Can you force a health insurance company to keep you insured?

Question

I am a student going on 25, and I have health insurance through my parents via their employers. At 25 my health insurance company will drop me. If i have a chronic illness that requires medication to control and regular check ups can I keep my health insurance from dropping me? If so how would I do that?

Answer 1

As stated by other folks, COBRA is your best option if your folks work for a company that has 20+ employees.  Group conversion is sometimes an option depending on the state you live in and your health insurance.  Someone your age may be able to get a good individual policy, if the company doesn't medically underwrite.  You should speak to an insurance agent in your area.

Answer 2

Of course you can't.

Answer 3

I would contact the insurance company because sometimes they allow you to get your own policy without having to prove insurability within a certain amount of time from when you turn 25 like 30days or something. That's why it's important for everyone to have supplemental health insurance because it belongs to you and you can't get cancelled unless you don't pay the premium even if you get a major illness. I provide affordable supplemental programs so contact me if you want more info. Good luck!

Answer 4

If qualified, you may keep your current plan under COBRA. To qualify the employer must have 20 employees. If you qualify you will have to pay your share of the premium, plus the employers share, plus 2% admin fee. You will be able to keep COBRA for up to 18 months in most cases.

Answer 5

If you are no longer eligible for coverage under the terms of that insurance policy (as a dependent, I'm presuming) then your coverage will be terminated.  Knowing that gives you time to research the coverage you are going to need.

Answer 6

No, you can not force the insurer to allow you to keep your current coverage at the current premium.  (If it were that easy, we wouldn't have so many uninsured people.)

There is a possibility that you could be eligible for COBRA or a conversion plan.  You can inquire with your insurer as to whether you'd be eligible for either of those types of policies.  However, its important to keep in mind that either option will be very expensive.  And a conversion policy wouldn't necessarily have the same benefit level you currently have - may have different deductibles, coinsurance, copays, etc.  (A COBRA policy would keep you at the same level of benefits, but you'd be paying 100% of the premium + an administrative fee.)

If you're not eligible for COBRA or a conversion policy (or can't afford the premiums), your options are more limited.  You can try applying for a private policy, but with a chronic illness requiring medication and regular checkups you might get turned down.

The best, most relatively affordable option for you at this point would be to find a job that offers insurance benefits.  Your employer's policy can't turn you down because of your illness.  (Yes, I know you said you're a student.  However, you wouldn't be the first person to have to delay her education and/or drop to part time due to financial/insurance issues.)  Or else be prepared to pay for your medicines and doctor visits out of pocket, of course.

Answer 7

No.  At best, they could offer you COBRA for 18 months, where you pay 102% of the single premium amount, to keep the policy.    When that's up, you'd best get a job.