COBRA and Pregnant?

Question

I quit my job to move out of state and found out I'm pregnant. What we are thinking of doing is just continuing the coverage for myself through COBRA and as soon as my husband or myself get a job with insurance cancel COBRA. I haven't been to the dr yet and have read that if there are no gaps in coverage i can go ahead w/ my 1st dr visit on COBRA and continue as normal once we get insurance. If there are no gaps there are no loopholes and the pregnancy should be covered under the new insurance with no problems. I'm nervous doing this and debating on weather to go to the dr for my 1st visit or wait until one of us gets a job with insurance. I was already denied maternity coverage with my daughter though my last job at Siemens bc I had found out I was pregnant more than 30 days prior to being hired on.

Should I just start COBRA but wait to go to the dr? I know everyone says pregnancy isn't pre-ex but there are so many loopholes I've already had the joy of experiencing one company's

Answer 1

It doesn't matter whether you go to the doctor or when you go to the doctor.  It only matters when you became pregnant.  Just get the COBRA and stick with it.  If you've moved out of state you'll want to make sure you follow up with the company and inform them that you want the coverage.

If you get a job with coverage you should be able to switch with no problems.

good luck and congratulations....

Answer 2

You need to continue your current insurance under COBRA, and wait to go to the doctor until your TPA (third party administrator) confirms they received your payment for your COBRA coverage.    Once they have confirmed that you are 'good to go' - visit your Physician to get your prenatal care started.  

BE SURE you keep paying your premiums WAY before the due date (I'd send them RRR (return receipt requested) so you have documentation as to when they were mailed / received, so they don't "accidentally" misplace your payment until after the due date (this happened to me and cost me LOTS).

Once you / your husband get a job in your new location, VERIFY that your pregnancy will be covered because you have had NO break in coverage, BEFORE you cancel your COBRA (all you need to do is look at the coverage pamphlet - and/or call the insurance company to be sure (just don't give them any identifying information :-), just the name of your coverage and who it's through)- - and depending on the coverage, and the timeframe, it may be in your best interest to keep your COBRA until after the birth of your baby.  

Insurance companies are funny, and CHEAP, i think you are VERY smart in looking at ways of protecting yourself financially.

I do not however, think you should postpone adequate prenatal care to be sure everything is 'perfect' re: your insurance coverage though.   But my vote is to definitely be sure your COBRA is in effect before going to the doc :-).

Best wishes on your future, and congratulations on your bun in the oven!

Answer 3

Under current HIPAA regulations pregnancy cannot be considered as a pre-existing condition regardless of whether you had prior coverage or not. Here is the website for more information: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consume...

Have you verified that COBRA is available to you in your new state? Insurance is state specific - if the company doesn't have plans in your new state you may find that COBRA is worthless for you. Contact the plan administrator for more information.

Answer 4

Hi,

Please don't be nervous.Stick to COBRA until you'll cover by your new employer's group insurance.Follow the normal schedule to visit your dr. One thing,if you're already pregnant,then no insurer would be interested to provide you coverage.

For details visit...http://myinsuranceinsiderinfo.com/2007/0...