How long after you cease employment are you covered by health care?

Megalosaro · Jul 4, 2018

I quit my old job last week. I began my new job on Monday.

I have some pretty serious concerns. I won't have health care until I'm after probation (in 87 days). Furthermore, my new company has a new insurer than my old company (Old company was Kaiser, new company is Meritain). I'm 90% sure I won't be able to see my old doctors.

I have 2 issues.

1) I guess I won't be able to see my therapist. How does transitioning therapists work
2) I am on anti-depressants. I have enough pills to last me 60 more days. Am I fucked until my coverage begins. Plus then there is a transition period as well.

I'm getting really stressed out now thinking about it.

alr1ght · Jul 4, 2018

https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/cobra

Megalosaro · Jul 4, 2018

so i'd have to pay the entire thing. Right now i pay like 80 a month. I'd have to pay my employer's part too

Zoe · Jul 4, 2018

COBRA can be applied retroactively, so you don't need to get on it until/unless you need it.

If your prescription is your only concern until the new insurance kicks in, you just need to weigh paying out of pocket vs paying the entire premium.

Anustart · Jul 4, 2018

Cobra was wanting to charge like 500+ a month. I dunno if you want to go barking up that tree

Linkura · Jul 4, 2018

Anustart said:
Cobra was wanting to charge like 500+ a month. I dunno if you want to go barking up that tree

Lol, at my job it's almost 2k a month for family.

I administer COBRA at my job. Shit is expensive and should only be used as a last resort. I echo Zoe , you can get it retroactively if needed. At my job you can retroactively apply it up to 45 days later.

You could also see if you could get gap coverage on your state's ACA exchange. Ymmv depending on state.

devSin · Jul 4, 2018

Megalosaro said:
I have 2 issues.

1) I guess I won't be able to see my therapist. How does transitioning therapists work
2) I am on anti-depressants. I have enough pills to last me 60 more days. Am I fucked until my coverage begins. Plus then there is a transition period as well.

I'm getting really stressed out now thinking about it.

1. Find one that's covered and make an appointment. But just because the insurer is different doesn't necessarily mean your doctor won't accept it.
2. If it's not one of the really expensive ones, you can just pay cash. Otherwise, you can call your current doctor and see if they can sample you (before you transfer to a new doctor).

WedgeX · Jul 4, 2018

For your medication, look into federally qualified health clinics. They're free clinics that operate on a sliding scale, and might be able to refill your prescription at least. It might not defer the final cost of the prescription, but the visit ought to be affordable to some extent.

This list is imperfect, but might prove a starting point: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/

Socrates · Jul 4, 2018

Depends where you live. In most civilized countries, Healthcare is not tied to employment status.

So depending on where you live, I'm sure you should be fine.

Dunlop · Jul 4, 2018

Socrates said:
Depends where you live. In most civilized countries, Healthcare is not tied to employment status.

So depending on where you live, I'm sure you should be fine.

Cobra is US

Deepthought_ · Jul 4, 2018

I used to have Cigna at my other job but I couldn't tell you how long it lasted after I quit because I never used my health insurance

Zoe · Jul 4, 2018

devSin said:
1. Find one that's covered and make an appointment. But just because the insurer is different doesn't necessarily mean your doctor won't accept it.

This may have changed, but Kaiser is different from the rest of insurers because they tend to do everything in house. They have their own medical system you're supposed to use.

Rookhelm · Jul 4, 2018

I think it basically lasts until the end of the month if you've paid this month's premium. End of next month if you're lucky

Septimus Prime · Jul 4, 2018

Zoe said:
This may have changed, but Kaiser is different from the rest of insurers because they tend to do everything in house. They have their own medical system you're supposed to use.

Kaiser is an HMO, so they won't be in network for anything but Kaiser.

But yeah, when I left my last job, I had coverage until the end of the month.

How long after you cease employment are you covered by health care?

Megalosaro

alr1ght

Megalosaro

Zoe

Anustart

9 Million Scovilles

Linkura

devSin

WedgeX

Socrates

Dunlop

Deepthought_

Zoe

Rookhelm

Septimus Prime

EA