I recently left my job for another one. My new insurance will not begin until 10-1-11. I have asthma, will this be considered a pre existing condition that i can be denied for if i do not purchase COBRA ? , Thank you caring. Julie

Julie:

Thank you for contacting us. A group plan, like one you have through your job, cannot refuse to cover you or decide to charge you more if you have a pre-existing condition. In some cases, a group plan can make you wait before it will cover care for a pre-existing condition. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act allows a pre-existing condition to be covered without a waiting period when you join a new group plan if you have been insured the previous 12 months. This means that if you remain insured for 12 months or more, you will be able to go from one job to another, and your pre-existing condition will be covered—without additional waiting periods—even if you have a chronic illness.

I was terminted got my COBRA notice in the mail. The good news is I already have a new job with health insurance, but pre-exsiting conditions are limited for 6 months. Can I keep cobra and the new health insurance plan?

if the new plan substantially limits you, you might keep COBRA but most consumers are in no position to do so. Do you have chronic medical issues?