Calling all COBRA & Pre-Existing Conditions experts

[Alyssa]

Ok, we have a situation (with one child) with coverage ending 8/9 and new coverage starting 10/01. We can COBRA at $320 per month for the two months just to make sure everything is covered. I know I can pay the $640 for the two months and there would not be any question about coverage and/or a lapse of coverage. BUT... I think we have 60 days to wait things out before "catching up" our COBRA payment (if something happened and she needed care during that time) and we would also be under the 63 day thing for time allowed between policies so no pre-existing stuff comes into play.

I'm toying with the idea of waiting it out and <b>not </b>paying in between (why shell out $640 if she doesn't even see a doctor or order any meds), just starting the new coverage on Oct 1. She has enough meds to carry through & shouldn't need to see a doctor either during that period (and if she does I can pay the COBRA and all will be well).

So... experts... do I have my facts correct:

1) if I let it lapse and don't pay the COBRA she won't lapse for more than 63 days so we don't have to worry about the new policy holding her our for pre-existing conditions)
2) I have the option of choosing to pay COBRA at any time during the 60 days after 8/9. (8/9 + 60 days would be past the 10/01 start date of new insurance) so we can wait and see what happens. No doctor or hospital needed, no need to pay for 2 months ins coverage?

What do you think?

 

[Alyssa]

Ok, we have a situation (with one child) with coverage ending 8/9 and new coverage starting 10/01. We can COBRA at $320 per month for the two months just to make sure everything is covered. I know I can pay the $640 for the two months and there would not be any question about coverage and/or a lapse of coverage. BUT... I think we have 60 days to wait things out before "catching up" our COBRA payment (if something happened and she needed care during that time) and we would also be under the 63 day thing for time allowed between policies so no pre-existing stuff comes into play.

I'm toying with the idea of waiting it out and <b>not </b>paying in between (why shell out $640 if she doesn't even see a doctor or order any meds), just starting the new coverage on Oct 1. She has enough meds to carry through & shouldn't need to see a doctor either during that period (and if she does I can pay the COBRA and all will be well).

So... experts... do I have my facts correct:

1) if I let it lapse and don't pay the COBRA she won't lapse for more than 63 days so we don't have to worry about the new policy holding her our for pre-existing conditions)
2) I have the option of choosing to pay COBRA at any time during the 60 days after 8/9. (8/9 + 60 days would be past the 10/01 start date of new insurance) so we can wait and see what happens. No doctor or hospital needed, no need to pay for 2 months ins coverage?

What do you think?

 

[Alyssa]

Ok, we have a situation (with one child) with coverage ending 8/9 and new coverage starting 10/01. We can COBRA at $320 per month for the two months just to make sure everything is covered. I know I can pay the $640 for the two months and there would not be any question about coverage and/or a lapse of coverage. BUT... I think we have 60 days to wait things out before "catching up" our COBRA payment (if something happened and she needed care during that time) and we would also be under the 63 day thing for time allowed between policies so no pre-existing stuff comes into play.

I'm toying with the idea of waiting it out and <b>not </b>paying in between (why shell out $640 if she doesn't even see a doctor or order any meds), just starting the new coverage on Oct 1. She has enough meds to carry through & shouldn't need to see a doctor either during that period (and if she does I can pay the COBRA and all will be well).

So... experts... do I have my facts correct:

1) if I let it lapse and don't pay the COBRA she won't lapse for more than 63 days so we don't have to worry about the new policy holding her our for pre-existing conditions)
2) I have the option of choosing to pay COBRA at any time during the 60 days after 8/9. (8/9 + 60 days would be past the 10/01 start date of new insurance) so we can wait and see what happens. No doctor or hospital needed, no need to pay for 2 months ins coverage?

What do you think?

 

[Alyssa]

Ok, we have a situation (with one child) with coverage ending 8/9 and new coverage starting 10/01. We can COBRA at $320 per month for the two months just to make sure everything is covered. I know I can pay the $640 for the two months and there would not be any question about coverage and/or a lapse of coverage. BUT... I think we have 60 days to wait things out before "catching up" our COBRA payment (if something happened and she needed care during that time) and we would also be under the 63 day thing for time allowed between policies so no pre-existing stuff comes into play.

