Question re: insurance and being laid off

So I've been told by a ton of people that my old co. cannot cancel my insurance as of midnight last night. They all say that it's illegal, that insurance co's will not cancel it that day, that I am paid up through the month or at least way through the month, and they can't just pull the rug out from under me like this - they can't just leave you high and dry with no insurance. Someone told me that I probably paid up until the 15th or so, and because insurance co's require 30 days notice or something like that, the co. will have to pay for the rest of the month, so they will tell people who are laid off that it's over immediately.

Anyone know for sure? How would I find out? Can I call the insurance co? Can I find info online somewhere?

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Posted by JBoothIn2008

So I've been told by a ton of people that my old co. cannot cancel my insurance as of midnight last night. They all say that it's illegal, that insurance co's will not cancel it that day, that I am paid up through the month or at least way through the month, and they can't just pull the rug out from under me like this - they can't just leave you high and dry with no insurance. Someone told me that I probably paid up until the 15th or so, and because insurance co's require 30 days notice or something like that, the co. will have to pay for the rest of the month, so they will tell people who are laid off that it's over immediately.

Anyone know for sure? How would I find out? Can I call the insurance co? Can I find info online somewhere?

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When I was laid off from my job as a computer programmer for a savings bank, I was eligible for COBRA. Basically, it is the same insurance that I had...only thing is that I had to pay the premium.

I don't know if all companies have to offer COBRA.

Perhaps you should ask your HR department.

HTH

Check with your company. Usually it is paid the month in advance so you should be paid up for the month. But it all depends on how your company makes the payments.

When I left my last job, I had to pay them the difference to keep it through the end of the month.

They also have to offer you COBRA options. Which is really expensive but maybe something you want to consider.

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Posted by DeeDee1013

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Posted by JBoothIn2008

So I've been told by a ton of people that my old co. cannot cancel my insurance as of midnight last night. They all say that it's illegal, that insurance co's will not cancel it that day, that I am paid up through the month or at least way through the month, and they can't just pull the rug out from under me like this - they can't just leave you high and dry with no insurance. Someone told me that I probably paid up until the 15th or so, and because insurance co's require 30 days notice or something like that, the co. will have to pay for the rest of the month, so they will tell people who are laid off that it's over immediately.

Anyone know for sure? How would I find out? Can I call the insurance co? Can I find info online somewhere?

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When I was laid off from my job as a computer programmer for a savings bank, I was eligible for COBRA. Basically, it is the same insurance that I had...only thing is that I had to pay the premium.

I don't know if all companies have to offer COBRA.

Perhaps you should ask your HR department.

HTH

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I was just going to say this. I don't know the legalities of suspending your health benefits, but you should be eligible for COBRA. I actually got something about this from my provider when I added my husband. I think Denise went through this too when she left her job...maybe she can tell you better. Good luck!

Yeah, they offered me cobra, but it's $300 a month for the cheapest option of my plan - the one I have now, a sort of middle-of-the-road one, is $497. JUST FOR ME.

I might get cobra for next month, but if I am covered until the end of this month, I won't get it right away, you know? I'm also looking into a part time job with benefits, but I have to weigh how much I will make vs. how much I would get on unemployment (and paying for cobra) - it might make more sense for me to stay on unemployment for a little, you know?

I just want to know if I can get a test one of my doc's asked me to get - I tried to get it yesterday but I had no time. The co. said that if I go to the doc today, tomorrow, etc, the insurance will still come up as valid so I will just have to pay a copay, but once the 'feed' goes through to the insurance co, they will realize that the visit i had on 1/9 wasn't covered so they will alert the doc and then the doc will bill me. This might be their way of discouraging me from going after last night, not sure ... it sounds logical but if they cannot cancel my ins in one day legally, then it's bull****.

when i got laid off they said the same thing...the insurance supposedly ended that day.

but i also thought they couldnt do that because of what people have posted...and the fact that payment for insurance is deducted from your paycheck.

i never followed through to find out...i was too busy with wedding stuff, didnt have to go to the dr and was going to switch to dh's. but if u find out definately post on here cuz im curious!

i was told u can hold off on paying for cobra until u really need to use health insurance. i think u have a certain amount of days to sign up...and its retroactive.

can u switch to dh's insurance?

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Posted by snowcutie82

when i got laid off they said the same thing...the insurance supposedly ended that day.

but i also thought they couldnt do that because of what people have posted...and the fact that payment for insurance is deducted from your paycheck.

i never followed through to find out...i was too busy with wedding stuff, didnt have to go to the dr and was going to switch to dh's. but if u find out definately post on here cuz im curious!

i was told u can hold off on paying for cobra until u really need to use health insurance. i think u have a certain amount of days to sign up...and its retroactive.

can u switch to dh's insurance?

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Can't switch to dh's ins -- he doesn't have any. he works for an auto body shop - usually they don't offer it.

I have done benefits adminstration so I have your answer.

A company can cancel your policy on any day of the month. HOWEVER, they still have to pay the carrier for your full month of benefits, but legally they can cancel it any time. Usually the nice thing to do is keep you on because they are paying for it but some companies are dumb and dont do that! As for COBRA - you can pick it up and your benefits will be reinstated right away, so there will be no break in insurance. Hope that makes sense. If not FM me.

Also there are cheaper options for benefits - like healthy NY - its like $100-150 a month and you have to prove you make under a certain amount of $$ so you may need to wait for a few unemployment checks to come in and for severance to be over. I would take a basic COBRA plan for now. Its really important to have benefits and god forbid you have any major ilnesses you can get screwed if you have a break in insurance.

DH got laid off right after our wedding. Our wedding was Sept. 6. We were on our HM until the 18th. His (former) boss told him he is covered until the end of the month. So we started the application process to put him on my health insurance. Thank god we are married. My insurance company requested a letter from DH's insurance company stating the coverage dates. We found out from his health insurance that he was only covered till Sept. 14 while we were on our HM. I guess his boss figured out that he doesn't have to pay for the entire month. DH got dropped mid-month. So, you might not have coverage till the end of Jan. The only way to find out for sure is to call your insurance company.

Thanks girls -- my mom works in the medical industry and her biller said there is a NYS state law that says they have to keep you insured for 30 days? And I'm paid up for that, so if that's not the case, I better get that money back. My mom called (saying I had an appt in her office and she was checking coverage) and the person she spoke to said I was covered until the end of the month ... but we are going to call the NYS insurance board today.

Thanks!

Your insurance should last as long as you are being paid. So if you are paid through the end of the month, your coverage should last that long. They do not leave you without coverage - they will offer you COBRA coverage which is super expensive. It is the exact same coverage you have now the only difference is that you have to pay for all of it as opposed to the portion you normally pay as an employee.

Personally, I will never take COBRA again - it's just too expensive. Look into HealthyNY, it is a fraction of the cost for excellent coverage. I never had any problems using my insurance when I was on it and at the time I saw a lot of specialists and had to have a number of tests done.

FM me if you have questions.