Health insurance WWYD

[monsterz]

We are currently on my health insurance and I am not eligible for benefits immediately upon starting my new job.   I can't have a gap in medical insurance even for a month.   H is looking to see what his plan is like but the idea of switching twice sounds like a giant pain to me.   I see our options as:

1 - Apply for cobra for continuation of benefits

2- Get on H's plan long term

3 - Get on H's plan for the gap and then switch to my employer's plan


My employer offers an HSA which I think has a bunch of advantages for us and I am not sure if H's company offers one.  He is looking to see the options.  Financially we can afford paying for cobra out of pocket.    

[jerseyjaybird]

How soon will you be eligible through your new job?

[monsterz]

Aug 22, 2014 13:40:00 GMT -5 jerseyjaybird said:

How soon will you be eligible through your new job?

November 1st.    Which would give us 4-6 weeks without coverage.   

[Deleted]

I'd cobra.

[nomad100]

TBH, I would just COBRA the coverage unless you plan to stay on DH's plan long term. And that is mainly because that sounds like the least amount of paperwork.

Especially since, I believe, you have 45 days to decide to accept COBRA coverage and can pay back retro to its start date. So there is a chance you could actually have to pay nothing if you don't need the coverage.

[Poppy]

I've done #3 and it actually wasn't that bad. Do you know of Dr appts during the gap? That's the only painful part because it takes some time to get your new cards and stuff. It was a lot cheaper than COBRA though.

[Deleted]

I would probably do #3.

[Deleted]

Aug 22, 2014 13:49:31 GMT -5 @esquirefish said:

Isn't cobra retroactive? Such that you can NOT take it for that one month gap and then if it turns out you need it, apply for it which will take you retroactively back that one month?

I believe I had 2 months at my last job for this.

Yes, you can elect cobra retroactively to the date of loss of coverage, you just have to pay all the back premiums along with it.

[jerseyjaybird]

Aug 22, 2014 13:42:55 GMT -5 monsterz said:

Aug 22, 2014 13:40:00 GMT -5 jerseyjaybird said:

How soon will you be eligible through your new job?

November 1st.    Which would give us 4-6 weeks without coverage.   

For that amount of time, I might just use COBRA. This might not be the MM answer, but I think that switching health insurance plans is really torturous.

[lime]

#3

[aurora]

It depends on your reasoning for this statement: "I can't have a gap in medical insurance even for a month."

If it's because you're actively having services at intervals of less than a month, I might go with 2 or 3. However, if it's because you're like me and have a medical history where you're terrified of having a recurrence and going bankrupt to pay for it, then look into the retroactive nature of COBRA. I did go uninsured for a few days between jobs because I knew I could always apply retroactively if something happened and I needed the coverage.

Obviously get this in writing from your HR rather than trusting internet strangers if you pursue the trust-in-retroactive-COBRA option.

[monsterz]

Aug 22, 2014 14:05:00 GMT -5 kooshball said:

Are you officially leaving me ??!

Sadly yes, I am giving my notice on Monday.   

[monsterz]

Aug 22, 2014 14:31:23 GMT -5 aurora said:

It depends on your reasoning for this statement: "I can't have a gap in medical insurance even for a month."

If it's because you're actively having services at intervals of less than a month, I might go with 2 or 3. However, if it's because you're like me and have a medical history where you're terrified of having a recurrence and going bankrupt to pay for it, then look into the retroactive nature of COBRA. I did go uninsured for a few days between jobs because I knew I could always apply retroactively if something happened and I needed the coverage.

Obviously get this in writing from your HR rather than trusting internet strangers if you pursue the trust-in-retroactive-COBRA option.

I've been having some medical issues over the last few weeks - trip to the ER, blood work, cardiologists, prescriptions blah blah blah.    Not sure how long this will continue but the thought of not having insurance during this time period is not something I am willing to risk.  

