Would pre-existing be covered with new insurance after COBRA group?

[hipgirl612]

I had group coverage thru my employer. Then I got sick and was not able to go back to work. I got on COBRA. It will be expiring soon, and I am wondering if I get insurance on my own now, will they refuse to cover my pre-existing condition that caused me to lose my job? Or will it be covered since I had group insurance with no lapse in coverage up until now?

[Titchou]

There could be a waiting period. Same for when you go back to work with group insurance. The only time you are guaranteed that the pre-existing clause will not be used is if you go from group coverage or their COBRA to another group plan.

[MHCgirl]

Originally Posted by hipgirl612

I had group coverage thru my employer. Then I got sick and was not able to go back to work. I got on COBRA. It will be expiring soon, and I am wondering if I get insurance on my own now, will they refuse to cover my pre-existing condition that caused me to lose my job? Or will it be covered since I had group insurance with no lapse in coverage up until now?

I think you're thinking of HIPAA. Under HIPAA, if you go to another group plan, they cannot exclude or wait period your pre-existing condition unless you've had a lapse in coverage of more than 63 days.

If you are trying to buy insurance as a private individual on the open market, it will probably either exclude your pre-existing condition, have a waiting period, or be extremely expensive. HIPAA does have some rules requiring "guarantee issue" but unfortunately, guarantee issue doesn't require it to be affordable for most people.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to buy insurance through a group or association that you belong to (like your local chamber of commerce or the AARP).

In addition to guaranteed issue coverage, your state may have some other resources that could be useful. Last I checked, 34 states have have a state high risk pool for people who have already been denied private coverage, usually because of a pre-existing condition.

HealthInsuranceInfo.net is a great, non-profit site that tries to keep track of what is available in each of the 50 states.

[Toonces1]

your insurance coverage under your COBRA plan should count as previous coverage under any new policy you get. If you get insurance immediately after your COBRA ends, you should not have a problem.

[hipgirl612]

Thank all of you for your information. I just checked with Blue Cross Blue Shield and learned that I can buy a "conversion" policy that will cover my pre-existing condition. Unfortunately, it will cost me even more than the huge amount I am paying thru COBRA and will not give me as good coverage. I guess I will just have to bite the bullet and get this conversion.

Thanks again for your help.