Insurance?

I realize that I am probably not posting this in the right forum, but I do have insurance concerns right now.

I am covered on my husband's insurance. The insurance has approved my surgery for 12/18. Well, my husband found out on 11/5 that the company that he works for was sold. And, he is possibly out of a job. And, even if he is not out of a job, the new owners do not have a good reputation in the industry that he is in. Most of the other employees that work with my husband have already sought employment someplace else. My husband is also seeking a new job.

Good news is, my husband has an interview tomorrow with another employer. Bad news is, I'm scheduled for surgery 12/18. What will that do to our insurance? I realize that there is COBRA, and I know that COBRA is extremely expensive. I am so afraid that the Dr. wont do my surgery if we have COBRA. Or that COBRA wont approve the surgery. I am really upset about all this right now...

I can't ask my husband to wait until the surgery and recovery is all said and done, as this job opening might not be around by then. And, by then, who knows - he might not have a job if left work for the new owner of his company...

Really freaking out about all this now....

I am sorry about your DH's job issues but glad he has an interview! With all we have been going through with DH's job and insurance, my goes out to you!

You should know that COBRA is not a new insurance policy or plan so nothing will change and your doctor won't even know anything about it. COBRA stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. It is simply a way to continue your insurance policy if you have a change in employment. The catch is that you are on the hook for 100% of the premium since the employer no longer pays, but you are still covered by the same policy.

Here is a link with more info: http://www.cobrainsurance.com/COBRA_Law.htm

Oh - thank you Weiser!!! I do feel a little better now!!! Not so much about having to pay out the COBRA, but at least I will still have my insurance and it should change nothing with my doctor.

I guess in the long run... the COBRA payout should be cheaper than the surgery!!! I hope!!! Suddenly - I look at my checkbook and all I see is dollar signs flying out of it!!!

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Originally Posted by 123shelby Oh - thank you Weiser!!! I do feel a little better now!!!

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I guess in the long run... the COBRA payout should be cheaper than the surgery!!!

Absolutely! It can also help transition to a new policy easier if your DH gets a new job soon. If the cost becomes too much, you could reassess once you have healed from your surgery as there are some options, and those options are better if you have not had a lapse in policy of any kind.

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Suddenly - I look at my checkbook and all I see is dollar signs flying out of it!!!

Tell me about! in there!

I do so much appreciate the info!!! Whew...

And thanks for the chuckle at the end!!! I needed that!!

Even though COBRA can be expensive at least you have that option. You also can cancel it once you have your surgery and are through your recovery if you need to. Most companies offer insurance as soon as you start (except mine) so even if he gets a new job you could be all set. You also don't know yet for sure that you will need to do that. Good Luck I am sure it will work out. HUGS!!

When he gets a job offer, if the start date is before your surgery, it would be totally appropriate for your DH to tell the recruiter that you're scheduled for a surgery (without specifying what it's for, none of their biz.), and he needs to sort out how transitioning insurance from one plan to another will work. Some companies have pre-existing conditions clauses, others don't. It all depends on the insurance policy. So, no telling what the answer will be, but finding the answer shouldn't be a big deal once he has the offer.

Thank you all for this info..... I feel a lot better knowing I'll be covered one way of the other!!!

Cobra covers the same as if you were employed there. I was covered under a cobra for almost 1 year and had a baby during that time. Only difference is you pay more premium and who you pay it to.