COBRA Health plan Advice for Individuals and Small Businesses

Cobra Health Message Board

We are not COBRA. For specific contract details about your current company policy, contact your health plan administrator.

Re: Misinformed by Cobra employees caused me to be denied my insurance

[ Private Medical Insurance ][ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Cobra Health Message Board ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Fred on January 06, 2010 at 19:51:43:

In Reply to: Misinformed by Cobra employees caused me to be denied my insurance posted by Monica Griffin on June 17, 2009 at 20:37:36:

Monica

That is a cautionary tale. Enroll in COBRA first, ask questions after you're enrolled, esp. if you need to stay covered.

H. R. 3326-64 Sec. 1010. (C)
(16)(D)(ii) To Individuals Who Lost Assistance.In the case of an assistance eligible individual described in subparagraph (A)(i) who did not timely pay the premium for any period of coverage during such individual's transition period or paid the premium for such period without regard to paragraph (1)(A), the administrator of the group health plan (or other entity) involved shall provide to such individual, within the first 60 days of such individual's transition period, an additional notification with information regarding the amendments made by section 1010 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010, including information on the ability under subparagraph (A) to make retroactive premium payments with respect to the transition period of the individual in order to maintain COBRA continuation coverage.

So the question is, did the administrator of the group health plan provide notification about making retroactive premium payments within 60 days of you losing your coverage, your "transition period?"

Fred

: I was informed by a cobra employee that when I recieved the final letter for my insurance, it would state that I had 60 days to have it post marked, but there is actually a 30 day grace period on top of it. I had recieved the initial packet without teh final stimulus price, but I asked her if I could send $500 and the initial paperwork then to get it started. I was told no I had to wait on the second packet. When I recieved the 2nd packet I called THE SAME # and confirmed that I would actually have 90 days because of the 30 day grace period. She said yes and when it kicked back in Ialso always have a 30 day grace period for payments. I no longer had the $500 considering that I have health problems and my medcations alone is way more than that each month not considering the Dr bills I now have accumulating. I called back a 3rd time to make sure that I did not have to send all of the $ to cover the back paying months, but could send half that week with the paperwork and the other half the following week. This was 2 weeks before the 60 days. I confirmed again that I had until 7/9/2009 (letter date 4/9/2009) she confirmed that for the 3rd time. I recieved a letter with my money order stating that it had to be there by 6/9/2009 and they did not open it in the office until 6/11. I called them back and spoke with a girl named heather and explained what I was told and she told me too bad there was nothing I could do. I am seeking legal counsel that is costing me nothing, but I would rather not have to push it too far with this. Any advice?

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject: Re: Re: Misinformed by Cobra employees caused me to be denied my insurance

Comments:
: Monica : That is a cautionary tale. Enroll in COBRA first, ask questions after you're enrolled, esp. if you need to stay covered. : H. R. 3326-64 Sec. 1010. (C) : (16)(D)(ii) To Individuals Who Lost Assistance.In the case of an assistance eligible individual described in subparagraph (A)(i) who did not timely pay the premium for any period of coverage during such individual's transition period or paid the premium for such period without regard to paragraph (1)(A), the administrator of the group health plan (or other entity) involved shall provide to such individual, within the first 60 days of such individual's transition period, an additional notification with information regarding the amendments made by section 1010 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010, including information on the ability under subparagraph (A) to make retroactive premium payments with respect to the transition period of the individual in order to maintain COBRA continuation coverage. : So the question is, did the administrator of the group health plan provide notification about making retroactive premium payments within 60 days of you losing your coverage, your "transition period?" : : Fred : : I was informed by a cobra employee that when I recieved the final letter for my insurance, it would state that I had 60 days to have it post marked, but there is actually a 30 day grace period on top of it. I had recieved the initial packet without teh final stimulus price, but I asked her if I could send $500 and the initial paperwork then to get it started. I was told no I had to wait on the second packet. When I recieved the 2nd packet I called THE SAME # and confirmed that I would actually have 90 days because of the 30 day grace period. She said yes and when it kicked back in Ialso always have a 30 day grace period for payments. I no longer had the $500 considering that I have health problems and my medcations alone is way more than that each month not considering the Dr bills I now have accumulating. I called back a 3rd time to make sure that I did not have to send all of the $ to cover the back paying months, but could send half that week with the paperwork and the other half the following week. This was 2 weeks before the 60 days. I confirmed again that I had until 7/9/2009 (letter date 4/9/2009) she confirmed that for the 3rd time. I recieved a letter with my money order stating that it had to be there by 6/9/2009 and they did not open it in the office until 6/11. I called them back and spoke with a girl named heather and explained what I was told and she told me too bad there was nothing I could do. I am seeking legal counsel that is costing me nothing, but I would rather not have to push it too far with this. Any advice?

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

Please enter the characters in the image above.

[ Private Medical Insurance ][ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Cobra Health Message Board ] [ FAQ ]