Health insurance question

[Guest guest]

Hey folks,  I've got a big decision concerning my health insurance, and I'm

hoping for advice.

I am 26 and generally very healthy, although I do have CMT Type 2.  I

am a graduate student and have had great insurance through the

University where I was employed as a teaching assistant.  This year I

left my job at the university to travel to New Zealand and do some

research.  While I'm here I only have travel insurance since my visa

status qualifies me for New Zealand's national healthcare plan. 

I wasn't planning on continuing any COBRA of my previous insurance, but

the papers just arrived today and once I read them I started to have

second thoughts.  The cost is quite high ($325/month), but I could pay

for it if I absolutely had to.  It would just be a squeeze.  I won't

really have any coverage while I'm in NZ anyway, because my plan only

covered care within the US.  BUT my concern is that if I don't COBRA I

could have trouble getting insurance later because of CMT as a

pre-existing condition.

Help!  Any advice?  I plan to return to employment at the university

next year, but if I don't COBRA I'm afraid that I could lose access to

their insurance plan.  I don't know what to do!

Becky