Pregnant/Health Insurance question?

Question

I recently just found out that I am pregnant (6 weeks!). I also just found out that my department, including myself, may be getting laid off due to a recent merger. I know about COBRA but it may not cover me through my due date. Also, I think it may be cheaper if I can just switch to my husband's insurance. We live in Florida and he currently gets insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield) outside of his employer but he could switch to a group plan with the company if needed. I heard that he would need the group plan in order for me to switch over to his plan and be covered when I get laid off. Does anyone have any better information or suggestions!!! Thank you

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Answer 1

Cobra's 18 months.  If you're pregnant longer than 18 months, you've got a problem.

Does your husband's employer's plan have MATERNITY coverage?  Not all plans do.

Also, he probably can't switch until the open enrollment period.  Which means, you can't get added to his plan until open enrollment.  Most companies, open enrollment is November, to be effective January 1st.  

Likely, you can't "switch over" to his private policy, and likely, that private policy doesn't have maternity benefits anyway.  

No one here will have better information.  He is going to have to talk to his employer, about when open enrollment is.  He'll have to see how much the employer will charge him, to sign up for a family plan.  It MIGHT be more expensive than Cobra!  See, cobra for just you, is probably going to run around $350 or so a month.  The FAMILY plan, through his employer, probably costs about $1200 a month, and the employer probably pays about half of it - but maybe more.



Plus, if the plan is significantly cheaper than that $1200 a month, it's either going to exclude maternity, or have a big fat deductible with it.  

Step 1.   He needs to get plan coverage information.  Step 2, he needs to find out when open enrollment is - which means, when he can sign up.  Step 3, compare his plan with your plan, including maternity coverage, deductibles, and copays  Step 4, pick which one works out better, once you know the timeframe of when you can buy the coverage.

Meanwhile, DO NOT let your current coverage lapse!!!  Even if you have to pay $350 a month for he cobra.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

As long as the group still exits, you should be offered COBRA and it can last at least 18 months. But it will be expensive. Chances are, your husband's group insurance is cheaper.

In order for your husband to be added to his group coverage, he will nost likely need to wait until Open Enrollment (Oct-Nov) unless his employer allows late enrollment. Whatever time his employer allows enrollment, you can both be added.

He should check with his HR dept. to find out when Open Enrollment is and if there is a gap, you should elect COBRA to cover that gap if needed.

Answer 4

You definately won't be able to get your own insurance if you are already pregnant.  Talk to your husband's HR department about getting added to his group plan, that will be the best route to take.  Good luck!

Answer 5

Talk to his HR department for the best most reliable answers to this question. There are so many factors that the average joe won't be able to answer. Good luck and Congrats on the pregnancy!!

Answer 6

Congratulations!

You are correct, your husband could add you to his group plan.  He does not need to wait for open enrollment because, "a significant change in the health insurance coverage of the employee or spouse attributable to the spouse's employment" is a qualifying event.

Cobra is available for 18 months.

Don

http://mtnhealthinsurance.com

Answer 7

COBRA lasts for 18 months so it will cover you through your pregnancy.  It would probably be good though for your husband to get on his employer's group plan - sometimes there are waiting periods if you don't take your work policy as soon as it is available.  The point is that you want to be sure you have a "group" plan available for you and the baby rather than an individual policy.  If you or the baby develop a health problem and COBRA runs out, an individual policy can refuse to insure you while a group policy cannot - as long as you are moving directly from a "group" to a "group" policy with no break in coverage.