health insurance-can you voluntarily opt out?

[barkley]

curious after reading the thread on the person who is now injured but had opted out of coverage with their employer.

both dh and i never had the option with our recent employers, unless we could provide proof that we had some type of coverage under another plan (be it through a spouse, private or gov. program) we had to participate in at least the bare minimum of coverage offered. it was a condition of employment because the employer did'nt want an employee who claimed/became sick or injured to be able to argue that they could'nt work because they could'nt get treatment due to not having health insurance.

i think it's interesting that some people have a mind set that they will opt out of coverage because in an emergency they can access a government program to cover them. having worked in the administration of government health programs i can say that it is much harder to qualify than most people realize (and i saw plenty who accrued huge bills while they waited for their application to get processed only to find they did not meet the criteria for coverage ending up with bills that had they paid for the bare minimum coverage with an employer it would have taken 10 or 20 years to cost them a comparable amount in premiums and co-pays).

so can you voluntarily opt out of coverage with your employer?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I am not covered by my employer (well sorta since DH works at the same place and I am under his family plan) and didn't have to submit proof I was covered elsewhere.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Our employer allows us to opt out of health, dental, etc. as long as we provide proof of coverage elsewhere.

 

[CEDmom]

I'm covered under my husband's employer but my employer didn't require proof. I just checked a box on a form indicating I had other coverage.

 

[m&m's mom]

I am not covered by my employer (well sorta since DH works at the same place and I am under his family plan) and didn't have to submit proof I was covered elsewhere.

You did provide proof because you are covered by your employer -just happens to be through your DH and they can verify through their own records.
At our company you have to be covered or provide the proof.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

You did provide proof because you are covered by your employer -just happens to be through your DH and they can verify through their own records.
At our company you have to be covered or provide the proof.

But when I filled out my employee insurance form DECLINING the coverage (which was just checking a box), it did not ask for any proof. So yes while they have proof on ME because of my circustances, they didn't ask for it and wouldn't have it for other employees with different circumstances.

 

[Galahad]

Some state require that you prove you have coverage before opting out.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I have the option to join and do not send in anyting if I choose not to.

 

[AllyandJack]

I didn't have to provide proof of coverage when I opted out. I'm on DH's plan. I just signed the form and that was that.

 

[Maleficent13]

I could opt out without proof. It's just a checkbox and a signature.

 

[Davids-Coco]

I opted out (and work in city gov) because my husband's insurance is SO much better than anything they were offering here. There was no proof required, I just didn't sign up for it.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I opted out when DH and I got married. I had to show proof of insurance from my husband. I'm not sure if that's a town thing, state thing, or what.

Jen

 

[SC Minnie]

We can opt out without showing proof. When I first started working here employee did not have to pay anything for themselves. We only had to pay if we wanted family covered and then it was only $35/month. It is much higher now but still a great deal. DH declined their insurance because mine was less expensive and had more coverage.