I am going to lose my dependent status on my parents insurance policy. How do I apply for COBRA?

Question

I am a junior in college and I am planning ahead to get married with one semester left to go in college. The dilemma is that I have a preexisting condition, Type I Diabetes. I cannot get covered by an individual policy, and a student health insurance policy is not sufficient for me. Am I eligible for Cobra? I've been having trouble finding information. How do I apply? Can I get a quote?

Thank you very much!

Answer 1

The HR department should be sending you a cobra package.  You can always ask your parent to request it!

Expect it to cost $250 to $300 per month, for just the health part.

Answer 2

You will be sent this information through the carrier as soon as they acknowledge your coming removal from the policy.  They have to supply this information by law.

Answer 3

You will be automatically eligible for COBRA benefits under your parent's plan, because this is a qualifying event. Your parent will have to advise the Benefits Department of the change, and your coverage ending date will be dependent upon the Plan. Sometimes it is the date of the event, and sometimes it is the end of the month.

The Plan Administrators have to send you the paperwork within 14 days of the end of coverage. It will include a COBRA election form, a HIPAA certificate, and other information (possibly coupons to make your payments). If the company administers their own plan, then they have 14 days. If they use a third-party administrator, then they have 30 days to send the term notice to the TPA, who then has 14 days to send out the election to you.  You will have 60 days to elect, and it will go back to the first day without active coverage.

The Benefits Department should also be able to tell you how much the coverage is going to cost. The standard is 102% of the original cost of coverage. My company has a very generous plan, and single coverage in the Midwest is between $500 and $600. Don't count on it costing less than that, and it won't give you heart failure when you get the bill.

My advice would be to check with a REPUTABLE local agent and find out about a gap plan, to see if it would be less costly for you to go that route. You're smart enough to know not to drop your coverage, which is good.

When you are ready to graduate, you land your dream job, and you have new coverage pending, be sure to read the fine print before dropping COBRA or other coverage and make sure that you understand exactly what your starting dates will be. Not everyone starts coverage on Day 1.

Maybe someone else can answer this question--is Type 1 Diabetes on the list of diseases that cannot be considered pre-existing?

Answer 4

Cobra is only for unemployment reasons, if you were employed and quit or were fired and the insurance company offers you Cobra, which is very very expensive. You would need to apply for your own insurance, or insured under your married spouse, if he/she has insurance. Sorry...but..call around and check different companies & see if they can find you insurance with the diabetes, you might pay more, but, you'll have coverage.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

Hello! If I am not mistaking, depending on the state you are in, if you are involuntarily dropped from an insurance plan you should be automatically insurable with another company during an open enrollment period. Check with your state department of insurance for the companies who will be having an open enrollment period. Cobra can be very expensive. Also check with a company called United American Insurance Company, this company has been know to help people who find it hard to obtain insurance through other insurers. Keep in mind, it is really difficult for a company to give you a quote without gathering necessary information from you. This info can range from your age, height, weight, other health issues, and what can you afford per month for insurance so you are not pressured into purchasing a plan that you cannot afford and let it lapse later. If the plan lapse it would be a disservice to you. If you were in Ohio I may have been able to help you! I hope this information has been helpful. Good luck with your search.

Answer 6

I think the answer is yes, but have your parents (which ever company sponsors the plan you are in) inquire about the details.  Prepare yourself, it is going to be expensive.

Answer 7

I think COBRA is only for people who have lost their coverage due to unemployment. Try this. http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consume...

Answer 8

i read the previous answers.. cobra is NOT just for unemployment reasons. that is false. you are eligible for cobra ALWAYS, unless :

1) the policy holder is fired for gross misconduct

2) the company the policy holder works for goes under

3) the ENTIRE policy is canceled for the entire workplace (because then there wouldnt be any insurance to continue)

so yes, you can enroll into cobra. you need to ask your parent who carries the insurance to talk to their HR. the employer is legally obligated to send you paperwork in the mail after you cancel off the insurance so that you may enroll. be prepared though, the enrollment process is long and could take 2-3 months before you are active again (although it will be retroactive to the date you were originally canceled). the cobra policy will be 102% of what the employer is paying for you.

Answer 9

Perhaps You may google it first ,however, if you like some direct resource ,here might be your choosing.http://health-insurance.expert-tip.info/...