Denied Health Ins Because Of Gastric Bypass Surgery - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes

janh · 06-17-2006, 08:59 AM

Cobra is temporary-and VERY expensive. I have a policy that is BC/BS and "only" $150. per month-I do not know if they offer it in every state though. But it WAS "no questions asked"

exit88 · 06-17-2006, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyann

Is COBRA a temporary insurance that you can keep for only 18 months or 2 years and then you need to get a traditional policy or back on with an employer??

Yes. Though some carriers let you continue the insurance once COBRA ends. At one point I had Kaiser-Permanente coverage through COBRA and when the COBRA period ended they transferred me to an individual policy.

Also note that to get a policy from a carrier under the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) or from the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP) you have to first exhaust your COBRA coverage.

WantToRun · 06-17-2006, 09:53 PM

There is a department of insurance. The Insurance commisioner's name is John Garamundi. Im sure you can look all that up on the ca state website.. his email/address should be on there too. Surprisingly contacting his office usually actually DOES something. Heheh i know... i used to work for a car insurance company and we were never happy to hear from him lol

exit88 · 06-17-2006, 11:04 PM

From the California Department of Insurance website:

Health insurance coverage is marketed to consumers through individual policies or group policies. Individual health insurance coverage should be pursued when your employer does not offer health insurance as a benefit of employment, when you cannot be named as the dependent on another person’s insurance policy, or when you are not a member of a professional or trade association that offers group coverage. Many consumers are self-employed, contract employees, or work for small employers and do not have access to a group policy secured by an employer. Individual coverage can be obtained by contacting a licensed health insurance agent or broker. You will need to complete an application that includes your medical history, which will be reviewed by a medical underwriter at the health insurance company. If you meet the underwriting qualifications and are issued a policy, the company may not cover preexisting conditions up to one year after the effective date of the policy. However, if you have been previously insured under an individual or group policy without a break in coverage of more than 62 days, your new insurance company must apply the prior creditable coverage (refer to the "Health Insurance Terms" on page 15) towards any waiting period for preexisting conditions. Individual health insurance companies may reject your application based on your medical history.

http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0100-con...e.cfm#marketed

marylou · 06-17-2006, 11:08 PM

Thanks. I do have Cobra but that will end when I leave the San Diego area because I have Sharp Health Care. I will be staying in Calif. and hope eventually to get an employer group coverage again. In the meantime I applied for a traditional health insurance and was denied. I will look into MRMIP again. (I had that for awhile when I was obese) and I'll check into the other resources posted.

exit88 · 06-17-2006, 11:16 PM

Hmm, interesting. You should try to get a "Certificate of Creditable Coverage" if your insurance is being ended by the carrier because you are leaving the area they service. Then you would probably be eligible for a HIPAA policy. If the HIPAA premium is higher than the MRMIP premium then you would be eligible for MRMIP on that basis.

coptergirl · 06-18-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exit88

Hmm, interesting. You should try to get a "Certificate of Creditable Coverage" if your insurance is being ended by the carrier because you are leaving the area they service. Then you would probably be eligible for a HIPAA policy. If the HIPAA premium is higher than the MRMIP premium then you would be eligible for MRMIP on that basis.

True...but if you are staying in CA and are moving, why can't your Cobra group be transferred as well?

twodogsmom · 06-18-2006, 11:03 AM

When your COBRA runs out (18 mo) I believe the ins. company( in CA at least) has to provide you with individual coverage, if you want it. It is costly but better than no insurance at all.

marylou · 06-18-2006, 02:38 PM

Sharp Human Resources told me that my COBRA coverage will end when I leave the area because Sharp Health Care is limited to this area unlike other insurances like Blue Cross or Kaiser. I may have been given wrong information but I don't know. I will be calling other insurance co. and ask them about their policy on history of gastric bypass surgery. Fortunately I was able to get accident and hospital coverage in case of emergency.
Mary Lou

sdgrrl · 06-17-2007, 05:49 PM

I think the COBRA limit has increased to a total of 36 months (went through this when being disabled), and if you can get it for $150, take it and run fast!! Mine was over $300 month just for me, no dependents. Isn't there also a rule that says if you have had continuous coverage for a period of 12 months, that your policy cannot be ridered to exclude any pre-existing conditions? Someone talked about a certificate of insurability--wouldn't that help?

I know the insurance game is a dirty little secret and underwriters are like Mafioso without the nice suits. Don't even get me started on Actuaries!