Question:
Am I still covered if already approved?

My husband was terminated from his job 17th of May, insurance coverage is until 31st May, my surgery is scheduled for June 12th. I read a lot of good information in the database but I am confused.....am I already covered for surgery since I will be continuing with the coverage or do I need to go through the process again....also since it was my husband's insurance can we take out only coverage on me for surgery???? thanks for any info    — Mandy M. (posted on May 22, 2001)

May 22, 2001
I had my surgery done while on COBRA. Your benefits are exactly the same as long as you maintain the payments.
   — Allie B.

May 22, 2001
I am a nurse who has worked for an insurance company, and the way it usually works is that you have to purchase the cobra benefits for your husband as well as yourself. It the policy was his and you are covered as a spouse he has to be covered to maintain your coverage. If there is no break in coverage, you should not have to go through the approval process again, as the insurer and the plan will be the same, the only differenc will be how you pay for it. I would check on the dates though. Usually if an employee is terminated, his coverage terminates on that day, so you would have to pick up the cobra payments right away. I would call the head of human resources of your husbands company, as well as the insurance company and GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. Keep in mind too, that although you can maintain cobra for 18 months, you don't have to once the surgery is over if it is too expensive for you. Good luck. Janet Wright
   — Janet W.

May 22, 2001
I am a nurse who has worked for an insurance company, and the way it usually works is that you have to purchase the cobra benefits for your husband as well as yourself. It the policy was his and you are covered as a spouse he has to be covered to maintain your coverage. If there is no break in coverage, you should not have to go through the approval process again, as the insurer and the plan will be the same, the only differenc will be how you pay for it. I would check on the dates though. Usually if an employee is terminated, his coverage terminates on that day, so you would have to pick up the cobra payments right away. I would call the head of human resources of your husbands company, as well as the insurance company and GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. Keep in mind too, that although you can maintain cobra for 18 months, you don't have to once the surgery is over if it is too expensive for you. Good luck. Janet Wright
   — Janet W.

May 22, 2001
I am a nurse who has worked for an insurance company, and the way it usually works is that you have to purchase the cobra benefits for your husband as well as yourself. It the policy was his and you are covered as a spouse he has to be covered to maintain your coverage. If there is no break in coverage, you should not have to go through the approval process again, as the insurer and the plan will be the same, the only differenc will be how you pay for it. I would check on the dates though. Usually if an employee is terminated, his coverage terminates on that day, so you would have to pick up the cobra payments right away. I would call the head of human resources of your husbands company, as well as the insurance company and GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. Keep in mind too, that although you can maintain cobra for 18 months, you don't have to once the surgery is over if it is too expensive for you. Good luck. Janet Wright
   — Janet W.

May 22, 2001
You don't have to restart the process, COBRA just allows you to continue with the same policy you had before your husband's job was terminated. And yes, you can elect individual coverage. The only problem that may arise is that since your surgery is scheduled for June 12th, your coverage may not be updated to show that you are a COBRA participant and so any claims submitted for services rendered after May 31st may be denied. Some doctors may want you to pay out of pocket, but that's something you'll need to verify. As soon as your coverage is updated, any unpaid claims can be resubmitted for reprocessing. I wish you all the best.
   — dandjon