If I have a lapse in my health insurance coverage after leaving a job will I be able to get health insurance?

Question

once I start another job? I have type 2 diabetes and am hypothyroid if that makes a difference. I know there will be a 3 month waiting period as well as possible more time for pre-existing conditions but I can't afford the Cobra payments of $400 per month during that waiting period. What can I do? I may be able to deal with 3 months as long as I can pick it up again with another job.

Thanks so much for all the great answers, I guess consensus is I have a 63 day window. I live and work in NY and have Empire which most companies seem to have, if I get Empire again at another job will that help or hurt? I've had them about two and half years now, have had a heart attack and angioplasty while on them as well as other health issues, but thanks to my coverage am getting much better. Again thanks for all your great answers.

Answer 1

Yes, but they usually try to use that as leverage to refuse to pay for many items.

Answer 2

You shouldn't have a problem AT ALL, unless you have more than a 63 day break in coverage. If you do, you may be subject to pre-existing on your new insurance plan, which will mean your diabetes and hypothyroid condition might not be covered for a period of time.

As far as COBRA goes, you can play the "COBRA waiting game" to protect yourself. It's perfectly legal, and will protect you in the event of a large claim. Here's how it works:

By law your insurance company (or your employer) has to send you a COBRA enrollment form within 14 days of when your coverage ends. You will then have 60 days in which to decide whether or not to elect COBRA. You can take the entire 60 days - just make sure your enrollment form is postmarked by the 60th day. If you elect COBRA, you then have another 45 days before you have to pay the first premium.

If your new coverage kicks in during this period of time, you're in business - you'll never have to pay the COBRA premium, but yet you had the protection of knowing you could pay it and retain your medical coverage if you had to (if you had a costly emergency).

By doing this, you probably wouldn't have to pay for more than one month of COBRA, but it would definitely be worth paying for it if it keeps you from going more than 63 days without coverage. If your medical conditions are determined to be pre-existing by your new insurance carrier (because you had more than 63 days with no insurance), it will end up costing you a lot more than the $400 COBRA premium.

In other words, I'm saying it's in your best interest to pay the COBRA premium for one month.

Answer 3

You will end up paying much more in health expenses than the monthly money.

Call your current insurance company and ask if they have a bare bones individual policy that you can purchase. It won't have all the bells and whistles of your current policy but will go a long way towards removing the pre-existing condition crap. And would cover you if the worst happens (like diabetic coma/shock).

Good luck

Answer 4

You'll have to ask the HR folks at your new job (and you'll want to get their answer in writing.)

With your conditions, you really must make absolutely certain whether or not the new group policy waives pre-existing conditions (meaning that they would cover for everything from day one of being added to the new group policy.) This is an OPTION that groups choose for their policies. So, there's really no way for anyone else to know the answer for your particular situation.

Answer 5

In every state, there is one mandated insurance company that must provide you coverage. Having said that, you must then pay what they demand.

You will have a very difficult time getting individual coverage with T2 Diabetes. I have been an agent for a number of years, and know of just one company that will take you with your condition.

Your best bet is to get a position that provides some level of coverage.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Yes. And if the lapse is less than 63 days, the preexisting conditions will still be covered. If the lapse is more than 63 days, they can exclude the preexisting conditions.

Answer 7

if your next job has group health ... ya, maybe so

what if it doesn't? then you'd be in the individual market with pre-existing conditions. that means the pre-existing conditions will be excluded for months to years [or even permanently].


of course, you could get a quote via einsurance.com now and then call the cheaper outfits to find out how they treat lapses and pre-existing conditions.

:-)

Answer 8

Try cobra it will still be better than going without, You could also find a part time job to help make ends meet. Good luck.

Answer 9

good question freddie , each health insure is different . i would ask at your present job how that works .

Answer 10

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