Employer started immediate "fraud investigation". 4. Employer informed employee of UPN doctor he had to go to; employee complied not knowing rights at the time. 5. Employee sent to drug test; Doctor suitable to treat injuries was not in on the date of referral, also employer did not list the "wrist" injury, only listed "stress" on referral slip. 6. Employee returned to employer for correct referral slip and returned to UPN doctor who did no referral for psychiatric treatment and sent employee to get old medical records in part with return to work slip. 7. Employer had employee fill out wc form 1 almost a month after injury; he complied 8. Employer informed employee of need to separate claims; and verbal statement of denial saying "stress" is self inflicted due to detachment from machine. 9. Employee placed on Short Term Disability; pressured by employer to fill out FMLA forms and refused as it is industrial injury not FMLA related. 10. Employee obtained an Attorney 11. Employee complied with all doctor referrals from attorney 12. Employee wanted to get surgery and go back to work. ATTORNEY DISASTER/PRIORITY CONFERENCE 1. Employee sent formal request to attorney inclusive of questions as to why no expedite hearing had been requested in part with need for surgery, why he had been sent to a QME instead of a AME as informed in a letter, and why his deposition is scheduled after Priority Conference Date. 2. Attorney Request to Withdraw immediately 3. Attorney wont give original file 4. Attorney sent copy of file of 400+ papers mixed up that 5. Employee can't access WC WCAB file even after getting authorization from Sacramento; they claim 14 days for file to documents to be sent. 6. Copies of WC form sent in file copy from attorney state new claim for injury was submitted due to "harassment" without employees knowledge. No trace of original claim form (he does have a copy of the first one he actually filled out) 7. Attorney is still on record despite his claim to be relieved due to his request to Withdraw. 8. Employee just found out no medical records were entered on his behalf and priority conference is this next week. **Employee can't seem to be able to confirm insurance carrier of Employer. Nothing makes sense and Employee is breaking down. Is there any hope? Thank you kindly, any helpful suggestions are appreciated. Please consider the over whelming impact of such circumstance. How does he find an Attorney he can trust at this point? Aside from Cal State Bar...what can I help him do that is immediate? His lawyer quit after asked him why it was taking so long to get an authorization for surgery... he wants to go back to work. Must work for an insurance company lol. I guess you didn't read the part where I said they might not have insurance. Now confirmed. Thanks for your advice though, nice try.

I am mother to 2 children, ages 5 and 7. I work full time for the same company for 23+ years, but have been on disability for a few months. I still provide the health insurance for myself and the children. I don't smoke, drink alcohol or do drugs. Their biological father is self-employed as a handyman, and even though I have a Court Order for him to pay child support, he can not be garnished in a traditional way and does not pay. I turned my child support collection over to the Dept. of Child Support Services, run by the state. Trying to get them to enforce anything has been, let's say, "interesting". The attorney I used for the child support order says he can file Contempt of Court charges against the dad for each month he hasn't paid and was able to, but it'll cost me a chunka change. The attorney says we can ask the court to have the father responsible for my attorney's costs, which they likely would grant, but I have to pay the attorney and IF he ends up getting the payment from the father, I would get reimbursed. So, I'm going to make a sign "NEED MONEY FOR ATTORNEY TO PROSECUTE DEAD-BEAT DAD" and stand at a busy intersection... What would you think if you saw me standing there? Would you help? . "Dad" owes in excess of $25,000.00 since the Court Order in 2007.

My dad has a foot infection down to the bone. He may lose it. I'm wondering about his ability to collect disability. He will be 60 in October, has been self-employed his whole life. He's a logger and will not be able to continue to work as a logger. What is the legal procedure for him to collect disability? On top of this, he is diabetic, has high blood pressure, cataracts, and kidney problems. He needs to retire...but can he? How does disability work? What about social security? He lives in the state of Oregon if that helps. Also, he has no medical insurance, so advice on how to help with his medical bills would be great too. And I'm young, have no money, so I can't support him.

