My wife has just been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for the second time. She had been in remission for almost five years. It appears that this is going to be an ongoing problem. Our insurance is just about to end through our employer. What can we do to keep her in chemo? Would she qualify for SSI, or are there other places we could get help? We are very worried over this.

Patrick

Depending on the circumstances under which your employer-provided insurance is about to end, you may have options for new insurance on a guaranteed-issue basis. First, if you are losing coverage because you are leaving your employer for some reason, you may have continuation or conversion options. Most employers are required to allow you to continue your group insurance for at least 18 months, and you are required to pay the premium. This is known as COBRA continuation coverage. Ask your employer if you qualify for continuation coverage, and complete the necessary paperwork in order to keep your insurance. This will give you the coverage you need to continue your wife's chemotherapy.

If you are eligible for COBRA continuation coverage, and you want to protect your continued insurability, you must choose this option. After the required continuation coverage period ends, you may need to apply for insurance in the non-group (individual) market. If you failed to exercise an available COBRA option, you will be subject to underwriting, and you may be rejected for your health status.

If you are not eligible for continuation coverage, you should find out whether you could purchase a conversion plan. That is, some states require insurers to issue you a non-group insurance policy as a conversion from the group policy. This allows you to maintain continuous coverage with the same insurer and roughly the same benefits.

Third, if you are not eligible for either continuation or conversion coverage, you may be eligible for a guaranteed-issue non-group plan. If you have had 18 months of continuous coverage, there may be a program in your state that allows you to purchase insurance regardless of your health. Call your state's insurance department and find out what the options are for you.

Public programs, such as SSI or Medicaid, are available to those who meet certain low-income or disability standards. You can call your state or county health department to inquire about Medicaid; call the Social Security office to learn more about SSI. In the process, you may learn about other public programs available to you.

It is important that you follow every possible avenue in order to remain insured. One or more of these suggestions should help you reach this goal.