Continued health coverage and new employment

[Nomorecc]

What is the name of your state? TX

I am about to change jobs. Now I am covered under a group plan and would like to use my right to continued coverage (employer has less than 20 people, so it is not COBRA, just voluntary option for all leaving employees).

I have contradicting information.

One insurance agent says I can use continued coverage until I find a new job and new coverage becomes available to me. Once I am eligible for new coverage, my old insurance company will no longer cover me. At the new place of employment, I am eligible from day 1.

Another agent says I have a right to choose and I can wave new coverage and use old coverage for the allowed time (up to 6 months). Then sign up under the group plan at my new place of employment.

Why do I want to wave new coverage? Because I am 6 months pregnant and would like to stay under my current plan with a lower rate until after the baby is born.

Which agent is right? The last thing I want to happen is to be denied coverage a few weeks before the delivery.

If it matters, I have Humana coverage now and chances are, new company will offer Humana as well.

Thank you.

[averad]

Originally Posted by Nomorecc

What is the name of your state? TX

I am about to change jobs. Now I am covered under a group plan and would like to use my right to continued coverage (employer has less than 20 people, so it is not COBRA, just voluntary option for all leaving employees).

I have contradicting information.

One insurance agent says I can use continued coverage until I find a new job and new coverage becomes available to me. Once I am eligible for new coverage, my old insurance company will no longer cover me. At the new place of employment, I am eligible from day 1.

Another agent says I have a right to choose and I can wave new coverage and use old coverage for the allowed time (up to 6 months). Then sign up under the group plan at my new place of employment.

Why do I want to wave new coverage? Because I am 6 months pregnant and would like to stay under my current plan with a lower rate until after the baby is born.

Which agent is right? The last thing I want to happen is to be denied coverage a few weeks before the delivery.

If it matters, I have Humana coverage now and chances are, new company will offer Humana as well.

Thank you.

Ask for an answer in writing.

[Nomorecc]

Ask agents to answer in writing? Heh! And what can I expect?

But what is usually the rule? My current employer has no objections keeping me under their policy. I am ready to pay premiums in full. Will insurance company be against it?
(The only thing I can think of is that they would rather stop covering me since there is a big expense coming up after which the coverage will be terminated anyway - is that what's its all abou? To protect the interests of the insurance company?)

Another question: will insurance object if coverage is provided to a part-time employee? If it is fine with the employer, will insurance care?

Thank you.

[averad]

Ask agents to answer in writing? Heh! And what can I expect?
Yes if they won’t agree then you know the information is incorrect and then can go from there. In the event you get the letter and the information is wrong then you have some documentation.

But what is usually the rule? My current employer has no objections keeping me under their policy. I am ready to pay premiums in full. Will insurance company be against it?
(The only thing I can think of is that they would rather stop covering me since there is a big expense coming up after which the coverage will be terminated anyway - is that what's it’s all about? To protect the interests of the insurance company?)
The standard situation is the employee is cut from the health insurance after cobra (if the member takes it). After that the member could buy individual insurance from the carrier or another. The member would usually not be allowed to keep the same plan as the employers (Which usually have richer benefits then individual plans)

Another question: will insurance object if coverage is provided to a part-time employee? If it is fine with the employer, will insurance care?
No the employer usually can insure whomever they want at a group rate.