Question:
Insurance Dilemma - Advice Needed Please!

Hi and thank you for taking the time to respond to my question. I currently have CIGNA-HMO through my husbands employer and have been denied, I have already submitted my first appeal, now waiting...... My dilemma is this; my husband may be switching jobs very soon and I may be loosing my current insurance and not really sure what type if any the next position will offer. I'm wondering if someone can help me to understand how the insurance works if he leaves this company (with notice of course). Can we continue with CIGNA if we pay premiums or do we automatically go into cobra and how will this affect my appeal process or surgery in general? Can anyone please explain this to me or help to understand how it works. Thanks in advance for any advice I may receive... God Bless, Vikki    — Vikki L. (posted on July 23, 2003)

July 23, 2003
Your husband, and you since you are on his current insurance, will have the opportunity to continue your same coverage with Cigna through COBRA. Your husband's employer should give him all the information before he officially separates from the job but if it looks like he won't have coverage with his new employer, he should be proactive and get all the information asap. You actually have 60 days after his separation from the job to decide you want COBRA coverage but if there's a lapse, you could end up paying the full cost of doctor's visits or other work you have done and then have to submit for reimbursement once the COBRA coverage is official. So you would want to avoid any gap if possible. That's not to say that you would be totally responsible for any expenses, you just may have to pay for them out of pocket until everything is finalized and then get reimbursed. The switch could result in a delay with your appeal or surgery but the sooner you get the COBRA paperwork processed, the less likely that would be. Just so you understand, your coverage will still be with Cigna and COBRA is the federal Act which allows you to continue with your coverage. So all of the requirements that you've had for surgery remain the same. You won't be dealing with a different insurance company. Also, your premiums will likely be more expensive than what you're paying now through your husband's employer, but much much less than having self-pay for surgery. Hope this helps.
   — antiques55

July 23, 2003
Vikki, Lori is right. Also, you can check out www.insure.com. They are a great resource, also you can find insurance laws by state on that site. GL
   — SweetDragonfly

July 23, 2003
This should help you understand COBRA and any pre existing clause added if you choose to take on new insurance. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa/hipaa1/default.asp
   — RebeccaP