"Insurance" section answerers -- how much do you REALLY know about ...?

Question

HIPAA and COBRA?

I've been posting here for more than a year and have seen soooo many incorrect answers about these subjects. (So far today, I've read 7 blatently incorrect answers on these subjects.) PLEASE, for the sake of the people you're trying to help, I urge you to read up on HIPAA and COBRA. For example, did you know that: HIPAA permits a person a 63-day lapse in between (NOT 30, as some answer here)? that an employer waiting period is NOT counted toward the 63 days? that COBRA coverage CAN be reinstated under many circumstances? that pregnancy CANNOT be considered a PRE-EXISTING condition *EVER* under a group policy, whether the mother has had previous coverage or not?

Here are good sources to start brushing up on these subjects:

HIPAA: http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/portability.htm
COBRA: http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm

I'm asking this because I know we all want to provide correct information.

Thanks, Zippy and Old School. I hope this question will cause the answerers who give out incorrect information to read up on these subjects. But I'm glad you two take this seriously! I'm just sick of seeing people being mislead.

Answer 1

Oh Suzanne, I agree. Some people think they are experts at everything & they answer more questions than they should. I get very annoyed at incorrect answers from people who hold themselves out as experts. If I read a question & don't know the answer, I don't answer it...

Answer 2

I work in health insurance, mainly in eligibility and with COBRA, so I try to stick with what I know when I am answering questions. I have taken several courses on HIPAA and am considered one of the experts in my company.

I hope that the people that are asking the questions do not solely rely on the information that they are given and do some research on their own to make sure that they are being advised correctly.

Answer 3

Tons about HIPAA. I took the lead in HIPAA compliance at my work place. Have been dealing with it since the initial rules in 1996. I am still the person they ask regarding tough HIPAA issues, not the compliance officer. I still have issues with other providers regarding this, and it is a pain.

Getting back into COBRA more now that I deal with enrollments and terminations. It comes back quickly.

Answer 4

I don't know much about COBRA except that it can be a pain during the changeover... I'm required for my job as a medical biller to know about HIPAA though - as it pertains to the use of information....

Answer 5

Suzanne:

I feel your 'pain'. I mostly respond in the real estate/renting section and am thoroughly amazed at the lack of knowledge from the majority of the respondents, some of whom are 'top contributors'.

I just plod along for the heck of it.

Answer 6

Ditto. If we'd really stick to what we're experts at, maybe we would be held out as experts.