Insurance question...

[Flubber]

Also

Even if a doctor has not diagnosed something , I would be shocked if there isn't something in the paperwork required that would require you to exercise some form of good faith.

It would just seem wrong that you could say . . . experience numbness for 6 months-- go buy insurance and then go see your doctor for numbness--

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by GameGeek
Maybe not, but I've seen exclusions like "must be covered by the Plan for 12 months prior to conception or we won't pay for the birth."

Ah... they probably have it on the books because no one has sued . Having pregnancy being a preexisting condition is illegal according to the law. Enforcement, though, is difficult (it's not a very sexy thing to attack).

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Spiffor
So, basically, if you have two monthes of downtime between two jobs, you might not be reimbursed for your heart problems for the whole duration of your new job*?


*(as I understand, health insurance is closely linked to your job. You have pretty much the same health insurance as long as you keep your job. Tell me if I'm wrong)

If your new job is 12 months or less, or 18 months if you are a late enrollee . After that, no pre-existing condition exclusion.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Flubber
Also

Even if a doctor has not diagnosed something , I would be shocked if there isn't something in the paperwork required that would require you to exercise some form of good faith.

It would just seem wrong that you could say . . . experience numbness for 6 months-- go buy insurance and then go see your doctor for numbness--

I believe there is no requirement of good faith (though I haven't delved into the regs that deep). It just says if treatment or diagnosis is not done in 6 months prior to getting insurance, no pre-ex.

And it's not 'wrong', just a way of getting back at the evil insurance companies .

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Mrs. Tuberski
wow i can read that too, but last i heard he passed the bar to be a lawyer my bad i didnt ask what type of lawyer he was.

Thanks for the kudos... I work for the government. So I'm not really practicing law, per se, merely enforcing it (I'm a federal Investigator).

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
If your new job is 12 months or less, or 18 months if you are a late enrollee . After that, no pre-existing condition exclusion.

I'm not sure I understand. If I have a contract for 24 months, do I have to pay by myself for my heart condition during the first 12/18, or do I have to pay nothing at all?

If I am hired at will (i.e. with no clear date as to when I'll leave the company), do I pay for my heart condition during the first 12/18 months, and then, the company pays for me? Or is there a mechanism that makes the company pay as soon as I join them?

Besides, is the 63 days break cumulative? I mean, If I have many short jobs during the year, and a total downtime of 70 days spread among the year, do I suffer from these provisions?

[Theben]

Originally posted by Spiffor
Just to get an idea, and if it's not too personal, how much would have your COBRA cost, and what was your income during unemployment?

Cost= $271/month. Initial income=$0, after unemployment payments kicked in $353/wk.

[Theben]

Which was ~3 wks after my last paycheck.

[Spiffor]

That's just wonderful.

Your health insurance is barely cheaper than my rent.

[Theben]

Well it was $91/month, when the company paid for the rest.

[Spiffor]

I don't want to sound offensive, nor do I want to sound as if I'm gloating, but your country sucks. Everything I've read in this thread, I've thinked "no way I let it happen here".

I simply cannot accept the prospect that you have suffered from something for 6 months and don't go to the doctor because of that sucky system of your country. Over here, things would have been taken care of already, and you'd be healthy.

[Theben]

When 3 insurance companies are in the top 5 of the Fortune 500, you begin to understand why...

[Spiffor]

Yes.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Spiffor
I'm not sure I understand. If I have a contract for 24 months, do I have to pay by myself for my heart condition during the first 12/18, or do I have to pay nothing at all?

If I am hired at will (i.e. with no clear date as to when I'll leave the company), do I pay for my heart condition during the first 12/18 months, and then, the company pays for me? Or is there a mechanism that makes the company pay as soon as I join them?

Besides, is the 63 days break cumulative? I mean, If I have many short jobs during the year, and a total downtime of 70 days spread among the year, do I suffer from these provisions?

Damn ignorant Frenchies . You have no coverage for the ailment specified (they have to specify it when you join) for 12/18 months, then you can have it covered under the plan rules (plan will likely pay a certain % of the cost... how much depends entirely on the plan document).

And yes, the 63 day break is cumulative.

Well it was $91/month, when the company paid for the rest.

Yeah, I pay about $100 a month (for Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO plan... I'll pay extra for a decent plan and to avoid an HMO) and the government kicks in for the rest.

[Mrs. Tuberski]

Who is any one kidding now the deductibles are killers. Who the hell has 1200 bucks for a deductible to have a mild procedure like a boil lancing. come on the insurance cos rip you off coming and going. I dont go to the dr cause i know id have to pay more then what the out come is going to be. And I have health insurance