Re: Re: Re: no COBRA notification

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: no COBRA notification

Comments:
: Glenna : : Because COBRA is seamless, they will want you to pay all the back premiums. You could raise a stink about the lack of notice for 6 months, but they have corrected their error, if they are allowing you to elect. Especially if he needs ongoing medical attention-- when would you not have a claim? And are they going to give you health coverage without requiring you to at least pay the premiums? Contact your health plan administrator directly, maybe they will make an adjustment, since you do have some leverage over the late notice. But do it quick, and don't get canceled! : : <a href="http://www.deferred.com/cobracoverage.htm">Health Insurance Quotes Online</a> : : Sincerely, : : Joe : : : : Thank you. I guess I should have put--"no COBRA notification for 6 months". It has not been seamless. He did finally get a notice on 7/30, dated 7/26/10--with billing start date of 2/1/10. He has to decide by 9/23/10. I just object to paying premiums back to Feb. 1 (that's $3759) when his bills were covered by Cigna thru May anyway. And I don't want all the bills reprocessed because the self-pay is often less than the 80/20 plan we have. Are exceptions ever made? How do "total out-of-pocket" costs figure in here? Ours is $500/person or $1500/family. I think we have to elect COBRA, because he needs ongoing medical attention--but I'm trying to figure out the best route financially for us. Somehow, it seems like we're getting ripped off--that's why I'm asking about the clause in the SAMPLE notice on this site. His notice does say he can decide one way (reject) and change his mind (elect) before the election date (9/23), but it does not mention that the start date will change from the orig. (2/1/10) to the date the election form is returned. That's what I need to have clarified : : : : : Glenna : : : : : : COBRA is seamless continuation coverage. If CIGNA had the election date 90 days after the qualifying event, that means they sent the notification late. How were they able to send you a certificate of coverage when you got no notice to send in? They cannot elect for you on verbally, you have to elect in writing. : : : : : : <a href="http://www.deferred.com/cobracoverage.htm">Disadvantages of COBRA</a> : : : : : : Joe : : : : : : : : : : : : : On 6/15/10, our son went to refill Rxs and was charged full price. Pharmacist called Cigna Intl. Expat. Ins. and was told his coverage ended 6/4/10, probably because he turned 25 on 1/22/10. We called Cigna, they said they assumed he would be "grandfathered in" until 9/23/10. (But employer is under ERISA.) He then received certificate from Cigna on 6/18/10, dated 6/8/10 stating coverage end date as 3/1/10. Surprising because he received EOBs and filled Rxs through 5/31/10. Father (employee) emailed benefits dept. on 6/19/10 and asked about COBRA notification. After many unanswered emails and phone messages, COBRA notice arrived 7/30/10. Dated 7/26/10, the notice says premium billing date is 2/1/10 at $537/mo. and election date is 9/23/10 (how strange!). That would be $3759 in back premiums to date if he elects, right? And if he doesn't elect, the EOBs and Rxs will be reprocessed and we will owe more for those, right? Meanwhile we have spent more than $4500 on his medical tests, Rxs, etc., since 5/31/10. Don't know which way to go now. Your SAMPLE notice includes--If you do not submit a completed Election Form by the due date shown above, you will lose your right to elect COBRA continuation coverage. If you reject COBRA continuation coverage before the due date, you may change your mind as long as you furnish a completed Election Form before the due date. However, if you change your mind after first rejecting COBRA continuation coverage, your COBRA continuation coverage will begin on the date you furnish the completed Election Form. Would he be able to do this and save the $3759? This is a huge mess. It appears that the employer let him lapse and dragged their feet because of his medical costs. The lack of response about COBRA from 6/19-7/26/10 (when we repeatedly asked) is not explained. I guess if they admit the mess, then they open themselves up to a lawsuit? It's all very confusing. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you. : : : : : :

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