Questions on COBRA insurance (1 Viewer)

[Polish Hammer]

I left my last employer on June 19, and started with my new company on June 22nd. My new employer makes you wait 30 days before you can get their health benefits, so I am not eligible until July 22. With my old company, you had benefits through the last day of the month you worked, so I am good through the end of tomorrow.

The covered people were me, my wife, and my two kids. My older son has state Medicaid coverage so I am good to go there. However, I learned that you can't sign up for COBRA for a bit of time until after you leave the company. I had assumed that I'd get info and be ready to sign up before my coverage expired, but that's not how it works.

Apparently, until I get the papers and elect for coverage I don't have anything. If any of the 3 uncovered members of the family have a medical need, we have to pay cash out of pocket and then afterward accept the COBRA coverage and submit paperwork to get paid back. The idea of working with an insurance company and hoping I get reimbursed correctly has me a little less than hopeful.

Are there any alternatives out there for me that can keep my family covered for 21 days?

Is this something Obamacare would cover?

Yes, I realize that the odds are in my favor that we can stay healthy for three weeks, but I am conservative by nature and don't like the idea of my kid breaking his arm and me getting some absurd $8000 hospital bill I have to hope I can get reimbursed on. Any and all help is appreciated.

 

[fourd]

That's pretty much the way it works. If you are REALLY concerned get your self a short term plan which can be issued the next day provided you don't have any major health issues. I would not worry about dealing with the insurer as COBRA is a federal law and it acts as if your current coverage never ended. You will also save the premium by waiting to see if you need it since your new coverage starts so quickly.

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

That's pretty much the way it works. If you are REALLY concerned get your self a short term plan which can be issued the next day provided you don't have any major health issues. I would not worry about dealing with the insurer as COBRA is a federal law and it acts as if your current coverage never ended. You will also save the premium by waiting to see if you need it since your new coverage starts so quickly.

Pretty sure he will pretty much need to pay for a month of COBRA so that he doesn't have any gaps in his coverage. But I agree that he shouldn't be too worried about getting screwed if something happens. This situation is exactly what COBRA is for in the first place. Yeah, it would be a bureaucratic hassle, but I am pretty confident he would be able to get reimbursed for anything his previous insurance covered, eventually.

 

[fourd]

That's pretty much the way it works. If you are REALLY concerned get your self a short term plan which can be issued the next day provided you don't have any major health issues. I would not worry about dealing with the insurer as COBRA is a federal law and it acts as if your current coverage never ended. You will also save the premium by waiting to see if you need it since your new coverage starts so quickly.

Pretty sure he will pretty much need to pay for a month of COBRA so that he doesn't have any gaps in his coverage. But I agree that he shouldn't be too worried about getting screwed if something happens. This situation is exactly what COBRA is for in the first place. Yeah, it would be a bureaucratic hassle, but I am pretty confident he would be able to get reimbursed for anything his previous insurance covered, eventually.

He'll have 60 days from the later of his last day of employment or the date of his election notice he receives to make his election. Since his new coverage starts so quickly if he doesn't have anythin to claim he will be able to avoid paying any COBRA premium and will still be considered having continuous coverage.

 

[jwb]

This happened back in 94, but it probably still works the same.

Left a job w/ benefits. Started a new one where benefits wouldn't take effect for 30 days. Much like yours, it seems.

Appendix went a week into the new job. Arrrrg...

About a month and a half later, I get the hospital bill. The same day I get a letter from COBRA saying in effect "do you want Cobra, retroactive to the day you left your old job?"

Errr, yes I do.

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

 

[hooter311]

You can free roll COBRA for 60 days. If something happens during that 60 days you can go back and pay premiums from day 1 and they can refile any claims. If nothing happens you just saved that month of premium.