Re: Continuation of Insurance

[Guest guest]

Geri,

Thank you sooo much for taking the time to read/write about Cobra insurance.

It was on my " to do " list...

(AIH)

[Guest guest]

Geri,

Thank you sooo much for taking the time to read/write about Cobra insurance.

It was on my " to do " list...

(AIH)

[Guest guest]

I've checked our insurance manual regarding continuation of medical coverage

for divorced persons. We have Prudential PPO under a policy issued in Texas

and there may be some variations from state to state.

Basically, Cobra allows a divorced spouse to continue coverage under Cobra.

This means that whether your husband likes it or not, you can be covered if

you want to be covered. I'd suggest contacting his insurance company for

exact details.

The advantage of Cobra coverage over other insurance you might have to get

independently is that group benefits are almost always better, higher, more

comprehensive, etc. But, depending on the employer, Cobra coverage can be

incredibly expensive. We've elected Cobra coverage twice over the years and

neither time was it unaffordable. One of those two times it was after my

husband had a heart attack, surgery for lung cancer, and back surgery, and I'd

had two surgeries, all within a two year period. We also were both over age

60. Despite all this our Cobra premiums were not very high.

Your husband's insurance may currently include the cost of life insurance,

disability pay, dental insurance and other benefits. Simple medical coverage

for one person should be considerably less costly if you don't take all of the

options. I believe you have the right to make this selection. I think that

you have 120 days to make the decision about whether or not you want Cobra

coverage. Your husband has no say in the matter. It's governed by federal

law. Our policy specifically states:

" Each of your Qualified Dependents has the right to continue insurance under

the health care expenses Coverages of the Group Contract if your insurance

under those Coverages would have ended: in the case of your spouse, when

your spouse ceased to be a Qualified Dependent as a result of divorce or legal

separation. Notice: This applies if your Dependents Insurance as a Qualified

Dependent would have ended due to an event shown above. If a person wants to

continue the insurance, written notice of the event must be given to the

Contract Holder within 60 days after the event shown above. "

In other words, it's up to you to notify the insurance company within 60 days

of your divorce that you want to continue medical coverage under Cobra.

Neither your husband or your husband's employer has any say in the matter.

My husband's plan, incidentally, says that coverage under Cobra cannot exceed

102% of what the employer is paying for group coverage. In other words, if

they are paying the insurance company $300.00 a month for your coverage, you

can't be charged more than 102% of that amount. I don't know if this is

governed by state law, federal law, or if this is just a provision in this

particular group plan. It might be worthwhile to ask your husband's employer

for a copy of Cobra regulations so you'll know your exact legal standing.

Something else to consider - there is a possibility that Cobra coverage can be

extended beyond the usual 18 months. But, if it comes down to it, you can also

get medical care through Medicaid and possibly also through Medicare. If I

were you, I'd check into both and not wait until (and if) you get really sick

if you aren't already extremely ill. Not so comforting is the fact that if

you're seriously ill, you can almost always get medical care, but who wants to

be in that position anyhow?

Hope this helps a little.

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

,

No problem about checking out Cobra insurance. Don't take my word for it

because I'm no expert, but it gives you a little insight. Taking on insurance

companies is one of my hobbies. I especially have a vendetta against HMOs.

Curious, considering that I have about six family members, including one of my

daughters, who work for Kaiser in Portland, and a son who works for Kaiser in

California. All in non-medical positions, incidentally.

Take care,

Geri