Hi Tiffini,
I remember you. Can you COBRA your insurance since you've only been laid off a month? Really, you will need good insurance if it is cancer. The bill for my radiation alone was well over $200,000.00. MRI's are around $1,500.00 each, doctors visits (specialists) around $120.00 (for a 15 minute visit), and then there was the meds and all of the other tests. As Jeff said, since you don't technically have a "pre-existing" condition, since you have not been Dx'd, you can enroll in an HMO with a small deductible (that's what I did). You don't say where you're from. Kaiser Permanente is what I have and they have been incredibly good and thorough with my treatment. They paid 100% for IMRT at UCSF (the 7th highest ranked comprehensive cancer center in the US). At your age, Kaiser would charge you around $260.00/mo. for a $5.00 deductible plan (doctors visits and prescriptions -their best premium plan).

There are sources for money to help pay - from SSDI to asking your church benevolence fund team for help. Some insurance plans will give you financial aid through the HMO itself (you have to be signed up already).

You've got to fight for this - you do not want to rely on the public health care safety net for this kind of problem (IF that's what it is).

Like you I went into this with no health insurance. I found a loophole (self employed, setting up a small group plan (my wife and I), they CAN'T ASK about any pre-existing conditions and will admit you to the plan the same as if you went to work for Hewlett Packard or General Motors. And unlike personal plans, the coverage start date was IMMEDIATE! I actually made anonymous calls and tested this because I just didn't believe it -but it was true. They didn't even send us a bill for 2 months - by that time I had already started chemo and IMRT ($5,000.00 a treatment)-unbelievable! I did feel a little guilty but it was completely in line with their advertised policies. We had to submit proof of self employment (business license, etc.) and that was it. You may have to COBRA since they usually have waiting periods for private plans or become a consultant, get a business license and get your own small group plan.