I'm toying with the idea of waiting it out and <b>not </b>paying in between (why shell out $640 if she doesn't even see a doctor or order any meds), just starting the new coverage on Oct 1. She has enough meds to carry through & shouldn't need to see a doctor either during that period (and if she does I can pay the COBRA and all will be well).

So... experts... do I have my facts correct:

1) if I let it lapse and don't pay the COBRA she won't lapse for more than 63 days so we don't have to worry about the new policy holding her our for pre-existing conditions)
2) I have the option of choosing to pay COBRA at any time during the 60 days after 8/9. (8/9 + 60 days would be past the 10/01 start date of new insurance) so we can wait and see what happens. No doctor or hospital needed, no need to pay for 2 months ins coverage?

What do you think?

 

[Alyssa]

Ok, we have a situation (with one child) with coverage ending 8/9 and new coverage starting 10/01. We can COBRA at $320 per month for the two months just to make sure everything is covered. I know I can pay the $640 for the two months and there would not be any question about coverage and/or a lapse of coverage. BUT... I think we have 60 days to wait things out before "catching up" our COBRA payment (if something happened and she needed care during that time) and we would also be under the 63 day thing for time allowed between policies so no pre-existing stuff comes into play.

I'm toying with the idea of waiting it out and <b>not </b>paying in between (why shell out $640 if she doesn't even see a doctor or order any meds), just starting the new coverage on Oct 1. She has enough meds to carry through & shouldn't need to see a doctor either during that period (and if she does I can pay the COBRA and all will be well).

So... experts... do I have my facts correct:

1) if I let it lapse and don't pay the COBRA she won't lapse for more than 63 days so we don't have to worry about the new policy holding her our for pre-existing conditions)
2) I have the option of choosing to pay COBRA at any time during the 60 days after 8/9. (8/9 + 60 days would be past the 10/01 start date of new insurance) so we can wait and see what happens. No doctor or hospital needed, no need to pay for 2 months ins coverage?

What do you think?

 

[hbollotte]

Calling all COBRA experts

i'm not an expert, but i paid for cobra for four months at $365 per month and didn't use my insurance once. oh well. i wish cobra was cheaper <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[hbollotte]

Calling all COBRA experts

i'm not an expert, but i paid for cobra for four months at $365 per month and didn't use my insurance once. oh well. i wish cobra was cheaper <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[hbollotte]

Calling all COBRA experts

i'm not an expert, but i paid for cobra for four months at $365 per month and didn't use my insurance once. oh well. i wish cobra was cheaper <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[hbollotte]

Calling all COBRA experts

i'm not an expert, but i paid for cobra for four months at $365 per month and didn't use my insurance once. oh well. i wish cobra was cheaper <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[hbollotte]

Calling all COBRA experts

i'm not an expert, but i paid for cobra for four months at $365 per month and didn't use my insurance once. oh well. i wish cobra was cheaper <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Alyssa]

Calling all COBRA experts

Exactly what I'm trying to avoid. She would only lapse by 53 days so I think we are safe on both accounts ~ can pay it if something does happen, and have not gone without coverage for more than 63 for pre-existing clause to come into effect.

But I would sure like to hear from others that I have my facts correct before risking it and making a mistake

 

[Alyssa]

Calling all COBRA experts

Exactly what I'm trying to avoid. She would only lapse by 53 days so I think we are safe on both accounts ~ can pay it if something does happen, and have not gone without coverage for more than 63 for pre-existing clause to come into effect.

But I would sure like to hear from others that I have my facts correct before risking it and making a mistake

 

[Alyssa]

Calling all COBRA experts

Exactly what I'm trying to avoid. She would only lapse by 53 days so I think we are safe on both accounts ~ can pay it if something does happen, and have not gone without coverage for more than 63 for pre-existing clause to come into effect.

But I would sure like to hear from others that I have my facts correct before risking it and making a mistake

 

[Alyssa]

Calling all COBRA experts

Exactly what I'm trying to avoid. She would only lapse by 53 days so I think we are safe on both accounts ~ can pay it if something does happen, and have not gone without coverage for more than 63 for pre-existing clause to come into effect.

