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Re: shortfalls in premium payments

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Posted by Craig (68.8.206.163) on July 08, 2003 at 16:34:03:

In Reply to: shortfalls in premium payments posted by Britt on July 07, 2003 at 10:48:01:

Britt:

I would say you still owe it because even thoguh they are supposed to notify you within 30 days of changes to the plan, they have the right to increase the premium twice per year and you would be paying a lower rate than all the other participants, which would be descriminatory.

Craig

: My COBRA coverage will terminate on 7/31/03 after 36 months (divorce). I discovered my insurance was cancelled while trying to fill a prescription about 10 days ago.
: After discussing the problem with a company representative, I was told I would be re-instated since all of my checks had been received and accepted on time. I never received notification of a rate increase for 2002, so I continued to pay the 2001 premium amounts believing this to be the correct sum. A few days later, the representative said I was short by $36 in each of my 2002 premium payments, and $72 short for January 2003 premium payment (paid in December 2002). Today I was told I would receive a letter detailing the problem and requiring me to pay over $500 within 30 days of the date of the letter.

: Some history: The company began to mail monthly statements in January of 2003, but I never received any statements or notification of shortfall. Prior to the January payment due date, I met with a Benefits representative regarding my conserns in not receiving any statements. I was told there was a problem in their database and someone else would have to investigate and fix the problem. I was never contacted and did not receive the next statement, so I returned to the Benefits Office to again voice my conserns. I was told to just keep making my payments on time and everything would be OK.

: My question: If the company accepted my on-time premium payments for all of 2002 and January 2003, even though I had an unknown shortfall, has the company accepted the payments in full? Do I still owe over $500? I'm an unemployed graduate student on a tight budget. Please advise.

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Subject: Re: Re: shortfalls in premium payments

Comments:
: Britt: : I would say you still owe it because even thoguh they are supposed to notify you within 30 days of changes to the plan, they have the right to increase the premium twice per year and you would be paying a lower rate than all the other participants, which would be descriminatory. : Craig : : My COBRA coverage will terminate on 7/31/03 after 36 months (divorce). I discovered my insurance was cancelled while trying to fill a prescription about 10 days ago. : : After discussing the problem with a company representative, I was told I would be re-instated since all of my checks had been received and accepted on time. I never received notification of a rate increase for 2002, so I continued to pay the 2001 premium amounts believing this to be the correct sum. A few days later, the representative said I was short by $36 in each of my 2002 premium payments, and $72 short for January 2003 premium payment (paid in December 2002). Today I was told I would receive a letter detailing the problem and requiring me to pay over $500 within 30 days of the date of the letter. : : Some history: The company began to mail monthly statements in January of 2003, but I never received any statements or notification of shortfall. Prior to the January payment due date, I met with a Benefits representative regarding my conserns in not receiving any statements. I was told there was a problem in their database and someone else would have to investigate and fix the problem. I was never contacted and did not receive the next statement, so I returned to the Benefits Office to again voice my conserns. I was told to just keep making my payments on time and everything would be OK. : : My question: If the company accepted my on-time premium payments for all of 2002 and January 2003, even though I had an unknown shortfall, has the company accepted the payments in full? Do I still owe over $500? I'm an unemployed graduate student on a tight budget. Please advise.

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