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Q: If I have a pre-existing illness (thyroid cancer), and my COBRA will end in 8 months, is there any way I can elect to stay w/ COBRA and pay the high premium, because individual plans will not take me until I'm clear for 10 years.

A:  COBRA law has specific requirements about the extension due to a disability.  The Social Security Administration must deem you disabled before or during the first 60 days of COBRA continuation.  The disability must continue during the rest of the initial 18 months.  The previous employer’s plan can set the time limit that you have to provide the “notice of disability” However; this time limit can not be less than 60 days and it must start from the date the Social Security Administration determined the disability or the date when the qualifying event or the date from when you received the COBRA notice which ever is later.  These requirements need to be met prior to the end of the initial 18 months.  

 You may want to contact your state's department of insurance at www.naic.org. to see if they have a Mini-COBRA available.  If your state has a mini-COBRA you may be able to continue the coverage through them.  Also, most state’s have a health plan for their residents when they can not obtain health insurance due to pre-existing conditions and their COBRA continuation has been exhausted.