Can somebody tell me about COBRA

Mike L.

Mike L.

Joined
Aug 19, 1999
Messages
1,955
I got fired from my job (9years, 11 months) last Thursday.
I am concerned about my health insurance.
Since I was "terminated for cause" (long story for another time), can I still get health insurance under COBRA? And what do I have to do to get it?
I'm sure with the vast depth and wealth of knowledge here on BF, someone can help me.

Thanks,

Mike L.
 
Did you tick off Serpentor?:D





Sorry, I know I'm no help, I just couldn't resist the joke. I hope you're able to stay on your feet.
 
Assuming your employeer -- errr... ex-employeer -- is large enough to be covered by COBRA, then yes, you are eligible. COBRA is very complex for employeers, lots of rules and paperwork. So, most employeers don't do it themselves but retain a COBRA administration firm to do it for them. That firm should contact you shortly. If you don't hear from them in the next few days, then call your former employeer and ask. There is a form or two for you to fill out and then you have to pay... and it's expensive.
 
Thanks, Chuck. Much appreciated.

Throwing a constantly-jamming p.o.s. printer down the back stairs, in case any one wants to know.


--Mike L.
 
Well, I googled around and found a Gov't website.

Here's something"

Qualifying Events - Qualifying events are certain events that would cause an individual to lose health coverage. The type of qualifying event will determine who the qualified beneficiaries are and the amount of time that a plan must offer the health coverage to them under COBRA. A plan, at its discretion, may provide longer periods of continuation coverage.

Qualifying Events for Employees:

*

Voluntary or involuntary termination of employment for reasons other than gross misconduct "





Looks like that $50 POS printer is really going to cost me.
I dunno how I will be able to get migraine meds and such.

Oh well.

--Mike L.
 
I am so sorry that you got fired. COBRA is wicked expensive, at least it has been when I looked into it. I could never afford it.
 
As good as it must have felt to go "Office Space" on that printer- it sucks that they canned you for it. COBRA is IMHO often just a bad joke for someone who had lost their job- they offer the coverage at full retail rates- a mean thing to do to someone who has NO INCOME.
 
Next time say "Oh no I didn't throw it, I was taking it to be fixed when I dropped it."
 
my sister uses it and it is VERY expensive!

Destro and The Commander fired me for abusing the fax machine!*


I agree, was too good to pass up*

in all seriousness, you should probably look for your own if you really need it.

Ron
 
Yes, COBRA can be expensive, but:

When my daughter turned 19 in 2000 and was not a full-time student she was dropped from my healh insurance. My wife did not want us to pay for COBRA for her because she was irresponsible and "sooner or later she has to stand on her own two feet." I overrode her and took out COBRA anyway. Cost me around $200 monthly from BC/BS.

Soon after she turned 21, she was struck by a hit and run driver, who was never caught. Severe internal injuries and head trauma, not expected to live.
In a coma for 8 months, then a persistent vegetative state for a year. At the time the three year COBRA extention expired, BC/BS had paid out over $825,000. Without COBRA, most of my retirement savings would have evaporated. I consider COBRA the best financial decision I ever made.

Incidently, Kim is still making progress at recovery. There is a picture of her on page 104 of the November issue of Blade Magazine, from the 2006 Blade Show.
 
Wow!! Thank God for COBRA!! That is a miracle about your daughter. I am sending prayers! Thank God, you could afford it!!

It is a miracle that Kim is making progress at recovery!! That is really something!! She must have some amazing gifts to offer the world!!

Mike, I will pray for you!! I ma sorry that you got fired! I believe that when one door closes, God opens another door!! There will be something even BETTER for you soon! God bless!
 
for what should be a relatively simple issue COBRA can be quite complex and confusing

i dont deal with the "insurance" side of medicine much but do know

1. you should be contacted in writing by your employer about continuing your benfits as long as your employer is big enough (20, 25, 50??? cant remember) and still has an active health plan

2. the cost is just above the group rate...essentially the employee+employer contributions + a small admin fee....It can be much cheaper than comparable individually bought policies and you dont have to worry about preexisting conditions. ironically if your employer is generous and covers a lot of the premium...COBRA cost can be a shocker

3. not sure what the gross misconduct rules are....this may or not be an issue for you.

4. look at private insurance coverage and compare costs...but understand that prescription benefits can be pretty expensive
 
Even throwing a printer down the stairs, gross misconduct is probably not an issue because your ex-employeer probably won't invoke it since you could make that very messy (and expensive) for them.
 
It's been just over a week and I have heard nothing.
Considering legal advice.

--Mike
 
Before you go wasting your money on lawyers unnecessarily, call your former employeer up and ask.
 
Check with your state's department of labor. In WI, the employer is required to inform you how to file for COBRA if they fire you/lay you off. Essentially, you can keep the insurance you had with that employer... but you get to pay the WHOLE premium. If you have kids or health issues, I would definitely try to keep it going.

Also, harass the heck out of your former boss/HR dept whatever... just because they canned you doesn't mean they're absolved from their responsibilities. Don't let them blow you off, because I think there are time limits on filing for this kind of thing.

Don't forget to file for unemployment too, even if there was "cause". You've got nothing to lose by applying, and you've been paying into it for years so take it if you can. Again, do it right away, there's usually time limits involved.
 
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