Question:
Will switiching to COBRA affect approval timeframe?

lost job on 2/7/03. my dr sent in for approval on 1/28/03. as of today 2/22 no answer yet . march 1 ill be on COBRA u think approval will jsut carry over or do we have to start from scratch    — MAHALA J. (posted on February 27, 2003)

February 26, 2003
COBRA stands for something, although I forget what. But what it means is that, if you are laid off, your current employer has to let you stay in the group plan you were in before the layoff. You will probably have to pay the full premium (your employer doesn't have to pay anything, but does have to let you stay in the group). I think they can also charge you a little more for administrative fees, but it's the same insurance plan as you are on now. No one but you and your employer even need to know that you are using COBRA.
   — garw

February 26, 2003
I was laid off from my job 08/15/02 but my severance package including my insurance was good until 12/31/02. My COBRA didn't kick in until 2/03/03. My surgeon sent my paperwork into my insurance on 02/21/03 and I was called on 02/26/03 with my approval for surgery.
   — Debbie S.

February 27, 2003
When your on COBRA it's the same as still being on your current plan. You don't start from scratch. However, if your doctor sent in for approval a month ago, I'd be calling the insurance company to find out the status. That's a LONG time to wait and not hear anything.
   — Patty H.

February 27, 2003
HI I HAD MY SURGERY ON MAY 3 2002 I WAS LAID OFF IN JAN 31 2002 AND MY SURGERY WAAS ALREADY APPROVED WENT ON COBRA EVEN THOUGH IT WAS EXPENSIVE I WANTED THE SURGERY VERY BAD AND DID NOT WANT TO HAVE TO GO THRU PRE EXSITING CONDITION SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE BEST THING TO DO AND IT WAS EVERYTHING WENT THRU SMOOTHLEY NO PROMBLEMS WITH INSURANCE ISSUES. COBRA JUST MEANS YOUR SAME INSURANCE COBRA IS JUST A BILLING COMPANY FOR THE INSURANCE EVERYTHING STAYS THE SAME YOU CAN HAVE IT BY LAW FOR 18 MOS.
   — ROSEMARY A.