i have been off work for 3 weeks, off for 3 more at least due to a TAHBSO. I am now undergoing chemo.
i turned in all my doctors notes (copies) and letters saying i need at least 6 weeks off. well, today they called to tell me that my insurance will be cancelled end of the month, after telling me yesterday that they would double up the deductions in march when i came back. i don't qualify for FMLA again since i didn't work enough hours last year.
i'm really bummed. the admin tells me one thing yesterday, and the DON changes the decision today. i've worked there for 6 years, but i guess they can't help pushing someone down to PRN status and yanking away their insurance. now i have to worry about how i will pay for all my medications and my chemo and doctors appointments. i have no one to support me.
why couldn't they just wait a couple more weeks? why did they lie to me?? i just hate this. i know we're an at will state, but i'm still upset. the kicker is, that once i go back, they won't let me sign on for half-time or full-time status, which would qualify me for insurance. instead, i have to be contingent, but work half time hours, and after 6 months, they'd "maybe" offer me insurance. what?? that makes no sense, but i don't have any energy to worry about this. i've been shaking ever since i got this phone call today. and of course my DON had to throw in her, "i need your medical records to see what they did." um, four pages of paperwork from the hospital, plus two docs certification letters are not enough saying i need time off??
I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I agree with the other posters:
1. See a lawyer. Terminating you because of your illness could put you under discrimination and or ADA status.
2. Call your local news and get a story done. A little pressure never hurts.
Hope you are soon well and have this trouble behind you.
PS Your DON sounds like a case of terminal stupidity and evil combined. Surely she knows she CANNOT have your medical records. It's a shame some people are so low down and rotten.
You and the others described here are victims of unlawful termination, because employers look at getting rid of a sick employee as an easy and convenient way to reduce their risk in the eyes of their insurance carriers. I know, because I used to work for an HMO. The less money they have to pay out for their group, the lower the risk. It is damn devious and needs to be stopped. You and your attorney can be instrumental in ensuring that your former employer never does this to someone else....again.
Specializes in rehab; med/surg; l&d; peds/home care.
well, i do have some financial help pouring in to pay my COBRA. that in itself is a miracle.
my bills are very small, and i would only have to freelance a few shifts a month once i am cleared to go back to work.
in the meantime, i will file for food stamps and the state health insurance for the kids on monday
i also got the name of a lawyer, not sure his specialty, but i know he does a lot of work for disabled clients. he won some of my extended families cases.
i will call him monday.
i did not expect this current health crisis to hit. it came at me full speed a few months ago. i was working my ordered few days a month just to get insurance. i mainly did supervisory work, or helped the floor nurses with admissions.
yes, my employer is a small one. about 150 employees. and they only paid about 10% of MY insurance, and i covered the rest of the premiums for my family. my premiums were about 300 every two weeks for health insurance, and 50 every 2 weeks for vision/dental. i was planning on leaving this place anyway after i passed my boards.
and yes, i already wrote my state and federal legislators, as did my Mom. I cringe to see what my COBRA payments will be.
I'll fight, don't you worry. and yes, this DON is evil. when she told me she needed my medical records, i not so nicely told her she wouldn't be getting them and why. i think she just thinks i am stupid or something. she already had hospital papers, discharge papers, and two doctors certifications that i needed X amount of time off work.
thanks to everyone for your support and advice. wow, i never expected so many replies. :heartbeat thank you...it means a lot.
wish we had some supportive nurses in this area. it's tough out here.
yes, my employer is a small one. about 150 employees. and they only paid about 10% of MY insurance, and i covered the rest of the premiums for my family. my premiums were about 300 every two weeks for health insurance, and 50 every 2 weeks for vision/dental. i was planning on leaving this place anyway after i passed my boards.
and yes, i already wrote my state and federal legislators, as did my Mom. I cringe to see what my COBRA payments will be.
I'll fight, don't you worry. and yes, this DON is evil. when she told me she needed my medical records, i not so nicely told her she wouldn't be getting them and why. i think she just thinks i am stupid or something. she already had hospital papers, discharge papers, and two doctors certifications that i needed X amount of time off work.
Being a small employer, their insurance benefits are probably self-funded, which makes your case against them an even stronger one.
And as for your former DON, she is in serious violation of HIPPA for even asking for your medical records. Whoever is the third-party administrator for your benefit plans and your HR person should have access to these documents...providing they have signed the proper release forms. I would not give her the time of day!
Do see a lawyer, this sounds like harrassment to me. Life happens to us all, and you certainly have had your share of problems for awhile. I would contact the physicians and let them know that NO information, NONE is to be discussed with this DON. I would contact the Amer. Cancer Society, United Fund, and try to get information on the new reduced or free med program that Montel is spokesperson for. I do think your kids and you could qualify for assistance from the state too. Good luck, I hope your health issues improve soon. Keep us posted.
Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
This may or may not be a case of unlawful termination. FMLA only covers so much time per year. I know it's not open ended. In either case, you need to hire a labor law attorney to look into this more closely. In the meantime, I wouldn't wait on anything coming in right away. Maybe you can pick up enough casual employment to pay your immediate expenses and COBRA payments and give you enough time off to get your treatments while your lawyer looks into your situation in depth.
This seems so cruel. I do hope this problem finds a solution and soon.
I work in Mi too. My daughter has uncontrolled Asthma and I received a call at work one day that she was sick. I told my manager I had to lease ASAP. I was questioned by her for what seemed like forever and reported off and left. She called the next day to make sure I brought in a doctors slip- where else would I have went? She tried to have me suspended- I got FMLA and she couldn't touch me. I later quit and have a much more understanding manager.
Here's something I don't get: What's the point of HAVING insurance if you can be dropped the minute you need it? Isn't insurance supposed to INSURE you in case anything bad does happen?
Yep. "One call, that's all", as a local lawyer here advertises on T.V.
America....home of the brave...and the uninsured.
This makes me sick. I hope you get the justice which you are due. Keep us posted.
As a former paralegal I not advise calling some lawyer who advertises on tv "one call, that's all" or anything else. I would call your local (county)
Bar Association and ask for recommendations as to a local attorney who handles that type of case.
I know this is off topic but I can't stand those lawyers that keep advertising to sue, sue, sue over everything imaginable, antidepressants, Vioxx, was your child born with CP? it may have been your doctor's fault. It drives me nuts.
Anyway, I'm sorry to hear you're dealing with all this, you're really getting the shaft here. I'll be sure to say a prayrer for you.
KaroSnowQueen, RN
960 Posts
I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I agree with the other posters:
1. See a lawyer. Terminating you because of your illness could put you under discrimination and or ADA status.
2. Call your local news and get a story done. A little pressure never hurts.
Hope you are soon well and have this trouble behind you.
PS Your DON sounds like a case of terminal stupidity and evil combined. Surely she knows she CANNOT have your medical records. It's a shame some people are so low down and rotten.