The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization says he is "deeply disappointed and concerned" after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries. The Obama administration recently revealed a plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in such cases. "It became apparent during our discussion today that the President intends to move forward with this unreasonable plan," said Commander David K. Rehbein of The American Legion. "He says he is looking to generate $540-million by this method, but refused to hear arguments about the moral and government-avowed obligations that would be compromised by it." The Commander, clearly angered as he emerged from the session said, "This reimbursement plan would be inconsistent with the mandate ' to care for him who shall have borne the battle' given that the United States government sent members of the armed forces into harm's way, and not private insurance companies. I say again that The American Legion does not and will not support any plan that seeks to bill a veteran for treatment of a service connected disability at the very agency that was created to treat the unique need of America's veterans!" Commander Rehbein was among a group of senior officials from veterans service organizations joining the President, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki and Steven Kosiak, the overseer of defense spending at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The group's early afternoon conversation at The White House was precipitated by a letter of protest presented to the President earlier this month. The letter, co-signed by Commander Rehbein and the heads of ten colleague organizations, read, in part, " There is simply no logical explanation for billing a veteran's personal insurance for care that the VA has a responsibility to provide. While we understand the fiscal difficulties this country faces right now, placing the burden of those fiscal problems on the men and women who have already sacrificed a great deal for this country is unconscionable." Commander Rehbein reiterated points made last week in testimony to both House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees. It was stated then that The American Legion believes that the reimbursement plan would be inconsistent with the mandate that VA treat service-connected injuries and disabilities given that the United States government sends members of the armed forces into harm's way, and not private insurance companies. The proposed requirement for these companies to reimburse the VA would not only be unfair, says the Legion, but would have an adverse impact on service-connected disabled veterans and their families. The Legion argues that, depending on the severity of the medical conditions involved, maximum insurance coverage limits could be reached through treatment of the veteran's condition alone. That would leave the rest of the family without health care benefits. The Legion also points out that many health insurance companies require deductibles to be paid before any benefits are covered. Additionally, the Legion is concerned that private insurance premiums would be elevated to cover service-connected disabled veterans and their families, especially if the veterans are self-employed or employed in small businesses unable to negotiate more favorable across-the-board insurance policy pricing. The American Legion also believes that some employers, especially small businesses, would be reluctant to hire veterans with service-connected disabilities due to the negative impact their employment might have on obtaining and financing company health care benefits. "I got the distinct impression that the only hope of this plan not being enacted," said Commander Rehbein, "is for an alternative plan to be developed that would generate the desired $540-million in revenue. The American Legion has long advocated for Medicare reimbursement to VA for the treatment of veterans. This, we believe, would more easily meet the President's financial goal. We will present that idea in an anticipated conference call with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel in the near future. "I only hope the administration will really listen to us then. This matter has far more serious ramifications than the President is imagining," concluded the Commander. http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20090316/pl_usnw/the_american_legion_strongly_opposed_to_president_s_plan_to_charge_wounded_heroes_for_treatment how does this make u feel

I can see that making sense if every single job offered health insurance, which many do not. But there would still be groups that would be unable to work due to age or disability. Then there are the self employed. Ideas please Thanks

