We are not COBRA. For specific contract details about your current company policy, contact your health plan administrator.
In Reply to: COBRA QUESTIONS!!NEED HELP!! posted by Danielle on February 24, 2003 at 07:48:33:
Danielle:
It sounds like your former employer is self administering the group health insurance, so yes, you could very well need to make out the check to them. I can understand your hesitation, since your previous employer may have used an outside or third party adminstrator, so the checks would not have gone to your employer, in that case.
Concerning the premium, $1000 does sound excess, even by todays figures. How much is it for just you? You don't have to add the baby until 30 days within birth. Even then, if the baby is healthy, consider getting health insruance speratley for him or her, and reduce the $654 per month. You should be able to get a good plan for around $99 per month.
Concerning the time frame, i think they are wrong about you enrolling, since you have 45 days to pay for the COBRA, and that's after the 60 days given to you to enroll. So unless your state law differs, they are about 91 days to early.
But you need to recognize if they are going to fast track your COBRA continuation coverage like that, you won't have to apply for reimbursement
of your covered medical expenses, which can be a real pain. Yes they are askign for $346 early, but they are saving you the major hassle of reimbursement. Have you ever dealt with an insurance carrier, tryign to get your money back? It's not pretty.
So there is a silver lining to all this, Danielle.
Please respond if you have further questions and keep us updated on your situation,
: Dear Craig,
: I have a few questions hopefully you can answer. I was working at a company for 9 months and was terminated February 14, 2003. My employer claims that if I wish to continue health care through Cobra I have to give her a check for $346 made out to my old employer. My healthcare coverage was Aetna US Healthcare. The last time I used Cobra, I didn't have to give my employer a check, so I don't understand why I have to now. Does that sound right to you? Secondly, I am five months pregnant, so my health insurance is very important to me. According to my former employer, coverage for the baby and I under Cobra would be over $1,000 a month. Does that sound right? I also feel very pressured by my former employer, because I am being told that I must bring the $346 check by Friday February 28, 2003 or I will lose my rights to Cobra. Is this true? I would greatly appreciate any help you can give and as soon as possible since I'm pressured for time. Thanks
: Yours truly,
: Danielle