But I would sure like to hear from others that I have my facts correct before risking it and making a mistake

 

[Alyssa]

Calling all COBRA experts

Exactly what I'm trying to avoid. She would only lapse by 53 days so I think we are safe on both accounts ~ can pay it if something does happen, and have not gone without coverage for more than 63 for pre-existing clause to come into effect.

But I would sure like to hear from others that I have my facts correct before risking it and making a mistake

 

[coltsfan715]

Calling all COBRA experts

I am not sure what kind of insurance you will be getting on 10/1 but I would double triple and quadruple check with them about their policy on lapse in coverage. I say that because I know of several friends that have had to change insurance companies and they had to keep their lapse in coverage to less than 30 days.

So yeah I would just double and triple check to make sure that it is okay for you to have a lapse in coverage for 60 days and not less. I would just hate to see you think it was 60 days and it really be 30 and then you have no insurance for your little one.

Otherwise I guess it is up to you as to whether or not you get the Cobra. Just make sure everything with meds are in line to cover you through the 2 months if the 60 days is not an issue. Though it seems like you already have that worked out.

Take Care and Good Luck,
Lindsey

 

[coltsfan715]

Calling all COBRA experts

I am not sure what kind of insurance you will be getting on 10/1 but I would double triple and quadruple check with them about their policy on lapse in coverage. I say that because I know of several friends that have had to change insurance companies and they had to keep their lapse in coverage to less than 30 days.

So yeah I would just double and triple check to make sure that it is okay for you to have a lapse in coverage for 60 days and not less. I would just hate to see you think it was 60 days and it really be 30 and then you have no insurance for your little one.

Otherwise I guess it is up to you as to whether or not you get the Cobra. Just make sure everything with meds are in line to cover you through the 2 months if the 60 days is not an issue. Though it seems like you already have that worked out.

Take Care and Good Luck,
Lindsey

 

[coltsfan715]

Calling all COBRA experts

I am not sure what kind of insurance you will be getting on 10/1 but I would double triple and quadruple check with them about their policy on lapse in coverage. I say that because I know of several friends that have had to change insurance companies and they had to keep their lapse in coverage to less than 30 days.

So yeah I would just double and triple check to make sure that it is okay for you to have a lapse in coverage for 60 days and not less. I would just hate to see you think it was 60 days and it really be 30 and then you have no insurance for your little one.

Otherwise I guess it is up to you as to whether or not you get the Cobra. Just make sure everything with meds are in line to cover you through the 2 months if the 60 days is not an issue. Though it seems like you already have that worked out.

Take Care and Good Luck,
Lindsey

 

[coltsfan715]

Calling all COBRA experts

I am not sure what kind of insurance you will be getting on 10/1 but I would double triple and quadruple check with them about their policy on lapse in coverage. I say that because I know of several friends that have had to change insurance companies and they had to keep their lapse in coverage to less than 30 days.

So yeah I would just double and triple check to make sure that it is okay for you to have a lapse in coverage for 60 days and not less. I would just hate to see you think it was 60 days and it really be 30 and then you have no insurance for your little one.

Otherwise I guess it is up to you as to whether or not you get the Cobra. Just make sure everything with meds are in line to cover you through the 2 months if the 60 days is not an issue. Though it seems like you already have that worked out.

Take Care and Good Luck,
Lindsey

 

[coltsfan715]

Calling all COBRA experts

I am not sure what kind of insurance you will be getting on 10/1 but I would double triple and quadruple check with them about their policy on lapse in coverage. I say that because I know of several friends that have had to change insurance companies and they had to keep their lapse in coverage to less than 30 days.

So yeah I would just double and triple check to make sure that it is okay for you to have a lapse in coverage for 60 days and not less. I would just hate to see you think it was 60 days and it really be 30 and then you have no insurance for your little one.

Otherwise I guess it is up to you as to whether or not you get the Cobra. Just make sure everything with meds are in line to cover you through the 2 months if the 60 days is not an issue. Though it seems like you already have that worked out.

Take Care and Good Luck,
Lindsey