Colorectal Cancer: Recurrence

For additional information about the following subjects, see the documents in “To Learn More.”

HEALTH INSURANCE

If you do not have health insurance: Do whatever you can to get it.

• Despite your health history, there are a variety of ways to get health insurance. The easiest is through a group plan offered by an employer or membership organization. The larger the employer, the more likely it will have an employee health plan.
• You cannot be asked about your health history by a prospective employer.
• Before applying for a new job, do what employers do before setting an interview appointment: Search your name through several search engines such as Google (link to www.Google.com) and Bing (link to www.Bing.com). If there are mentions of your health condition, such as on a social network site or a disease-nonprofit site, either remove the information or change your name to a fictitious name or ask the site to block search engines.
• Each employer and/or each plan may have different rules regarding eligibility of dependents for coverage. Most include children and the spouse of the employee; some may include domestic partners as well. As you will learn in our information about Seeking Work (link to T89), do not ask about details of benefits until you are offered the job.
• Once you get health insurance, learn how to maximize use of it.  How to do that differs depending on the type of policy you obtain. Survivorship A to Z provides information in the documents listed in “To Learn More” about maximizing use of a health insurance plan according to the type of policy. If you do not know what type you have, see Types of Health Insurance Policies and How To Know Which Type You Have 

If you have health insurance:

• Do whatever you need to do to keep health insurance. It is likely one of your most valuable assets.
• Learn how to maximize use of your policy. How to do that differs depending on the type of policy you have. Survivorship A to Z provides information in the documents listed in “To Learn More” about maximizing use of a health insurance plan according to the type of policy. If you do not know what type you have, see Types of Health Insurance Policies and How To Know Which Type You Have
•  If you and/or your spouse leave a job through which you have your group health insurance, you may be eligible to continue the coverage at your own expense under the provisions of the law known as COBRA.
• If there were medical expenses that your insurance company refused to pay for that you think should be covered – keep pressing the company. Appeal. Be persistent. (The documents in “To Learn More” show you how.)

LIFE INSURANCE

If you have life insurance:

• You may be able to get money from it while still alive if you have a shortened life expectancy either from the life insurance company (a "Living Benefit") or through a transaction known as a Viatical Settlement or a Life Settlement. 
• Check to see if you can increase the amount of the death benefit. Many policies have a feature guaranteeing the right to increase the death benefit. If the policy is through work, you may have the right once a year.

You can still buy life insurance, for example through open enrollment periods at work or by accepting the guaranteed issue offers you receive in the mail. It is recommended that you purchase as much life insurance as you can.  In addition to traditional reasons, such as for your children, as just noted, a policy can be a source of money while you’re still alive. (See: Life Insurance: How To Buy Despite A Health History   

OTHER INSURANCE

Insurance protects against losses that the average person cannot bear alone. It is important for everyone to have basic insurance. The need is even greater living with advanced cancer because it is likely harder to recoup in the event of a large loss.

Do your best to carry basic insurance such as Homeowners Insurance (either the variety for an owner or for a renter). If you own a vehicle, carry at least Automobile Insurance in the amount required by your state. We provide impartial information about these coverages, including steps to take in the event of a loss. See To Learn More.

While Disability Income insurance which provides an income if you become unable to work and Long Term Care Insurance would be helpful, you are not likely to be able to purchase either of them on your own. You may be able to obtain such coverage from an employer such as the government. (You may also be able to qualify in time.) 

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