Insurance Questions, 5 weeks pregnant. Hubby switching jobs....?

Question

I am 5 weeks pregnant. I purchased geisinger ins Jan 1st 2007 and then dropped it Jan 31st 2007 since there maturnity coverage was horrible! My hubby has had the same ins for years Blue Cross / Blue Shield.His boss pays for his ins 100% due to my hubbys requests to work for there company. I bought geisinger ins b/c it was cheaper for me to have induvidual through geisinger than to have a fmily plan through his work... about 800$!!! plus...we didnt think we would get so lucky on conceiving so fast :) we are blessed... moving on... He added me on Feb 1st 2006 and I am covered 100% and everything will be covered 100%. He just got a fabulous job offer 75k plus a yr. The new corp has the BC/BS Ins also. Will I be covered? I called BC/BS and they said if the plan is group I will be covered which it will be since its a HUGE CORPORATION... although what about the waiting period for Ins at a new job if there is one we arent sure yet, just being prepared.... any advise?

Answer 1

By reading the answers here, I can see there's a lot of misunderstanding about this issue.

Under the terms of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), pregnancy CANNOT be considered a pre-existing condition under ANY circumstance, including lack of previous group-based coverage. This portion of the law applies to fully-insured group plans and to self-funded ERISA (employer group) plans.

Here's proof:

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_hipaa.html

Scroll down to the section titled "What is a pre-existing condition" and read paragraph three.

Answer 2

Maternity is not considered a pre-existing condition. There's a federal law that does not allow an insurance company to exclude maternity related services through a pre-existing condition.

The lawyer in the link below has this info listed: Pre-existing condition exclusions cannot be applied to pregnancy, regardless of whether the woman had previous health coverage.

The state laws listed on this web site are irrelevant, do not use them as a source, only the federal... The is the most clearly defined, and jargon-less explanation I could find.

Answer 3

If your current plan ends immediately prior to the new plan beginning, you will recieve a letter in the mail from your current plan called a "Certificate of Coverage". Keep this letter!!! When your first claim on the new insurance is filed by the provider, you're probably going to get a letter from the current plan asking if you have other coverage or any prior coverage - they will send you this letter before the doctor gets paid, so respond to it ASAP. Sometimes, you just need to call the plan (a number will be on the letter), sometimes you can just fax them a copy of the "Certifitcate of Coverage". The point is, follow those directions exactly and you should be okay.

Good luck and congrats!

Answer 4

You need to contact the corporation, as well as the insurance company. Many insurance companies won't cover pre-existing conditions and since you were pregnant before they may not cover anything related to your pregnancy. I'd find out as soon as possible, because this is definitely something you want to prepare for. Good luck.

Answer 5

you're able to be waiting to get coverage by using your new business enterprise. additionally, i don't understand what state you reside it, yet maximum states grant loose well-being shield people who're pregnant. you need to to verify in the family members medical bypass away act plan they have. in the event that they have a coverage to pay you once you're on maternity bypass away you will probable could be working there for a year to receive this beneift.

Answer 6

Pregnancy is sometimes considered a pre-existing condition. It varies from one insurance agency to another. Call the insurance people and talk with human resources at your husband's job. They will help you more than we can.

I guess some laws have changed in the recent past. Talk with Human Resources. They still know more than most of us.

Answer 7

First of all, congratulations.

"Jack" has a good answer... the new company HR department / benefits group will be able to answer your questions, since it can vary.

Data you need to have available:
dates when you have been covered / not covered by insurance
plan / policy numbers

The good news:
you are probably in good shape, as you had coverage as of the "event" date and you state you are moving to a large corporation.

Answer 8

It depends on the insurance plan. You are already pregant so it is possible they will not cover care for pregnancy under a pre-existing condition clause.

Answer 9

just deal with it after the baby is born