Thanks for your response. If I opt out of the cobra coverage,

• Once you give notice and quit working, how many days/weeks/months - sm
  • benefits after notice - CLK
    • Thanks for your response. If I opt out of the cobra coverage, - sm
      • this is my experience - NC Newbie
        • Your insurance benefits will be effective through the period of time you have paid them which...sm - Old MT

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I think it's great to see a thread discussing this subject. 

However, when it comes to "prejudice," it has always been with us, since the beginning of time.  It is a human problem, not a white American problem, as so many people seem to be saying.  Some of the most prejudiced people I have encountered in my few decades of life have been non-whites.  When I lived in Latin America, I learned that brown-skinned people discriminate each other based on how light their skin tone is - the lighter the skin, hair color and eye color, the more prestige they had.  Some of our U.S. African-American soldiers were called derogatory names by the Somalians when we were over there - a real eye opener for them.  They thought they were "going home" and then were assailed with hatred and expletives because of their dark skin.

We all need to guard against letting our attitudes harden our hearts towards other people.  It is a life-long process.  I recently realized that my financial concerns because of income loss from this job of MT - with losing jobs to overseas, the foreign-born dictators making it so hard to earn a decent line count - were hardening my heart towards immigrants.  I am in the process of reassessing my attitude and thoughts about that.  I don't want to turn into an angry, hateful, bitter old bigot. 

That is the one problem with own accounts.  After three days to Tahoe-Reno I came back to 14 tapes as no one wanted anyone else.  But am thinking of taking nearly a week off later this year and so I would like some coverage.  I used to work for a small local MTSO here as an IC and still keep in touch and I might see if there is someone there that wants to do an extra tape or two during the week I am gone.  Also see if there is a chapter of local AAMT in your area -- and I am not sure if it is the national AAMT but here in Portland there is a group of MT's and I got a list of names from them who will do back up and overflow.  I haven't joined but have talked to a few people there and we do some networking.  I have been doing this for so long in the Portland area that I continuously run into people that did either the OHSU account I did or worked for one of the offices previously, etc.  It is a small world.  That is also how I get my people contact.  Also run an ad in the paper well ahead of when you are going to leave.  But there is always the fear that they could "take away" your account but since most of the gals that have helped me out I used to work with -- I don't worry about that.  And you know how it is the first few days on the account -- you don't do that well so they are either ready to kill my docs since I am so used to them or the office says -- "don't ever leave again" because that person does things different that we all appreciate each other immensely when I get back.  But there are ways, just gotta put a little effort into it.  They don't need to do it all but I came back to 14 tapes and if I could have had half done, it would have been nice.  Good luck. 

My husband and I are on cobra right now.  For two of us with dental it's costing us $821 per month thru Aetna.

The payment's not that big on it, except when there's a mixup at the bank and they deduct one check twice with the same amount and same check number.  It just feels like the money mojo magnet is gone from my life this week!  LOL  Everything seems to go wrong all at once. 

I have five accounts and two I have IC's who work for them -- psych accounts no problem when I leave town.  But my other three, have asked that I have NO ONE work on the account but me and they hold the tapes and I do them when I come back as fast as I can and sometimes wishing I had not taken time off.   No they work with me but then I don't take off much time and when I do it is usually a couple of days and the weekend so we are all not stressed.   If I were to have surgery or something I have friends that would help out and the accounts realize that it would be necessary.  That is one of the drawbacks of having your own accounts.  No work --no money.   But it does make you appreciate your time off.

S/B able to get something reasonable.  If you're looking for family coverage it is doubtful you would find anything under $350.00/mo.  You might want to look into medical savings accounts.  You have to qualify for these and I'm not sure what the criteria is, but Google it.   If you are a non-smoker and have no pre-existing medical issues, aren't grossly overweight, and not planning a baby anytime soon, you might want to look at getting mainly a major medical plan that would cover you in event of hospitalization or something catastrophic, and just pay routine care out of pocket.

We currently have insurance through DH job, but when I was looking for independent coverage Celtic had the cheapest and then Medcost was the next cheapest.  I called several agencies and they all quoted me on Medcost, but the premiums varied as much as $200.00/mo.   BCBS has something caled Blue Advantage that you might want to look at.  I hate BCBS because they are such a pain to deal with and deny a large percentage of claims, but it might be an option. 

I turned in my notice on 6/28 and quit two weeks later.  I have received my last paycheck, reimbursement for PTO, a letter saying someone will be calling for an exit survey, and even my shipping labels to return my computer, etc. but have yet to receive any information about COBRA and I want to sign up!  It is now almost the end of the month and I'm worried that I have to get my money in by the first of the month.  Does anyone know?  I don't want to get stuck with a pre-existing condition problem.

Thanks!

