Question regarding medical insurance

[Chadman]

I am considering changing jobs and have a concern regarding insurance. I have found out my son may be a candidate for some pretty serious surgury regarding brain and spinal column issues - something he has had since birth but we just found out about it. He is supposed to just lead a normal life, but if more problems come up the next step will be surgery to correct the issues. I assume this will be very expensive and insurance will be a priority for me.

I currently have good family insurance, but am considering many options from a career perspective, including working for myself on a few projects and/or part time employment and freelancing, or just taking a new job of some sort that would have good insurance.

My question is this - what are the legal/medical insurance ramifications regarding this situation? If I switch jobs, carry current insurance over via Cobra until I get new company insurance would his operation be paid for or would it be a pre-existing condition situation. And if I work for myself and take on self-pay insurance policy of some kind, what would the situation be there - there would be no lapse in some kind of insurance, just a different company, most likely.

I really don't know much about the insurance game, and I cannot afford to make any mistakes when dealing with issues at this level. I appreciate any feedback from anyone in the business, or has had experiences of this nature. Thanks a lot.

 

[Agent 0659]

Chad,

Give me an hour or 2 and I will try to get a decent answer for you.

 

[Agent 0659]

You still have my email? If so hit me up...need to ask some questions.

 

[SixFive]

I am considering changing jobs and have a concern regarding insurance. I have found out my son may be a candidate for some pretty serious surgury regarding brain and spinal column issues - something he has had since birth but we just found out about it. He is supposed to just lead a normal life, but if more problems come up the next step will be surgery to correct the issues. I assume this will be very expensive and insurance will be a priority for me. sorry to hear that!! Hope he doesn't need it!

I currently have good family insurance, but am considering many options from a career perspective, including working for myself on a few projects and/or part time employment and freelancing, or just taking a new job of some sort that would have good insurance.

My question is this - what are the legal/medical insurance ramifications regarding this situation? If I switch jobs, carry current insurance over via Cobra until I get new company insurance would his operation be paid for or would it be a pre-existing condition situation. looks like agent is going to email you privately, but I'm pretty sure I know this answer. Health insurance, by law, is portable. If you have current insurance, and you go to a new job with benefits, the new job must cover any and all of your problems you might have in the future, and any problems that were discovered while you had your prior job and insurance. This is a part of HIPPA, and I think the main reason this legislation was passed before it was bastardized and so many other things added to it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIPPAAnd if I work for myself and take on self-pay insurance policy of some kind, what would the situation be there - I think you would probably be forced to carry some sort of catastrophic, high deductible insurance plan. Probably won't have good coverage for run of the mill md visits and ailments, but it will keep you from going broke with a catastrophic type illness.there would be no lapse in some kind of insurance, just a different company, most likely.

I really don't know much about the insurance game, and I cannot afford to make any mistakes when dealing with issues at this level. I appreciate any feedback from anyone in the business, or has had experiences of this nature. Thanks a lot. I suggest you speak with a professional in this field. Might I suggest the HR person where work? I know mine has a wealth of knowledge. I'm not sure if you have a working relationship with that person or not, but that's who I go to, and I wouldn't hesitate to ask her these types of questions (even if it was suggesting possibly looking to another job). GL!

.............

 

[Agent 0659]

6-5 is pretty much right on from what I know...

If you email me, I am going to give you the email of our office person who handles all our Health Insurance stuff. She is AMAZING, really knows her stuff. She handles small group, large group, individual, Cobra, the whole bit day in and day out. She will be able to help you.

 

[Chadman]

Very good information. Kind of what I had presumed, but when dealing with issues of this possible magnitude, in this day and age, I cannot afford to make a mistake.

Thanks a lot for your thoughts and experiences. Agent...did you send me the original fantasy golf e-mail? Can't remember...if so, then yeah, I should have your e-mail.

 

[Agent 0659]

Agent...did you send me the original fantasy golf e-mail? Can't remember...if so, then yeah, I should have your e-mail.

Pretty sure, actually, I may have yours...

 

[Agent 0659]

Sent you an email at the evenyourodds addy...

 

[Chadman]

That one is old, don't use that. Hmm, I tried the one for you that came to me via the fantasy golf entry thing, your aol addy and it bounced back.

If you have a yahoo addy for me that is not what you mentioned, it should be good. Otherwise, not sure how we can hook up. Thanks.

 

[The Boys]

If the company you work for has at least 20 employees then you quailify for 18 months of Cobra. The other possibility is group conversion. I've been writting both individual and group health insurance for 24 years, so I can also help out if you need me. Would this be Blue Cross your on?

 

[Chadman]

Pretty sure the current company has more than 20 employees considered full time paid employees. There are salespeople, not sure what they are figured at, but I think we're good on that number.

Yes, it's Blue Cross, Blue Shield.

Thanks again for the help, guys.

 

[kneifl]

Chadman -

Bluecross blue shield is the best one I've come across. I've been with 5 or 6 different outfits FWIW. I'm sure agent can help you out real good.

Agent - don't really want to have the hat bet at Colts -1, pk, or +1. you give me a Cowboys +8 and we'll talk. I'll take Indy -1 at that number as one of my own sportsbook bets.

kneifl

 

[The Boys]

Pretty sure the current company has more than 20 employees considered full time paid employees. There are salespeople, not sure what they are figured at, but I think we're good on that number.

Yes, it's Blue Cross, Blue Shield.

Thanks again for the help, guys.

OK........you could possibly have 2 good choices:

1. Cobra for 18 months then convert to blue cross with no pre-x (you must stay on cobra until it is exhausted before you convert with no pre-x)

2. don't go on cobra just convert to blue cross.

 

[Agent 0659]

Chadman...hit me at same addy but msn instead of aol.