Cobra health coverage - 2 weeks in between jobs - What now?

Question

My last day of employment will be April 1. I am starting my new job on April 17. My new company offers health coverage on the first day of employment. Cobra sounds great! If nothing happens to my family in the 15 days, I don't have to pay for Cobra. However, what happens if my daughter or son gets sick on April 15? If I bring the child to the doctor or hospital, they usually ask for an insurance card. Do they expect us to pay cash or deny us? Do we have to pay on a credit card and then get reimbursed later? We also have a dentist appointment on April 10, and a PT on April 11 (which we can reschedule if need be). But during that timeframe, we are considered "uninsured" Do we just tell them we will be under Cobra. Please advise. Does it make sense to postpone my resignation? I have been working for 15 years and would love to have a 2 week vacation between jobs to spend with my family. However, the risk of being uninusured and something happening really worries me!

Answer 1

hello,

if you want read something about health insurance

i just come accross this blog which may help you

Answer 2

If you have any vacation time left from your current employer, you can give a month's notice and use the last two weeks as vacation time.  You will still have full health care coverage since technically will not be unemployed for any period of time.  

If you have no vacation time, talk to you HR representative about your options.  After 15 years with the company, they should be willing to do something to help you out.  Cobra is very expensive, as you pay the full amount without the company contribution (usually 50-80%).  You definitely need to do more research, unfortunately you waited too long to start looking into details before you made the decision to leave.

Your cheapest option is to not take any coverage.  You can always reschedule your appointments (which you may actually have to cancel if your new insurance doesn't cover those physicians).  The chances of something happening in 15 days is pretty slim unless you are planning to go hang gliding, base jumping, or any other crazy ****.

Get moving, you have a lot to find out in a short period of time.

Answer 3

The good news about Cobra rights are that they are retroactive within 60 days of termination, meaning that if anything happens in the 15 day period between coverages you can always go back and pay for the COBRA coverage from day one of the termination.  You also have the same 60 days to make up your mind about choosing to go on Cobra, even if they press you to make a decision early.  You can always rescind the original guidance so long as you are within the 60-day timeframe.  Do NOT let 60 days lapse, however--you'll be SOL.