[Deleted]

I would get on your DH's plan through the end of the year. Even if it's not as good as yours, you'll only be locked in until open enrollment, which is practically around the corner. Otherwise, it's a lot of switching around for such a short period of time. Plus, what you'd "lose" by not having an HSA, you'd just be handing over to pay your premium under Cobra anyway.

[LoveTrains]

I would investigate the new insurance at your new job and compare that to your H's plan and figure out what you guys are going to be doing long-term. Long-term, there are three options:
1. You go as a family on your employer plan
2. You go as a family on his employer plan
3. You each take your own insurance through your own employers.

After you made that decision, I would then do cobra if you are going for 1 OR 3. I wouldn't bother switching everybody to your H's insurance unless that is what you plan to do long term.

[ddi741]

Also make sure you can add your H to the new plan and vice versa. We were always on my H plan but his new job only allows spouses if they do not have the option of insurance from their employer so we spent time comparing plans and $$ and ended up with him on his and me on mine as it worked out better than both on mine.

[littlemermaid]

I would just sign up for COBRA that way your coverage stays the same and you don't have to worry about if your current doctor's take your husband's plan. 

[sh10]

If you've already had er trips, I would do cobra so you don't have to meet another deductible, but I probably wouldn't sign up unless I retroactively need it.

[DefenseAgainstTheDarkArts22]

You have 60 days from the date of notice or the date you lose coverage (whichever is later) to elect. From that election date you have 45 days to pay. Once you pay in full for that time your coverage will be retroactive to the date you originally lost coverage. It sounds like you don't want to be without coverage for a 'what if it I need it' standpoint instead of 'I have a 2k prescription monthly' reason I would go with the cobra and then pay if needed.

Now, depending on the state, if you are a pre-existing condition piece in the new insurance policy you may have problems if you are without coverage. If you have had coverage in the preceding X months they can't enforce a pre-existing conditions clause.

Source: www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq-consumer-cobra.html/Previous Cobra Administrator

[dexteroni]

Aug 22, 2014 15:25:03 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

I would investigate the new insurance at your new job and compare that to your H's plan and figure out what you guys are going to be doing long-term. Long-term, there are three options:
1. You go as a family on your employer plan
2. You go as a family on his employer plan
3. You each take your own insurance through your own employers.

After you made that decision, I would then do cobra if you are going for 1 OR 3. I wouldn't bother switching everybody to your H's insurance unless that is what you plan to do long term.

This is what I would do. If you've accepted an offer, you should be able to get all of the insurance info you need from your new employer. Good luck and congrats!

[Deleted]

Aug 23, 2014 9:33:13 GMT -5 sh10 said:

If you've already had er trips, I would do cobra so you don't have to meet another deductible, but I probably wouldn't sign up unless I retroactively need it.

She wouldn't have to meet a new deductible. Most carriers acknowledge expenses towards the deductible in the same calendar/plan year if you provide them with EOBs from the prior carrier.

[monsterz]

Thanks everyone. We have reviewed the plans and H is going on his plan immediately and I will go on mine and use cobra as a gap between the two.

[Pom]

Aug 22, 2014 13:47:18 GMT -5 nomad100 said:

TBH, I would just COBRA the coverage unless you plan to stay on DH's plan long term. And that is mainly because that sounds like the least amount of paperwork.

Especially since, I believe, you have 45 days to decide to accept COBRA coverage and can pay back retro to its start date. So there is a chance you could actually have to pay nothing if you don't need the coverage.

Do this.  Fill out the paperwork and then IF you need it, send it in.

[sh10]

Aug 23, 2014 21:43:18 GMT -5 @mrsspunky said:

Aug 23, 2014 9:33:13 GMT -5 sh10 said:

If you've already had er trips, I would do cobra so you don't have to meet another deductible, but I probably wouldn't sign up unless I retroactively need it.

She wouldn't have to meet a new deductible. Most carriers acknowledge expenses towards the deductible in the same calendar/plan year if you provide them with EOBs from the prior carrier.

Wow, I didn't know this. Good to know.