Posted: 7/5/2008 1:48:07 PM EDT
|
I've had COBRA before and looking into it again, but have a question about insurance and pre-existing things... I was told if you have a break in insurance coverage the next company/plan you get on will consider all things pre-existing. In other words, if you have continous coverage than things you had in the past will still be covered under the new plan. But break that coverage and then you are screwed. I would really appreciate some confirmation! Thanks! |
It really depends on the state you are in. Generally speaking, as long as you have had continuous coverage for the past 12 months, then there will be no pre-existing conditions. However, going to cobra, you can have up to 90 days lapse in coverage without a pre-ex clause taking effect with the next carrier. Keep in mind, this is true only going from Group Coverage to Group Coverage. All bets are off when you enroll in an individual plan. ETA: Feel free to IM me if you have any further questions. Insurance Agent specializing in Health Insurance X 14 years. 
|
Fair enough. The point is that there is coverage out there that you can buy yourself for way less than COBRA. |
I think the OP was asking about COBRA and implying he had some pre-existing conditions. Pre-Ex's and individual conditions don't mix. 
|
|
I would not suggest a break in coverage. It can cause problems with pre-existing conditions if you switch to an individual insurance plan. If you go this route ==> Group coverage to COBRA to Individual Plan: I believe that under HIPAA, you have some protection against the individual plan excluding your medical conditions you had during the group coverage. To get this protection, you have to use your COBRA coverage, and you have to exhaust your COBRA coverage. If you go straight from Group Coverage to an Individual Plan, the individual plan will more than likely exclude any previous medical problems as a pre-existing condition. ETA: Here is a good FAQ on HIPAA ==> www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_hipaa.html |
| I went from group coverage to Cobra to individual insurance and DID have to address pre-existing conditions with the providers of the individual coverage. In fact, I was turned down by the first carrier I applied to. The second carrier signed me up, but certain situations were not covered for a period of time--1 year I believe, but that could be wrong. I did not exhaust the COBRA coverage before seeking individual coverage and that was a good thing 'cause it took a couple of months to shuffle medical records around between the docs and the insurance companies. |