Insurance and COBRA experience out there?!
Question:
Insurance and COBRA experience out there?
Okay, I've made dozens of calls and web searches trying to figure this out and no one has the same answer, so I'm throwing it out for anyone who's had an experience like it...
I recently quit my job and moved out of state on June 15. My insurance stopped on June 30 and on July 1 I had an ER visit and now have subsequent issues costing thousands. I expected to use COBRA (which works retroactively) but I just found out that my employer/plan has no coverage in my new state. Am I screwed now? Should I try Cobra and claim it was urgent care (which my old plan should have covered if I was still in my old state)?
I'm recalling my health care provider and the DOL Monday, but thought someone might have had a similar experience...
Answers:
You may not qualify for COBRA because of the move but you will probably qualify for Portability insurance. With portability you need to sign up within 63 days of loosing your group policy, have 18 months of prior insurance without a break lasting more than 63 days. Google "portability insurance" for more information.
The portability coverage is guaranteed if you qualify but the premium isn't. The premium will run 3 to 4 times a "normal" premium will.
Many of the major companies such as BCBS, United Health and Health Net have this type of coverage. You will want to contact one of these companies.
Be very wary of the medical discount cards mentioned. They are not regulated by the Department of Insurance nor do the people that sell them need to be licensed. This means you have little recourse when you have problems with the plan. If you are tempted by the low price and claims of “save up to 80%” be aware that very few doctors actually take these cards. It does you little good if you have to drive 4 hours to find a doctor that will accept the card. One state couldn’t find any doctors in that state that took the card and only one dentist who was on probation for unlawful activities so they banned the sale of the card. See this link http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/wes... for more information. Many other states are starting to ban these cards.
Before signing up with any discount plan get a list of doctors. If they won’t give you a list consider it to be a scam. Call the doctors on the list to make sure they’re still taking the card (many don’t even know that they’re listed as a provider) and that they’re accepting new patients.