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Topic: Any insurance issues with a job change?

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  • Posted on: Nov 18, 2009 10:54 pm
Buffalo Grove , IL
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 165
linn56 wrote:

My husband will be changing jobs soon. I am self-employed so we are both covered under his company group policy. He is starting the new job Dec 20, at which time coverage from the old company ends. Insurance for the new job starts as of Jan 1, so we are going on Cobra for the interim.

I had 2 lumpectomies and am mostly through radiation at this point, finishing around Dec 3. I will have Tamoxifen starting...not sure when (Jan? ): and will have plenty of followup appointments, I'm sure.

I am wondering if anyone else has had this insurance transition situation, and if you had any problems. I know there is a supposed to be a law coving this situation, that you can't fail to be covered for a pre-existing condition, if the insurance change is due to a job change. But I'm wondering if, in practice, insurance companies try to weasel out of it in some way.

Linn
Posts 1 - 2 (2 total)
hbowser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 250
Nov 19, 2009 06:35 pm hbowser wrote:

Linn,

Depending on the type of insurance you have and if you pay any of the premiums, you may be covered through the end of December from your husband's old company.  At my company, if someone resigns at the beginning of the month, we will deduct the full month's premiums from their last pay to cover their benefits through the end of the month.  Unless, he leaves before December, I would double check with your hurman resources department to see if you're covered.  Also, if you need to go on COBRA, remember the new law that was put in place in 2009 to lower your COBRA payment.  Sorry, I am not sure about the pre-existing condition part.  Since you will be only taking Tamoxifen (prescription), prescription plans are different than medical procedures.  I hoped I helped a little.  Good luck.

Holly   

2tzus
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 402
Nov 20, 2009 03:57 pm 2tzus wrote:

Hi Linn, The law to which you are referring is HIPAA..Health Insurance Portability and Insurance Act. It restricts insurance companies from denying coverage for a pre-existing condition provided that you were previously insured. Cobra is the method in which people can keep their coverage while they are transitioning so that they can meet the condition of being previously ensured. this is for employment related group plans. Here's the website: http://www.hipaa.org/

Just be aware that while you can't be denied coverage for your pre-existing condition, the actual benefits in TREATING this condition might be different than your previous insurance, so you will want to read the new policy. Good luck!


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