Freaking Out!!! - Cobra???

Okay, so I just got everything done, I was given the option to have the surgery at the end of May, so I just told my employer that I am going to be having surgery and they hit me with "we were thinking about changing the plan we use because its too expensive" now I work mostly for myself and this is just a part time job I keep with a small company strictly for health insurance. Now I am still covered for May which is when they want to do the surgery but I am going to have followups in June etc.

I was told that switching to Cobra is an option and that would enable me to keep the insurance coverage that I have but I would just pay for it in full, which is fine by me. I am freaking out right now!

Also, wont it seem strange to be switching to Cobra right before or after major surgery is scheduled? Will I need to get reapproved?  I am in NY btw if any of that matters.

I am not sure what to do. I was so excited finding out I can have surgery right away and then I am told that I might lose my current coverage! Figures.

Any suggestions would be REALLY appreciated. Also, should I call the insurance people at my surgeons office and tell them the situation and see what they suggest? Or should I not mention anything at this time until I know exactly whats going on.

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EDITED TO ADD

Resolved. They are going to keep my plan until the end of the year so I can get my surgery and then switch over when things are going to be less stressful for me.

Unless you quit your job COBRA may not be an option.
Not sure who told you that COBRA is an option but the federal governtment doesn't consider a change in plans to be a qualifying event.

Qualifying Events for Employees:

• Voluntary or involuntary termination of employment for reasons other than gross misconduct
• Reduction in the number of hours of employment

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html


Not sure if electing COBRA coverage (after you quit) would mean you would stay in the existing plan - or it means you just have the same coverage the active employees have.

I would quit. She told me if I quit then as long as I quit while they are under my old coverage that would be the coverage I would get. But I have no idea what to do. I am going to call her tonight and ask her to hang on to this plan for a few more months until after my surgery so I can transition.

That seems to contradict what is on the federal DOL website

http://www.dol.gov/elaws/ebsa/health/cobra.asp


See page 11 of this PDF file.   Based on this document from the federal government your cobra coverage will be subject to any changes made for the active employees. 

Any changes made to the plan’s terms that apply to similarly situated

active employees and their families will also apply to qualified

beneficiaries receiving COBRA continuation coverage.

I work for an insurance company, and the last post is correct. If your group changes their plan after you are on Cobra then your plan will change as well. If you are paying for Cobra you can only have what the company has, the insurance company can't keep you on the old policy just because the employer wants them to.

I'm not sure which insurance you have but my once my insurance company approved the surgery that also included 3 post op visits with no co pay. After that you can see your pcp. Cobra is expensive. Just see what they are going to switch it to. Your DS surgeon may take that insurance.

I looked into to COBRA when I found out that my company was changing from BCBS to UHC and the price for coverage immediately turned me off. I can't see myself paying half a month's salary, just not possible when bills get included.

I'd check and see how many post op appointments are included and go from there.