John Galt III
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2008
- Messages
- 2,799
Hi,
I am in Pa. I have separated from my employer and am COBRA eligible. The literature they sent me indicated that if I were to drop COBRA before the 18 month maximum allowed, and went on individual health insurance, the indiv health ins co could exclude coverage for any pre-existing conditions.
But can't an insurance company exclude pre-existing, and/or increase the rate anyway, for individuals? As I understand it, whenever I apply for private health insurance, on or off COBRA, or just moving from one ins co to another, the new ins co can exclude pre-existing conditions, or charge a higher premium because of them.
Here is the sentence : "Second, you will lose the guaranteed right to purchase individual health insurance policies that do not impose such pre-existing condition exclusion if you do not get continuation coverage for the maximum time available to you"
This implies that now, in the early COBRA window ( I haven't signed up for it yet, and am still before the 3/1/2013 enrollment deadline) I have a right to purchase an individual health insurance policy that does not impose a pre-existing condition exclusion. OK, but it probably would be very expensive, no?
Thanks for any insight !
I am in Pa. I have separated from my employer and am COBRA eligible. The literature they sent me indicated that if I were to drop COBRA before the 18 month maximum allowed, and went on individual health insurance, the indiv health ins co could exclude coverage for any pre-existing conditions.
But can't an insurance company exclude pre-existing, and/or increase the rate anyway, for individuals? As I understand it, whenever I apply for private health insurance, on or off COBRA, or just moving from one ins co to another, the new ins co can exclude pre-existing conditions, or charge a higher premium because of them.
Here is the sentence : "Second, you will lose the guaranteed right to purchase individual health insurance policies that do not impose such pre-existing condition exclusion if you do not get continuation coverage for the maximum time available to you"
This implies that now, in the early COBRA window ( I haven't signed up for it yet, and am still before the 3/1/2013 enrollment deadline) I have a right to purchase an individual health insurance policy that does not impose a pre-existing condition exclusion. OK, but it probably would be very expensive, no?
Thanks for any insight !