I have been covered by COBRA since September 2007 with dental coverage.  I just received my new card today and I do not have dental, and my last dental appointment and treatment are not being paid.  Can they do this?  Drop coverage that I already have.  To top it off they are charging me $20.00 more a month. 

My husband is covered under AARP; however, I cannot get on his insurance even though I will be 50 in one month due to being overweight.  They say I have to lose at least 70 pounds. 

Does anyone know of an insurance company that would insure me for less than what I am paying COBRA?

I have offered just coverage for vacations, etc. and have networked that way, but I know that is tough when you are full-time from home and not in a medical type setting.  I think it is a shame that more do not frequent the State Boards here.  I like hearing everyone's opinions, but if the State Boards were frequented more, I think we could all really network a little more.  I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine type of thing.  Most people do not like to do that because they are afraid you will take their account, but I believe in being trusting, and that is bad karma!  JMO.

Divorce is considered a "qualifying event" and would entitle you to 18 months (or 36 months in certain cases) of coverage through COBRA where you would pay the premium.  You can make an inquiry to the human resources department at his employer if there are children involved and the rate is the same for him to cover himself, the kids and you, and in that event, you would continue to have coverage without invoking COBRA.  The best thing is to read the policy and direct any questions to HR.

good luck

   The following speaks of my personal experience with Cobra - Insurance premiums out-of-pocket for any reason are an expensive undertaking (they are also tax deductible if you meet deduction requirements).  I was appreciative of having the option of Cobra because of my personal circumstances.  If you are considering going without health insurance for any amount of time, I would suggest that you may be gambling with more than your health.  One emergency surgery or health crisis not covered can cost you everything - I know because it happened to me.  Hospitals and physicians are bound by no debt code - they will sue you and take your home, business, car, pots, pans and the shirt off your back if they can redeem a penny for it.  They are not required to accept a payment plan.  My hospital told me that an indefinite payment offered by me to start of $100 every 2 weeks to start was not worth their time and effort.  A bit of trivia - I was employed by this same hospital for 10+ years.

COBRA guidelines are set by the Fed - all rules must be followed to the letter by all parties.  My premium was 120% of what my original premium while employed with the company was.  I went the entire 18 months during which my premium was raised once - without warning - if you fail to pay the premium exact to the penny, by the exact postmarked indicated date, you are terminated from the plan.  I was nearly terminated with the premium increase which arrived in a separate envelope along with the premium notice.  There are no exceptions to the rules governing Cobra - this works sometimes in your favor and sometimes in the ex-employer's favor.   After the first premium increase, I called 1 time each month on the same day and asked if there was a premium increase -  the point being don't take anything at face value when dealing with this issue.

        These guidelines also direct what happens when your Cobra involvement ends or if you terminate it before the 18 months are finished - there are also exclusions which may make the amount of Cobra coverage available longer than 18 months.  The day your Cobra ends, you have a set number of days to get involved with another plan - if you choose Cobra, make sure someone explains what happens when the plan ends, and if you are told "nothing" or "you are on your own," ask someone else who knows that they are talking about.

      If you choose Cobra, you need to speak to whomever administers the plan - some companies hire a third party, others do not.  Make sure you get all the facts.  

      There are obvious negatives but one thing is an absolute positive, if you meet all the guidelines each month and pay the correct premium on time, you will have continuation of your health coverage and time to plan for the future.  My research led me to understand that I might find a cheaper interim plan, but I might just as easily lose that plan for any number of reasons, leaving me high and dry.  I personally could not risk this.  I saw an earlier comment about not letting coverage lapse and preexisting conditions - If there is a plan anywhere which does not have a preexisting clause of some type for every new enrollee, I would be very surprised.  I talked to about 14 carriers over 6 months.  Not having a lapse in coverage or not exceeding the cushion of days provided by Cobra between policies is most beneficial, I feel, when you are applying for new coverage on your own - Companies are much more receptive to someone who has existing coverage as opposed to someone without, for obvious reasons.  However, this varies from ins co to ins so and you need to do your homework.

    One last thing, I cannot speak for every state, but I called our State Insurance Commish - wonderful lady whose staff went way out of the way to make sure I was fully clear on what my Cobra rights were. These people were totally on my side! I highly recommend this phone call to anyone trying to get health insurance.  The state is not allowed to recommend an insurance co; however, they do have ratings and data that you may find very helpful in choosing coverage.

I spent many, many hours learning about and personally experiencing this process - I hope you find something helpful here.  Whatever happens, I wish you the best of luck! 

I just started a new MT job and will get health insurance when my benefits quick in.  I want to put my husband on my insurance.  My question is- he has spina bifida and I am concerned that the insurance company will deny him coverage.  Can they do that?

Thanks