Question:
been approved but changing jobs, help!!!

i have been offered a better paying job with another company and i really need the extra pay! but i have been approved for my surgery, which is june 11th,(i had to pospone it because of my current job)i wont be able to get new covereage until 90 days on the new job. i've heard of cobra, if i get it will my approval still stand? please help! i will give the job opportunity up if i'm not sure my surgery is not going to happen. I WANT MY CAKE AND EAT IT TOO! and who knows my new insurace may have an exclusion! ok i'm rambling.... please ease my mind!    — TIFFANY R. (posted on February 28, 2003)

February 28, 2003
Just get the COBRA and you will be fine, just make sure that you make the payments on time. COBRA carries over the same plan and coverage you currently have.
   — Sarah S.

February 28, 2003
COBRA does not apply if you quit one job to go to another. It only applies if you are laid off. If you leave your current job for a different one, COBRA is not an option for you. Is there any way you can find out about the policy your potential new employer has? You might just be able to ask the HR department at the new employer what your options are and then you can call to find out if it will approve the surgery. I do have to warn you, though, that this may not work. I tried to call an HMO on behalf of one of my co-workers and they wouldn't talk to me at all.
   — garw

February 28, 2003
Cobra means that you have the right to continue to stay on your plan for up to 18 months after leaving a job. It is not cheap - For example I had Cobra insurance once that cost $400 to keep the plan my job gave me at no upfront cost. It seems an expensive way to keep your insurance when you can probably join your group plan at your new job. And, I believe that you may not be eligible to get Cobra if your new job automatically gives you insurance. It would only be an option if you have to elect to take coverage at your new job.
   — Julie S.

February 28, 2003
Wow! I don't have an answer for you but just wanted to say Good Luck !! I hope everything works out completely to your benefit(no pun intended..ha ha).
   — kathleen-Joan piper

February 28, 2003
If you quit you job you are entitled to cobra. Cobra is just a continuation of the same insurance, but you have to pay it yourself. I don't know what the timing of your new job is, but COBRA is worth it to get the surgery. Perhaps since you are changing jobs you can get an earlier surgery date.
   — faybay

March 1, 2003
Since surgery is obviously very important to you I would try and work this situation as best you can. Move your surgery back up as far as you can and take the time off from this job, even if it has to be without pay, but stay on their personnel roster. Once you are recovered and back to normal and know you won't have any problems then give your notice at work. If you can get this all completed within 2 months, hopefully this new employer might be willing to hang in there. I would be honest with the new employer and tell them you have planned to have WLS and it is already approved with your current insurance. If they really like you they will be excited to have you as an even healthier person who will be with them a long time. <p>I would see how far you can move the surgery up and once you have that date add 4 weeks and see if your new employer will agree to let you start then. In the meantime, if you tell your current employer about having surgery and they don't like it then let them fire you and get unemployment and COBRA and still get your surgery. Them firing you for taking off for surgery, elective or not, would certainly qualify you for unemployment and maybe even a lawsuit, although I would not go that way because you want to leave anyway. <p>I personally do not think it is wise to gamble that the new plan will cover it and I also do not think it is wise to start a new job only to end up being off for a while soon after you start. If it was an emergency surgery that would be one thing but where it is a planned elective surgery I would think it would be best to wait 6-12 months. So see if my hairbrained scheme will work. I always have to be different. Chris
   — zoedogcbr

March 1, 2003
thanks you guys! ya'll have helped me more than you know!
   — TIFFANY R.

March 2, 2003
Hi. Yes you can get COBRA, even if you quit your job. Gar is wrong about this. This is one of the reasons for COBRA-- many people who quit their jobs have waiting periods for coverage in their new jobs; COBRA will bridge the gap. You can find US Department of Labor information about COBRA at: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html. The Department of Labor is the branch of government responsible for regulating COBRA. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about COBRA. Sincerely, Beth ([email protected]).
   — Beth S.