[Hugh Southard]

How difficult is the switch to COBRA?

by Hugh Southard on Wed Apr 15, 2015 10:33 am

I get my insurance through my wife and she is looking at a possible job move. She will have 61 days between starting her new job and being placed on insurance.

Couple of questions.

We will need to be on COBRA for 61 days and, although it is expensive, we have planned on it. How tough is the transition to COBRA at first? I am on Revlimid maintenance so it is very important. Hoping they will not charge me the moon and then I have to try to get it back.

When we change insurance, it goes from Anthem to United Health Care. I have always had Blue Cross / Blue Shield and I need to see if there are any things I should be prepared for with the change. This is all very nerve wracking!

Thanks

[Dano]

Re: How difficult is the switch to COBRA?

by Dano on Wed Apr 15, 2015 10:50 pm

I purchased COBRA twice during employer changes over the past ten years, and fortunately the transition was seamless. The transition to COBRA should be seamless, and you will have the same exact coverage you had before. However, you are paying a higher premium to continue your "group" coverage.

I would pursue the COBRA application and processing as soon as possible, and don't forget the importance of a timely payment. if there is some unfortunate delay, you can always have your provider resubmit the claim explaining that you are on COBRA.

Insurance can and usually is a nightmare. I wish you the best

[robert]

Re: How difficult is the switch to COBRA?

by robert on Fri Apr 17, 2015 2:56 pm

I hav been in the health insurance business for rt plus years. COBRA is not a kind of insurance but rather an acronym for the law that mandates that all group insurance is allowed to be continued when an employee leaves their job. Same plan, same benefits, same insurance.

The only difference is the employee must now pay all of the premium, not just the employee's portion. There should be no problems. Also, when the new plan becomes available from the new employer, it should be easy to get coverage. Remember, in the days of ObamaCare, all plans are guaranteed issue. You can't be denied due to preexisting conditions.

Robert Burchit

[Elizabeth Whitney]

Re: How difficult is the switch to COBRA?

by Elizabeth Whitney on Fri Apr 17, 2015 4:02 pm

I was in the same situation and found the switch to COBRA seamless. In a couple of months, before changing back to using your wife's policy and stopping COBRA, do your homework and carefully research what the new insurance guidelines will be, especially if you are taking any oral chemos.

[cindylouise]

Re: How difficult is the switch to COBRA?

by cindylouise on Fri Apr 17, 2015 6:21 pm

I agree with Robert. My husband transitioned to COBRA during a time when I had to take a reduction in hours to care for him. The coverage was exactly the same as it was before, you're just paying the whole premium for it.

[lattecat]

Re: How difficult is the switch to COBRA?

by lattecat on Sat Apr 18, 2015 8:22 am

I was on COBRA when I was first diagnosed. I had absolutely no change in my coverage. The only thing I advise is to make sure that there is absolutely no gap when you change insurance provider or they may not cover your treatment because then it becomes a "pre-existing" issue.

[Bluemountain]

Re: How difficult is the switch to COBRA?

by Bluemountain on Tue May 12, 2015 9:52 am

Pre-existing conditions do not really matter anymore. Thank you President Obama!

When I was starting my transplant, my wife got a new job, her insurance was much better then mine, so we talked with her corporate benefits coordinator and asked what would happen, if we could do it, etc. He response was, due to Obamacare, we cannot consider pre-existing conditions and we can transfer you to your wife's insurance without any issues.

This was in 2012, and it saved us thousands of dollars. In 2007, I would have been screwed. The money saved was enough that it makes a big difference in my life.

Learn the laws ... learn what has changed, even if you hate the guy. You will benefit from the new healthcare laws if you take the time to learn your options. Also, with this type of illness, learn about lifetime limits. It's a big deal, but Obamacare eliminates those in most cases!

Good luck