Urgent Health Insurance Question - Recent College Grad...?

Question

My girlfriend just graduated college and her health insurance plan is running out on Aug 31. She is looking for a job but will need some sort of insurance till then. The problem is that she had to go to the hospital 4 months ago due to an irregular heartbeat. It was diagnosed as lone articular fibulation. It was treated and she has had no problems since then. What can she do? Is this a preexisting condition? Can she get any type of short term coverage? This is really important because we want her to have health insurance at any costs. Thank you so much!

*** She has always had health insurance and is covered until Aug 31

Answer 1

her current insurance provider is to provide her a letter showing  coverage. they should send this automatically when her insurance ends. this is used  so the new insurance carrier will provide coverage with out a waiting period for any preexisting conditions. as long as she has continuous coverage the new carrier must cover her preexisting conditions. she also needs to check with her current insurance carrier they generally have policies that will continue after she leaves the current policy in situations such as a dependent who is no longer eligible or a student who graduates or transfer to a different school.

EDIT:

if it is a group policy provided by her parents employer then she may be eligible under COBRA as a dependent whose eligibility has changed.  COBRA coverage can be expensive but this may be the best option. at least look into it and see if it is a viable option.

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/FAQs/faq_complia...

Answer 2

COBRA is for continuing coverage when you change employers not leave school was this insurance change due to her no longer being covered by her parents plan or her own plan through the school?

michr and LAtiNA0407 have the correct answers

Answer 3

She will probably be eligible for a short term health insurance plan but short term plans rarely will cover pre-existing conditions.

She may be eligible for COBRA depending upon the type of plan that she is currently on (and if not then maybe even a HIPAA plan).

COBRA and HIPAA are Federal laws that protect people in situations like this. Be sure that you shop around and read up on these laws. Here is some more information on COBRA and HIPAA:

Answer 4

A dependent child ceasing to be a dependent child under the       generally applicable requirements of the (group) plan is a qualifying event. So your girlfriend will be eligible for COBRA. If she gets a job with health benefits she is guaranteed  coverage, subject to the groups participation requirements, without a preexisting condition exclusionary  period, so long as she maintains creditable coverage without a break of more than 63 days. See link below for more details.  I think short term coverage is creditable, but will exclude preexisting conditions.

I don't have near enough information to hazard a guess as to whether or not she would qualify for individual insurance, but if she can, she - not her employer will own the policy.  As long as she continues to pay the premiums, the policy is hers, and she cannot be singled out for a premium increase based on claims experience. She will never have to face this situation again. It's worth a try. Call a local agent and ask for a prescreen. After the application, it will all be up to an underwriter who will make an assessment based on type, severity, and treatment of the condition.

Don

http://mtnhealthinsurance.com

Answer 5

When her insurance runs out she should be able to get COBRA insurance if nothing else. There are lots of insurance companies that offer short term insurance. I think blue cross blue shield even has a plan.

Answer 6

I've been working in the health care field for about five years, and have dealt with many insurance companies.  Okay, pre-existing conditions only apply when there is a lapse in coverage....typically its anywhere between 60-90 days.  Make sure she obtains health insurance as soon as possible to avoid any problems. She can definetly obtain a short term policy with an insurance company.  Also, her rates are most likely going to be high, so make sure you are prepared.  Also, before commiting to an insurance company, make sure you have a clear understanding of in/and out of network benefits, deductibles, and copays.  Believe it or not, there's a lot of people who have insurance, but don't understand their policy.  Good Luck, and I hope she continues feeling well!