Cobra
If you become too ill to work any longer you are still entitled to continue your employers health insurance for up to one year by paying your own premiums. This is referred to as a Cobra policy. You may be able to continue it past one year but from what I've seen the cost rises substantiately. Social Security
If you can no longer work because of illness you can apply for SSI (Social Security Income) or SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). You can find out more about it at: http://www.ssa.gov/disability » Applying for SSDI can be a very complicated and arduous task. A large percentage of claims are denied the first time thru. DO NOT RE-FILE! Appeal, Appeal, Appeal! It is recommended that you retain an attorney specializing in Social Security Disability Claims. The attorney only charges you if you win. He will get approximately 25% of your back payments for his fee. It took me 15 months before I received my first SSDI payment. Help for the Uninsured
State-sponsored high risk pool insurance is aimed at a small slice of those Americans who can afford to buy health insurance but are denied affordable health insurance coverage by private companies because of a pre-existing medical conditions. Learn more about The Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool at http://www.txhealthpool.org » or call 1-888-398-3927. Medicare
If you are declared disabled because of your medical condition you will be able to receive Medicare basically 30 months after you first applied for Social Security Disability Insurance no matter how long it takes for you to win your case.
Note: Part B Medicare will not pay for your post-transplant medicine if they did not pay for your transplant!
If a patient has kidney failure (ESRD - end-stage renal disease) their Medicare can begin right when they start dialysis/have a transplant, whichever happens first. Part A helps pays for inpatient hospital services, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care and some home health care. Part B helps pay for doctor's services, outpatient hospital care, some ambulance services, physical and occupational therapy, medical equipment, and some health care. To enroll, the monthly premium for 2008 is $96.40. Medigap (Supplemental Insurance Policies)
A Medigap policy is health insurance sold by private insurance companies to fill "gaps" in the Original Medicare Plan coverage. If you are on Medicare and have a Medigap policy they will both pay their share of covered health care costs. Learn more about it by going to: http://www.medicare.gov/medigap/default.asp » Medicare Part D
The Medicare Part D program provides beneficiaries with assistance paying for prescription drugs. It is provided for an extra fee by private insurance companies along a standard drug benefit guideline.
Learn more about it at: Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder » Options If You Just Can't Pay
If you are having problems paying for your medical care or medicine there may be other alternatives. Some drug companies supply free drugs to those who can't pay for them. There are several organizations that specialize in helping in this area. Talk to your social worker. | 