A close relative of mine went on short-term disability leave back in September right before having early-stage breast cancer surgery and has been receiving short-term disability payments from her employer's insurance company ever since. Following surgery and subsequent radiation (she didn't need chemo), more and more "stuff" started appearing at her house that she'd been buying with the insurance money--new clothes, a new sofa, she's talking about getting a treadmill, etc.--and spending hours online looking up genealogy-related stuff, which is a big hobby of hers. She's also taken a number of trips to see relatives around the state and has gone with them on hobby-oriented excursions for several days at a time (some of the relatives are self-employed while others are retired) and apparently having a grand old time. Meanwhile she's had no medical treatments in nearly two months--she finished radiation in January--but she says she still doesn't feel well enough to go back to work, and oh yeah, she also mentioned out loud on at least one occasion that she's making more money from short-term disability than she does from her job. But she feels really lousy and can't go back to work because she's not ready, yadda yadda yadda, but you wouldn't know it from the way she's been acting and the way she's been spending money on things she doesn't need to live. I'm waiting to hear back from her insurance company on an anonymous call I placed to their fraud hotline, but it got me to wondering...I and many other relatives are seeing her do all of these things, but she's apparently still giving her doctor this line that she's not ready to go back to work, etc., and besides the fact that she's stealing from the system, it's really creating major tensions within the family. So what I'm asking is, once I give the insurance company the details of what I know and what I've observed, how can it be proven that she's milking the system and what can be done to stop her? In the back of my mind I'm thinking it could even get her arrested if this sort of fraud is deemed serious enough, but not having dealt with anything like this before, I'm not sure how this plays out. Anyone have any insight on the process in reporting insurance/disability fraud and how insurance investigators go about proving something like this? I realize people can't give legal advice on here, but I'm just trying to understand how the system works and anything else that might be a consideration. So tell me, Melissa, when did fraud become legal? I'd bring up the fact that it's unethical, too, but you wouldn't understand, obviously... SunAngel, I grew up in the same house as this person and see her several times a week, so I'm a very close relative... Maybe I should send her over to your place to rob you instead, Katherine. Just because she's not robbing me but robbing the system doesn't make it right. In fact, yeah, I'll send her over to your place to steal all your stuff because she's entitled to do so if she wants. Unless of course you believe she shouldn't, but it really doesn't matter what's right or wrong as long as it doesn't affect you, right?

A close relative of mine went on short-term disability leave back in September right before having early-stage breast cancer surgery and has been receiving short-term disability payments from her employer's insurance company ever since. Following surgery and subsequent radiation (she didn't need chemo), more and more "stuff" started appearing at her house that she'd been buying with the insurance money--new clothes, a new sofa, she's talking about getting a treadmill, etc.--and spending hours online looking up genealogy-related stuff, which is a big hobby of hers. She's also taken a number of trips to see relatives around the state and has gone with them on hobby-oriented excursions for several days at a time (some of the relatives are self-employed while others are retired) and apparently having a grand old time. Meanwhile she's had no medical treatments in nearly two months--she finished radiation in January--but she says she still doesn't feel well enough to go back to work, and oh yeah, she also mentioned out loud on at least one occasion that she's making more money from short-term disability than she does from her job. But she feels really lousy and can't go back to work because she's not ready, yadda yadda yadda, but you wouldn't know it from the way she's been acting and the way she's been spending money on things she doesn't need to live. I'm waiting to hear back from her insurance company on an anonymous call I placed to their fraud hotline, but it got me to wondering...I and many other relatives are seeing her do all of these things, but she's apparently still giving her doctor this line that she's not ready to go back to work, etc., and besides the fact that she's stealing from the system, it's really creating major tensions within the family. So what I'm asking is, once I give the insurance company the details of what I know and what I've observed, how can it be proven that she's milking the system and what can be done to stop her? In the back of my mind I'm thinking it could even get her arrested if this sort of fraud is deemed serious enough, but not having dealt with anything like this before, I'm not sure how this plays out. Anyone have any insight on the process in reporting insurance/disability fraud and how insurance investigators go about proving something like this? I realize people can't give legal advice on here, but I'm just trying to understand how the system works and anything else that might be a consideration.

for independent contractors and self employed? I'm a hairstylist and want to be covered...just in case.

