Insurance coverage after I move may be a problem

[bailachel]

I just got off the phone with BCBS of Florida. They will not cover me with an individual plan because I have been on CPAP for less than 2 years despite the fact that I am currently covered by a BCBS group plan in Maryland. The elapsed time is measured from the start of CPAP until the time of application not the time coverage would start. Unfortunately, the timing of my upcoming move is such that my Maryland coverage will end before the 2 years are up. Sheesh.

The woman on the phone wouldn't say whether or not their underwriters would accept my application after the two year period has elapsed. In any event, among other things, I can't really picture spending 2 days driving down I95 with no insurance coverage. Guess I'll just have to keep looking.

[JohnBFisher]

Clearly you need to continue to look. It's a shame they penalize a patient who has been compliant. You could try to appeal - if you have enough patience. Do keep us updated. This is the type of thing that all of us in the US can face. Hope you are able to find a reasonable insurer.

[Roger2]

Most employers with 20 or more employees are subject to the COBRA plan which became Federal law after that legislation was passed in 1986 and is still in full force. It appears you should be able to qualify since your insurance will terminate due to your quitting and moving away. Normally you can keep the COBRA plan for up to 18 months and if you have a qualifying disability that ca add another 11 months. It is not inexpensive however.

Roger

[Slinky]

My neighbor just retired. He has 18 months until he is eligible for Medicare. COBRA for his wife and him is $1200 a month!!!

[archangle]

Be very careful on getting COBRA coverage. You have to get coverage pretty quickly and if you miss the deadline, you're out of luck. They don't want to give you COBRA coverage, and will try all sorts of scams to keep you from getting coverage. One frequent trick is to delay sending you information, or accept your application, but never send you a bill. Once the deadline passes and you haven't paid, you're out of luck. They also take advantage of the fact that you're busy in the process of moving and may miss a detail somewhere.

[LSAT]

Cobra Insurance.....https://www.cobra-insurance.com/

[archangle]

Cobra Insurance.....https://www.cobra-insurance.com/

Be careful of such sites. They aren't necessarily the official government COBRA info. They're usually trying to sell you private insurance, not COBRA. That doesn't mean the info is wrong, just be aware of where the info is coming from.

The US government site is here: http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm

Another non-government insurance site had this page, which seemed pretty informative.

http://www.cobrainsurance.com/COBRA_FAQ.htm

[bailachel]

Yes, I know about COBRA , in fact I used it when I left my corporate job some years ago. However, it doesn't apply in this situation as I am now self employed. But thanks for the suggestions. I will keep looking on Monday. Worst case scenario, I will have to get the group insurance for those who have been denied individual coverage. More expensive, but I won't go without insurance.

[archangle]

I wonder if there's any way to keep your coverage in Maryland until after you hit the time limit. There's often out of state coverage in these plans if you're "traveling." Maybe you should "live" in Maryland for a while and just happen to be "traveling" to Florida a lot while you're "in the process" of moving.

[bailachel]

Well, I extended my Maryland coverage through the end of the period for which I was paying rent there, even though I had physically moved. That gave me a little more time to find a new plan. I was finally able to get coverage without having a gap in insurance but.... it is costing me $1030 / month!!!!! Sheesh!

I found another plan for $586/month as long as I didn't want it to pay for Drs office visits, specialist visits, prescription medicine (even if generic) or durable medical equipment. Not really all that helpful unless I have a catastrophe.

So, at least I have insurance. I'm going to give it a rest for a while and then look again to see if I can find a more reasonable plan.

[Bons]

This is why we need some kind of health care or at least health insurance reform.

My husband and I are pastors in the same denomination. Rule is, if you don't take health insurance during your first pastorate, you can never enroll in the denomination plan. My first "call" was a part-time student position with no benefits, so I am covered on my husband's plan. Problem is, he is going on short-term disability. We cannot change the insurance coverage to a policy in my name if I'd be able to find a full-time call that would pay for it (still serving small churches no one else wants, that can't afford bennies). Even though it would be the same insurace company and cover the people they've been covering for 28 years. We have to come up with a way to pay $16000 a year for insurance if he has to go to permanent disability.

However, they would make an exception if he dies. So I guess if he has to go back to work to pay for the insurance and dies from his cardiac issues, I'll be okay: can add coverage in my name, and have the life insurance to pay for it for a couple of years. Then again, they probably wouldn't cover the pre-existing conditions they've been paying for for all these years.