[WSBAPT] Off Topic: Rescinding Retirement letter to keep Health Insurance

[Jane Bitz]

Thanks, Diane. That was my first reaction when I heard the question. I suspect many employers would react the way that you are thinking, especially with such a terrible diagnosis.

I will be speaking with her husband tomorrow to ask what their plans were to keep health insurance in place after she retired, knowing that she was three years away from Medicare coverage. I don't know that their planning should necessarily change based on the decision they made before she was diagnosed. I also know that there is a great deal of support for cancer patients who need care and are not able to pay.

Jane.

Jane G. Bitz
Of Counsel
Wolff, Hislop & Crockett, PLLC
12209 E. Mission Ave, Suite 5
Spokane Valley, WA 99206-4824
(509) 927-9700 x126
FAX: (509) 777-1800


From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Diane J. Kiepe
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2023 1:16 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Off Topic: Rescinding Retirement letter to keep Health Insurance

Jane,

This is really a gut reaction, but my inclination would be to send a withdraw of retirement and ask for confirmation that it is being accepted.  If I am an employer for a long-term employee, I'd want to allow that person to stay on as an employee for insurance reasons but I could also see them being concerned.  I don't think legally the employer has to allow a withdraw  - I'm would feel nearly certain that there is no protection for post-notice illnesses.

I wish her all the best.

Diane J. Kiepe
Douglas Eden, P.S.
717 W. Sprague Ave., Suite 1500
Spokane, WA  99201
djkiepe at depdslaw.com<mailto:djkiepe at depdslaw.com>
509-455-5300
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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>> On Behalf Of Jane Bitz
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2023 12:08 PM
To: 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv' <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Off Topic: Rescinding Retirement letter to keep Health Insurance

Hi All:

This question is off topic, but please chime in if you know or can recommend someone to call who may have the answer:

My client is 62 years old and had planned to fully retire by December 31, 2023. She wrote a letter to her employer with this information. In late October, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of blood cancer: intervascular lymphoma. She is now in the hospital and starts chemotherapy tomorrow. She is now receiving Family Medical Leave benefits. The question is whether or not she should "rescind" her retirement decision in order to remain covered by her employer's health insurance. The HR people at work are saying that they don't know how to advise her.

Any help with this question would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jane.

Jane G. Bitz
Of Counsel
Wolff, Hislop & Crockett, PLLC
12209 E. Mission Ave, Suite 5
Spokane Valley, WA 99206-4824
(509) 927-9700 x126
FAX: (509) 777-1800


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