People saying that only lazy people want heathcare reform amazes me. What makes you think that anyway? I work and have been working for 20 years AND I have had a disability for 22 years. I paid back every last cent of my student loans myself AND I make a decent salary. I am very fortunate to have healthcare coverage. Not everyone is so fortunate. But I have a pre-exisiting condition. If I lose my job and have to take a job that doesn't provide coverage, I will be denied private coverage. Private insurance companies don't like cancer survivors. They're too worried we'll get it again. I have been shot down before and I know it would happen again. What are hard-working people and self-employed people that get denied coverage supposed to do? Just die? And don't think you are immune to ever being in situation where you can't get coverage. It could happen. It's sad that many people will only realize the true need for reform after they need it too. Having a job does NOT guarantee that you have health coverage. While I do not need help with healthcare, I still care about others having it. No one should be denied. blackberryxyz: Did you read my post? I have been denied private insurance coverage. I know people who have as well. If you get a pre-existing condition you will find out. Sure, hospitals will take you for an emergency, but if you have no coverage and get diagnosed with cancer they won't keep treating you unless you have money. suspendmyaccount: Guess what? To get Medicaid you have to be poor. Working people that can't get coverage won't qualify for that. It's truly the working middle class that gets the raw deal in those situations.

if i'm self-employed, can i still apply for disability benefits? I'm pregnant and looking to collect benefits when the baby is born in spring.

He doesn't make much a year, probably around $3000 that he reports and he doesn't have any insurance. He has been needing to have surgery for the past few years, but he can't afford to miss going to work(self employed) or to pay for the acutal surgery. Can he get on disability to help with this or are there any other options? He lives in Louisiana if that helps any

My Dad was informed not long ago that he has throat cancer. He cannot work until December 2008 because he will be going through radiation treatment and what not. He has been self employed since the middle of 2006. He owns his own Water Truck and started his own business is construction with the truck. When things would get slow with water trucking(winter time is when mostly all construction type jobs slow down) he would drive truck through a company, and have a boss, get a paycheck from someone else...he wasn't his own boss. But that was a very small portion of each year...most of all his income was from his own business. What I want to find out is if there is a way that he can collect dissability insurance based on what he made through his own company? He pays taxes at the end of each year, and has health insurance, recieved a letter saying he cannot work until December 2008, etc. Can he recieve disability Insurance from the EDD? Anything is helpful, thank you!

I have an in home preschool and we have health insurance through my husband. However I will be having a c-section with this baby meaning I will have time off without pay. Do you think I can get short term disability through my state?

Disability insurance is very expensive if your a self-employed business owner. For my craft, lawn service, disability insurance will cover me until I'm 62 years old if I am willing to pay almost $2,000 a month for this policy. If I want to set up my own account, how much money will I have to have in my account today if I want to live off the interest and beat inflation until I'm at least 62 years old or older if I was to ever become disable? I am 37 years old and my gross income is $70,000 per year.

In my situation: I'm 16 and covered under my mother's insurance through the state because she has a disability- I'm moving in with my self-employed father who's covered by his wife's insurance (which is through her job). When custody get's switched over, I'm no longer covered by my mother, and my dad doesn't have his own plan. Since no one can afford 700 dollar bills every time I get a sore throat or tooth ache, what the hell should I do? Advice PLEASE.

How can I preserve my income with inflation if I am injured on the job using disability, 401k, social security, etc. and cover health insurance and expenses if I am a self employed business owner who is innvolved in lawn work?

Self-employed, looking for one or the other. Need company's that would carry this insurance.

My nephew has been diagnosed with a bleeding disorder. My brother and his wife are both self employed but earn too much for Medicaid and government run disability programs. They always bought their own insurance. But after his son's condition the insurance gave them an estimate of $2300 a month in order to buy a plan for their kid. This is because his medications are extremely expensive. My brother said it costs about $160K a year. My brother doesn't know what he should do. He needs his wife at his office so her getting another job is not really an option because they couldn't afford to pay someone for that kind of job. My brother is devastated because if he is supposed pay that much for insurance he might as well go on wellfare. I find it ridiculous that two hard working people like this can't afford to buy insurance for their sick kid in this country. Does anyone know what they should do? Oh and they've been shopping around and that's the lowest rate they got.

