Update problem solved Help!!! Cobra question and possible hospital with no insurance... FIXED

A realtive of mine left her job for a new job. She doesnt get ins for another 2 months. Her old job was mad that she was leaving and gave her a very hard time.

Now she is sick, possible issue with appendix. Dr said she should go get checked out at hospital. She called her old ins company to go on cobra but they are telling her that she needs to go to her old job and pay them to get the cobra. Is this true? I remember doing this years ago and I just mailed in a check to the ins company. The old job will most likely not cooperate on this. She tried calling and they wont answer her calls.

Now what happens if you go to the hospital and have no insurance? What if she needs surgery? Is she going to be stuck with a big bill?

Any help is appreciated TIA

Update she called the correct # and as long as she mails a check and its post marked by oct 1 she will be fine and be covered

Message edited 9/27/2013 1:21:43 PM.

Cobra question and possible hospital with no insurance... FIXED

She should get a formal letter or some sort of notice from her former employer within 60 days (I believe) offering Cobra but not every company does this even though they are required by law. She needs to either contact them or the insurance broker that her employer dealt with who is a liaison between the employer and the insurance company.

Help!!! Cobra question and possible hospital with no insurance... FIXED

Most companies either administer their own COBRA or outsource it. Either way, you would pay the premium to the COBRA administrator, not necessarily the insurance company.

By law, she should have been informed of her COBRA rights when she terminated her employment. - and given instructions on how to elect to participate. Is she sure she didn't get anything?

In the meantime, obviously she should get the treatment she needs. COBRA is retroactive to the termination date, so any expenses she incurs, she should submit to the insurance carrier for payment/reimbursement since she will be covered.

Good luck!

Re: Help!!! Cobra question and possible hospital with no insurance... FIXED

The former employer should have sent a COBRA Election Notice within 30 days of the Qualifying event (in this case the termination of employment)

The Election notice should be sent to the Qualified Beneficiary's home. (usually sent registered mail) If the former employer is using their CO Handbook as notice of the Right to Elect COBRA they are considered out of compliance.

The qualified beneficiary has 60 days to notify the employer or 3rd part COBRA Administrator that they wish to participate in COBRA

Once the election is made coverage is retroactive to the date that the ER provided coverage ended.

The initial premium (usually 102% of the total cost of benefits) is due within 45 days of election and every 30 days after that.

hope that helps

Re: Help!!! Cobra question and possible hospital with no insurance... FIXED

Thanks i think she found that paperwork and is calling now. Hopefully shes amstill good to pay its only been a month