I am planning to leave my currentr job...but I need health care...they don't have COBRA what do I do?


Question:
Okay the one detail that i left out is that I am pregnant and absolutely will need healthcare...currently my employer is practically forcing me to take a position that my husband nor I am satisfied with. I need some resources

Answers:
First of all, blessings on a healthy pregnancy and delivery!!! I'm currently awaiting the any-day-now presence of my grandson!!!!

My credentials to offer you advice:

1) I was an HR Executive for 30 years; I've successfully managed Multiple Sclerosis for over 45 years.
2) I have a passion for, and mission to assist folks in "medical and or medical/disability insurance" need attain that for which they are entitled. Toward that end, I have a website dedicated to this endeavor. It contains tons of directly applicable information, including a calander that explains the relationship of health and disability insurances. Website is: http://www.disabilitykey.com

About COBRA: if your company offers health insurance, they are REQUIRED BY IRS STATUTES to offer COBRA. HOWEVER, that coverage is expensive, as you will need to pay for 100 - 102% of the cost of the insurance.

Here are some considerations and options for you to consider:

1) The most important thing for you to worry about with your current pregnancy is something called "pre-existing condition". This means that, if you have already seen a dr for a "condition" when you get new health insurance, your "services" for that condition would not be covered for up to 12 months. THE EXCEPTIONS to this situation are: COBRA, HIPAA (see next point for definition); and going from one "group insurance" to another "group insurance" without a break in service.

2) HIPAA = Health Insurance Portability Act Admin (can't remember what the last A stands for!!). The insurance company that offered the group health insurance that you have with your company is required under this act to offer you a very basic continued insurance plan, in addition to, or in lieu of, COBRA.

3) Loosing coverage of health insurance from your employer by leaaving your job is what is called - in the benefit world - a "qualifying event" that makes you eligible to be covered by your husband's health insurance plan, WITHOUT HAVING TO WAIT FOR HIS OPEN ENROLLMENT. You just need to let his benefits folks know that you want coverage as a spouse under his plan because you lost coverage under yours (you may have to provide "proof of loss of coverage" - a letter that you will receive from your company of their insruance co when you leave employment. If you don't immediately get it, ask for it - you'll need it!!). This means that you will be going from one group plan to another without a break in service, so any "pre-existing condition" exemption would not be applicable to you.

Hope that this information is of use to you. Please feel free to contact me through my yahoo id if you have additional questions.

Best of luck!!!

Other Answers:
Cobra is expensive, I know I paid $394.97 per month,thank God I'm now on Medicare, now.
Can't you be covered by your husband's provider? If he doesn't have healthcare he should at least try to work it out.
You may have to take out insurance independently.

Act quickly, and good luck/congrats!
I suggest one of two things. Take the position until after the baby is born to remain covered under your current healthcare plan. You should be eligible for COBRA coverage if you currently have a healthcare plan thru your employer. Call your healthcare provider.


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