My nephew has been diagnosed with a bleeding disorder. My brother and his wife are both self employed but earn too much for Medicaid and government run disability programs. They always bought their own insurance. But after his son's condition the insurance gave them an estimate of $2300 a month in order to buy a plan for their kid. This is because his medications are extremely expensive. My brother said it costs about $160K a year. My brother doesn't know what he should do. He needs his wife at his office so her getting another job is not really an option because they couldn't afford to pay someone for that kind of job. My brother is devastated because if he is supposed pay that much for insurance he might as well go on wellfare. I find it ridiculous that two hard working people like this can't afford to buy insurance for their sick kid in this country. Does anyone know what they should do? They've been shopping around and that's the lowest rate they got on insurance.

If someone is a not able to qualify for STD or LTD insurance. Are there any other options?. My friend has MS. She was just diagnosed. What can she do? Is there any options or insurance for her to purchase? She is self-employed. So, it's not like she's got group coverage. She doesn't want to have to loose everything to get on Medicaid to deal with her health issues.

I am due in April and would like to know if anyone has taken out any supplemental disability insurance to help with living expenses while on maternity leave. My boyfriend and I have agreed for me to take off the whole summer and possibly the first year. This is his first child and doesn't want our baby going directly into daycare. My boyfriend is self employed and tells me not to worry but I was wondering if pregnancy would be considered a pre-existing condition and would not be covered under an Aflac type plan. The company I work for does not offer any supplemental disability insurance so that's not an option for me. Also, if there is any supplemental health insurance since my current health insurance only cover 70% of the delivery. Thanks! FYI - I just got off the phone with an Aflac rep. and it will not cover my pregnancy because it IS a pre-existing condition. So, women, go out and get supplemental insurance BEFORE you become pregnant. You'll get a lot of $$ for being off work.

My husband is a floor and countertop tiler working and being paid with a 1099 which makes him considered self employed. Does anyone know of an insurance company that offers short term disaility insurance that he can purchase as an individual. Most insurance companies only offer it to a group and is paid through the employer. Please help!

I have no clue how the insurance industry works, so I feel like I'm in a bad position to bargain shop. I tend not to trust slick advertising. Do I need to read a book? Are there trust-worthy, friendly, smart professionals who can meet and talk with you about this? What are they even called??

A Missouri Voca Rehab worker tells me that if a person on SS Disability becomes self-employed, the individual would no longer be "disabled" if he or she worked more than 40 Hours Per Month. While I believe I can be productive 80 to 100 hours per month, I see no way I could ever afford insurance after Medicare. There must be more to know than this. Advise from specialists is what I need... like a disability lawyer or an SS expert... from Allsup in Belleville, IL for example.

$600. She just got back on disability so she's ok now. BUT this idiot of a therapist told her that if she can't afford them that she should go to eastern meds.....ya know, herbs, blah, blah, blah........and now she says she doesn't feel well.......Well DUH! They aren't regulated by the FDA....that's why they aren't OTC. But she just doesn't *GET It." Her hubby made too much money (self employed and makes the buchs ya know?) than to be approved for free or low cost meds. It's bitch bitch bitch with her......she's never happy about anything and she is a full blown hyophondriac. No lie..............It's really sickening.Any words of advice would be of big help........I've known her for around 14 years and she is not about to change now but how about something for ME to cope with HER? That would be a big help. I'd appreciate any help. No sarcasm please!!!! Thanks much. Her husband is self employed and doesn't have insurance. Also, SHE can't have medicare (which doesn't cover meds unless she's on SSI to for 2 yrs. That will get her MEDICAL paid for but no rx's thanks to George Bush and the National Health Plan.....the basta*d! I am on disability myself so I know a LITTLE about what is going on....but it's so complicated, I just sit and wait for my reviews........of which I'm up for right now as well.