Anyone familiar with COBRA insurance rules?

[luvdzny]

My daughter's boyfriend recently changed jobs, he has the option to pay for COBRA insurance, which he plans to do. Unfortunately he ended up having to go in the hospital before the premium was paid. I think that if he pays the premium within 45 days of quitting his job he will have coverage back to the day he quit. Here is the info off the COBRA site:

What are the Premium Payment Deadlines regarding COBRA coverage?

A plan may not require any payment until 45 days after the qualified beneficiary's initial election. If a qualified beneficiary fails to make the initial premium payment within the 45-day period, the plan administrator may terminate the COBRA coverage. Thereafter, payments are due on the first of each month, subject to a 30-day grace period.

Anyone have any experience with this or any advice to give us?

 

[golfgal]

Cobra is designed to not actually be used but is there for cases exactly like this. It is designed to provide temporary coverage between jobs. Yes, he can send in a check on Monday and he will have coverage. It is not illegal, not dishonest, it is purposely designed this way. Just have him send in his paperwork and premium on Monday.

 

[bicker]

If the unemployed person pays the premium within the stated period, the insurance coverage is effective as of the termination date. (However, that does not obviate any other requirements.)

 

[Mauldita]

He can pay within 45 days and the coverage will retro back to the date of loss (Day he terminated from the company's group plan). He will need to present the COBRA info to the provider so they can file a claim once he has paid the premium.
The is a part of my job where I am employed. But it is simple to call the COBRA administrator and they will tell you the same. Take care!

 

[Nancy]

He can pay within 45 days and the coverage will retro back to the date of loss (Day he terminated from the company's group plan). He will need to present the COBRA info to the provider so they can file a claim once he has paid the premium.
The is a part of my job where I am employed. But it is simple to call the COBRA administrator and they will tell you the same. Take care!

Right...once COBRA gets payments and updates their systems they send the information to either the insurance carrier or the employer depending on who updates eligibility. Insurance will usually show in about 5 days that all is reinstated...so if a claim was filed and denied for no coverage once the update is in the systems the patient or doctor can call insurance company and have them reconsider the claim...a new claim does not have to be sent they can work off the old one. If no claim was filed then the doctor just needs to send it in...all insurance information remains the same, same ID, same group number..they just keep using their card the way they always did.

 

[luvdzny]

Thanks for all the replies. I thought that was the case, but just wanted to double check.As usual, someone on the disboards had the answer.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just make sure he didn't actually decline the COBRA coverage as he was leaving the other job...

 

[denisenh]

i think he has 90 days to elect coverage and then has to pay within 45 days of that.
i wonder if he is eligible for the " COBRA premium reduction"?