Question:
Hubby fired. How will Cobra affect my already approved surgery?

I am approved and have a surgery date (5/29). Hubby fired today. . Help! I'm worried I've come so far and now this! I am approved and have a surgery date of 5-29. We found out today that my DH has lost his job and according to benefits, insurance coverage will end today as well. We will receive COBRA papers soon (2 wks she said) but will this affect my approval at all?? I would hate for the surgeon's office to reschedule my date since I no longer have coverage. . .We WILL pay for COBRA for the rest of the month if it means my surgery can go as planned. Anyone else had this experience and can tell me what to expect or how to plan/inform Dr office?? =( Thanks in advance.    — [Anonymous] (posted on May 9, 2001)

May 9, 2001
COBRA is the exact same insurance - with the same co-pays, coverage and exclusions - that your husband had while employed. The only difference is you are paying the full premium, rather than the employer paying most of it. I didn't even start researching the surgery until I was on COBRA and there was never a question from the surgeon, the hospital or the insurance company. I was almost positive I would get turned down or receive reduced benefits in some fashion or other, but it turned out to be needless worrying on my part. You will, however, want to maintain COBRA until your have new insurance so your aftercare will be paid.
   — Allie B.

May 9, 2001
I was in the same boat you are and Allie is right. It's still the same. You may want to try and pay the monthly premiums as long as you can in case of complications. They are expensive but you do have that option for 18 months. I developed a hernia that will need fixed so I am thankful we are still paying the premiums. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions.
   — Deb H.

May 9, 2001
Cobra should not be a problem for you to get coverage. Your Pre-approval will still be valid, and the insurance company will pay just as much for your surgery as otherwise. But, you may run into a few problems verifying your coverage during that lag time between now and when you submit your first COBRA payment. Your coverage will be retroactive back to dh's termination date, but they won't be able to tell that until after you start paying. So, go through with your surgery, but be prepared to submit and re-submit some of your bills afterward until the insurance company figures out that they really do need to pay them. And, try to rush your COBRA paperwork through as quickly as possible to reduce the possible paperwork complications. Good Luck!
   — Lynn K.