Need Medical Ins. Advice

Hey guys. I lost my job Jan 2nd. My regular insurance was deducted from my last paychecks to pay for this month. However, my new insurance that started this year makes me pay the first $2K before they pay a dime. My issue is I received a bill for Cobra Insurance to start in Feb at the same price I was paying before ($48). Do I keep this insurance which also has my life insurance with it or do I CANCEL it??? I dont forsee any medical problems and I know I can't get Medicaid since I make too much money on Unemployment. Also I have heard that if say a year later I have a different insurance and job they will not pay anything if I have any problems since this surgery was a preexisting condition? Thanks, Jen

i know this much.. if you switched from a group policy to another group policy then "pre-existing" doesnt matter. at least thats why my ins. guy has told us..and why would you pay for cobra if you have insurance now? because of the high deductible? i dont think cobra will work if you have other insurance.. but im not an insurance agent so you might wanna do some research on the issue.. good luck! jen

Did you ever go back for your follow up? I remember you telling me at group about your job and insurance and didn't think it would pay for it. You are paid up for 3 months after surgery. It is real important to go see the Doctor and check in. Even though everything is going good, if God forbid, something happens, they might hold it against you for not coming back in for your check ups. Insurance is a crazy thing, and something I don't know anything about. I am sure you can call your former insurance company and ask them your questions. They will probably be happy to help you. Good luck. Deb

Jen Cobra is rather expense- are u sure that it will only cost u $48?? Also u might want to be on cobra for the simple fact that u might have to show continuation of coverage if there is ever an issue of a pre- existing condition. Is u're life insurance somthing u can carry with u once u leave u're job? or is it a group meaning it is only good as long as u are employed with the company. Call u're HR rep- they should be able to help u or contact the number on your cobra form. So many questions............I'll try to call u later- gotta whip up something for supper. Ana

I can actually help as insurance is what I do for a living... I urge you to pay the COBRA. Once you find a new job, if you kept COBRA and didnt have a lapse in coverage, any pre-exisiting condition limitiations are waived BECAUSE when you terminate the COBRA, they will send you a letter of "creditable coverage" which tells any new insurance that they cant apply the PXC against you because you were NEVER without insurance. Its part of HIPPA. If you dont keep active coverage, and a new employer's plan has PXC, then your screwed because the only things that are not PXC are pregnancy and diabetes... everything else can be denied for up to 18 months, or some plans deny the first $5k worth of charges...and that would include any emergencies. PXC looks back into your medical history 18 months... so ANYTHING that you have gone to the DR for within the past 18 months, could potentially be denied by your future plan. Crys