Getting Personal

Friday, March 13, 2009

Tess Vigeland and economics editor Chris Farrell give advice to listeners about COBRA medical insurance, available tax payment plans and whether you should act fast and buy a home while the price is low.

Getting Personal (Marketplace)

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By Ted Stevens

From OK, 03/16/2009

You said on the audio clip that recent grads are eligible for the stimulus subsidy, however I am being told by my employer that this isn't so. Could you please give us your response?

By William Morico

From New Haven, CT, 03/15/2009

The COBRA stimulus subsidy is only available to workers and their families who lose medical coverage due to involuntary termination of employment. It does not apply to children who "age off" an employer plan. see this link:
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/fsCOBRApremiumreduction.pdf

By stephanie chase

From Los Angeles, CT, 03/15/2009

A question related to Cobra. My 26 yr. old son is graduating college in May. Because at 25 he "aged off" my group ins. (I'm a retired teacher), for the last year I've paid for coverage through his school's health ins. plan. What are my options or his options if he cannot find a job and/or has no health care coverage? His school coverage will end in Aug.

By Kent Drummond

From Divide, CO, 03/15/2009

This question relates to Cobra coverage. My son may soon be unemployed. The company has dropped from 198 employees to just 22, so not looking too good. They do R&D for the auto industry! My son pays for his part of a Health Insurance Savings account. If he looses his job, would he still qualify to receive Gov't assistance with the premiums while he tries to get another job? The fear here is the company may be bankrupt so there would be no co-pay to back him up either. YIKES! thanks..........

By Kerry Malloy

From Lincoln, VT, 03/14/2009

I have questions about the cobra coverage discussed in your broadcast today. Is the stimulus money to pay 65% of cobra costs only for people who have been laid off? My husband started his own business and voluntarily left his job. His business is doing well but the cost of cobra and all other insurance options (through chamber of commerce etc.) are way too expensive so we are uninsred currently (family of four). We are still able to sign up for the cobra, would we qualify for the 65% assistance? Is there a time limit for how long you can get the assistance? Had not heard about this coverage any where else in the news so far. Why?
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