With accepting a job offer comes navigating an entire new set of insurance rules and regulations. My fabulous new gig offers full benefits, but the health insurance doesn’t kick in immediately so I need to purchase some short-term coverage. I’ve been fortunate in that my last two jobs offered immediate coverage, so this is uncharted water for me.
I’m hopeful through social media, some of you will be kind enough to share similar experiences. I’m looking into COBRA now, but if anyone has other options, I’d love to hear them.
This community is a wonderful place when navigating diabetes-related information from everything to test strips to insulin to insurance. Thanks in advance for the suggestions. If you’re not comfortable sharing answers in the comments section, feel free to email me directly: victoria{at}victoriacumbow{dot}com.
Hi Victoria,
Congrats on the new gig, I’m excited for you!
As far as insurance goes, COBRA is probably yor best bet. You have 45 day to signup for and once you signup any medical expenses are covered even if they occurred before you actually signup.
Coverages from the ACA exchanges doesn’t actually start until January 1st.
i’ve used cobra but it’s expensive.
you should check out the new health care market place your state is using for the obamacare. that might have some cheaper options for you. I know NY State has it’s own setup, and in the past i’ve used a state program called Healthy NY while between jobs because it was cheaper than cobra. I’d check with your state to see what’s offered.
Had luck before simply asking that my health insurance turn on immediately. They might say no, they more likely will say yes and charge you the full amount, and you might get lucky and they just do it.
Totally agree with what Scott says. I don’t know when your coverage through work kicks in, but let’s say it’s after 30 days. In that case, you can wait out the 30 days, and IF something happens during that time where you need coverage, you could sign up then. Because of the 45 day window to sign up for COBRA, you’re still okay. Of course, that still means taking a chance that something bad might happen to leave you unable to direct your affairs. So maybe that’s not a good idea.
Another reason why the exchanges may be more helpful after the new year.
I am curious how long your gap is without insurance. My advice would differ slightly depending on the length. COBRA is only expensive if your previous insurance was expensive. All COBRA provides is the opportunity for you to pay the full premium price for the insurance you had, instead of your previous employer. That previous employer has 15 days to send you the COBRA notification, then you have 45 days to sign up, then you have 60 days to make the first payment (double check the length on that last one). I had a small insurance gap during my transition, but was covered on my new insurance before the COBRA timeline actually came into effect. Are you looking at insurance coverage for test strips and insulin or in case you get into a car accident? Can you stock up on the diabetes stuff and cross your fingers?
I think Cobra is probably your best option. My husband and I have individual insurance purchased before I was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic. No other plans we checked into would take us b/c I had/have sleep apnea (pre-existing condition). I’m sure I wouldn’t have been able to get insurance with type 1 but you could try. Where we live, there is a local immediate care center that issues “insurance” plans, basically you come see them at the immediate care center. I’m not sure what would happen if you had to be transferred to a hospital but that might be worth checking into. You might qualify for Medicaid b/c you’d be “out of work” for a short-term basis and have an immediate health need?