Got a new Job!! Some questions about switching health insurance.

[PeteNYNJ]

Hello All

Hope you are all doing well.  I singed my paper work for a new job today.  I am very excited about the new opportunity because I think it is just the kind of change I need right now. 

Question..I will give my current employer two weeks and then start the new job.  The benefits for the new job start the beginning of the next month.  I will not have coverage for about a month.  Would this lead to the possibility of my new employer insurance carrier giving me some preexisting condition clause?

My new company is very large and the insurance company they use is one of the bigger ones in the US.

Thanks

Pete

[Assurbanipal]

If you had at least 12 months of coverage with your prior job and are without coverage for less than 63 days (and enroll promptly in the new employer's health insurance plan) you should be fine

Following is from the Department of Labor FAQ on HIPAA (in addition to regulating medical information privacy rights, HIPAA controls the ability of plans to impose preexisting condition requirements)

"I changed employment and my new group health plan imposes a preexisting condition exclusion period.  How does my new plan determine the length of my preexisting condition exclusion period?

The maximum length of a preexisting condition exclusion period is 12 months after your enrollment date (18 months in the case of a late enrollee).  A late enrollee is an individual who enrolls in a plan other than on the earliest date on which coverage can become effective under the terms of the plan and other than on a special enrollment date.

A plan must reduce an individual's preexisting condition exclusion period by the number of days of an individual's creditable coverage.  However, a plan is not required to take into account any days of creditable coverage that precede a break in coverage of 63 days or more (significant break in coverage).

A plan generally receives information about an individual's creditable coverage from a certificate furnished by a prior plan or health insurance issuer (e.g., an insurance company or HMO).  A certificate of creditable coverage must be provided automatically to you by the plan or issuer when you lose coverage under the plan or become entitled to elect COBRA continuation coverage and when your COBRA continuation coverage ceases.  You also have a right to receive a certificate when you request one from your previous plan or issuer within 24 months of when your coverage ceases."

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_hipaa.html


But also, when you give notice with your old employer, make sure to get the details on when your insurance coverage from the old job ends.  Some employers continue coverage through the end of the month when you leave employment -- the HR rep at your prior job should be able to tell you what your company's policy is.

Hope you enjoy the new job.

A

[PeteNYNJ]

A

Thanks so much for your info.  I should be good to go then :0 

Pete

[beeman1965]

Just be cautious.  I changed jobs last Feb. and even though I had insurance coverage, I still got the 12-month preexisting condition clause because I work for a county government, and THEY ARE EXEMPT from HIPPA's rules.  Thankfully, my state stepped in a paid COBRA coverage for me for the 12 months through Ryan White funds.

[aliveinla]

Pete, congratulations on the new job!

I am wondering about the same thing... I got poz on this job so I had no experience and kinda scared to change job.

If I change job:

1. will the new health insurance enrollment form ask whether I am poz or not?
2. If so, if I tell the truth, will the new company HR see that?
3. How will it help if I keep paying Cobra before the new insurance kick in?

[gerry]

Pete, congratulations on the new job!

I am wondering about the same thing... I got poz on this job so I had no experience and kinda scared to change job.

If I change job:

1. will the new health insurance enrollment form ask whether I am poz or not?
2. If so, if I tell the truth, will the new company HR see that?
3. How will it help if I keep paying Cobra before the new insurance kick in?

If your employer offers you group health insurance benefits, you need not disclose any health condition.  Employer-sponsored group health insurance cannot deny coverage to an eligible employee due to a health condition.  They're not supposed to even ask about it.

Having said that, if you know you are going to have a lapse in coverage between ending your old job and beginning your new job (of more than 63 days), then the insurance carrier for your new job can impose a pre-existing condition clause on you in which even if you are enrolled as a member, they may refuse to pay benefits for the duration of the pre-existing condition.

So if you know you are going to have a lapse in coverage longer than 63 days, it would be wise to consider COBRA continuation coverage from your previous employer, until you can get enrolled in your new employer's plan.  Or if you are needing to continue expensive meds or doctors' visits, it may be worthwhile to get COBRA as well so you won't have any lapse in coverage for these services/expenses.  Be aware though that COBRA is pretty expensive if you have to pay for the premiums yourself.

Be sure to ask for a copy of your creditable coverage period from your previous employer.

[PeteNYNJ]

Started my new job...I love it.  I never realized how worth something I was corporately until I came here.

Funny thing is I got laid off my old job last month, even though I got a new job before that so I started the week after.   The old job gave me 4 months severance so until December I am under United Health Care.  Then with my new job I have Aetna until January.  Then they switch to Anthem Blue Cross.  It is crazy...thankfully I am constantly covered.

I was so nervous to start a new job but they love me...it feels good.  Life is good.