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Q:  Recently, my husband was laid off on March 2, 2009. First, not knowing about the stimulus package, I contacted my husband's ex-employer to get cobra paperwork. After putting up with horribly rude and hateful behavior I got the papers filed. Then I find out about the stimulus package. Again, I call the ex-employer for a stimulus application because that is what everyone at blue cross and blue shied is telling me I must have. I go to get the papers still putting up with drastic hateful conversations. The papers that he left for me to pick up at the security gate were the same papers that I had already filed. When I called him to discuss the stimulus papers he began yelling and screaming at me that: HE DID NOT WANT TO TALK WITH ME AGAIN. THE PAPERS THAT HE HAD GIVEN ME WERE ALL THE PAPERS THAT HE HAD. I tried to explain that BCBS says I have to have a stimulus application. The papers that he had given me were the same papers that I had already filled out. I couldn't get finished with what I was saying before he started yelling again. I also said that these papers had nothing on them about the company paying 65% and we were to pay 35% of the cost. HE BLEW UP AGAIN SAYING THAT HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THAT AND HE WOULD NOT PAY FOR ANY OF OUR INSURANCE. HE TOLD ME AGAIN THAT HE NO LONGER WANTED TO SPEAK TO ME. I WAS NOT EMPLOYED WITH THEM AND HE WOULD ONLY TALK WITH MY HUSBAND. HE REPEATED THAT HE DID NOT EVER WANT TO TALK TO ME AGAIN. THEN ASKED IF HE HAD MADE HIMSELF CLEAR. DID I UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS SAYING? I simply replied that the feeling was mutual and hung up the phone. Since this time my husband has talked with him several times and he says that the application is being processed. But BCBS has nothing from the ex-employer. I simply want some answers. Is there a special application? I have yet to receive stimulus information from the ex-employer. Weren't we supposed to be notified? And if nothing is being done for me what recourse do we have? I have health problems and need the insurance but it is rather hard to make the high payments when you’re unemployed. Thank You for taking the time to answer my questions and read my concerns any reply will be appreciated.

A:  To apply for the reduction in your premium, that is done through your husbands’ previous employer.  Unfortunately, we are not affiliated with Cobra.  We are a private company that offers Alternative plans.  To be eligible for the stimulus there is a second enrollment if you are already on Cobra and can be eligible for the reduction.  To receive that information the employer should supply you with that.  If you feel that your rights have not been met and that you should be eligible and you are not receiving the right paperwork to apply you can contact the Department of Labor at 866-444-3272.  For your husbands Cobra to be subject to the deductible, he would have to have been involuntarily terminated, and not be eligible for Medicare or your group health plan from your employer if you have one.