Health Insurance and pre-existing conditions?

Question

In Sept 07 I changed jobs and had to change health insurance companies. The HR/benefits lady told me that the lapse in health insurance coverage could be not exceed 63 days, after that I would have pre-existing condition issues. I did not elect the cobra benefit from my previous employer ($1700/mo), waited for the new insurance, this took 41 days. Now I am having difficuties with childcare. My baby is not well cared for at her current day care facility, and all of the child care centers that are acceptable have year-long waiting lists for infants. As a nurse, I can change my schedule to suit the needs of my family. So I am thinking about taking another job at another hospital working weekends. I will have to change ins. again and was wondering if anyone knew if the 63 days had to be continuous or if I could change again without problems. My son is on expensive medications and I cannot afford pre-existing condition problems.

Answer 1

If you're wondering whether the 63 days are cumulative, then the answer is no.  Each time you leave a group plan, you're given another 63 days.

FYI, any "waiting period" imposed by a group plan before you can enroll is NOT counted against your 63 days.

To learn more, go here:  http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consume...