Health Insurance coverage?

I'm now covered by the employer's health insurance (with dental) plan. After I quit/leave current job, how does this health insurance coverage work? Before I'm hired by other company, what options do I have on the health insurance?

Health Insurance coverage?
As others have noted, you may have COBRA rights, which would allow you to continue your employers' coverage -- but you have to pay 100% of the premium PLUS an administrative fee of 2%. So if your employer has been subsidizing 80% of your $100 premium your cost to continue this coverage would be $102 -- an increase of $82.





You should know, however, that COBRA applies only if there are 20 employees at your firm. If the company has less than 20 workers, there may be a state "mini-COBRA" available to you. I know there is in California, but not all states have it.





Your other alternative, and it will probably be less expensive for you, is to buy an individual policy. If you're in California you can find good plans from Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and Health Net at www.InsuranceNeighborhood.com. Outside of California I hear good things about www.InsureLane.com. You can get to either of these sites from www.hi4i.com, too.





By the way, while I'm sure Blondie means well, be careful of these kind of programs. They are NOT insurance. They are simply a discount program. There's no cap on what you'll have to spend. And, if you go this route, call your doctors and make sure they accept your particular discount program.
Reply:After you quit, you'll be given the option to continue the same coverage under COBRA. You'll have to pay the premium that the company pays, plus 2% admin fee, so it'll be pretty expensive. You have 45 days to elect COBRA, so if you'll have other coverage within 45 days, don't make a COBRA payment (but don't see the doctor either because it won't be covered).





If you have a catastrophic claim within 45 days, you'll have to make the COBRA payment to maintain your coverage retroactive to the date you left the company.
Reply:If you have worked at your current job and been on their insurance for at least 6 months you are eligible for COBRA. Basically COBRA will allow you to pay for the insurance coverage you have now at you employers group rate, which in most cases is less expensive than purchasing private insurance at individual rate.





For example: if your employer is providing 100% of your insurance premium at say $360 a month. With the COBRA option you would still keep your insurance you would just pay the premium. Private insurance usually is much higher sometimes as high as $1500 a month depending on preexisting conditions etc...





Depending on the policies at your new employer you may have a waiting period before you are eligible for benefits. Where I work it is 90 days. However, this waiting period may be negotiable. You might be able to negotiate an immediate start date on your insurance as part of your hire package.





Where I work, persons that are hired on at the management level have been able to negotiate insurance up front.





Good luck.
Reply:You have to speak to your Human Resources department about purchasing COBRA coverage - it's pretty much exactly the same coverage you have now, only you pay for the whole thing. You can do this for up to eighteen months.
Reply:You are entitled to COBRA, which is to continue carrying your current insurance with your current employer until the new employers insurance kicks in. When changing jobs you should ask your new employer if they will pay or subsidize your Cobra payments, many will if you ask, during compensation negotiations. The Cost of Cobra is the Full Cost the employer pays for your insurance, not the Cost you pay as an employee, so it is expensive.
Reply:Stop. YOU must ask them if you may continue if you leave your present job. The insurance company may say NO!





I have seen people go from paying $125 per month, to $750 cobra insurance per month because now they must pay for the full premium, as you quit your job.





You have no other health insurance options - unless you are rich and can get whatever insurance you want.





GOD bless us one and all, always.