I really need some advice ladies...

abpadilla08 · May 2009

So I received a job offer with a better school last week(a less stressful environment for me and the baby). They know I am pregnant, BUT they don't give you health benefits until after 90 days. I am 21 weeks along now. If I were to start in June, by the time their insurance kicks in it will be in August. A month before I am due (Sept 19th).

My current employer offers COBRA, but I've heard from many people that it's very expensive.

I really want to accept this new position because they have great benefits and it's more of the realm of where I want to be in my career but I have to think of my baby first. Unfortunately DH's work can't add me on now since it's not "open enrollment".

I'm considering taking it and crossing my fingers nothing will happen from June until August with the baby.

It's really a tough decision. I really want whats best for me and my baby.

Anyone been through this situation or have any advice? I'd really appreciate it.

mrsmel · May 2009

you'll need to do some research but..

1. cobra is now much cheaper. the gov pays for a big percentage. see what your costs would be.

2. your dh should be able to add you outside of open enrollment. changing jobs usually would count as a "change of life" instance.

heather_09_15_07 · May 2009

I thought open enrollment didn't apply if you lost your insurance.

Cobra costs as much as your company pays for your insurance. In other words, it varies for each person.

ChrissyK88 · May 2009

I can ditto that COBRA is expensive and not something i would want for pregnancey.

AMYfromKY · May 2009

I would pay for the COBRA and take the new job. I would also just have DH talk to the insurance rep at his work. Sometimes they are flexible.

sgrl · May 2009

Are you sure your husband's insurance couldn't add you? I thought loss of coverage was a qualifying event. I could definitely be mistaken though.

Samantha82 · May 2009

I would take it, but also pay for the COBRA, since it's only for 3 months. They passed a law recently regarding COBRA and the cost, I would look into that. I'm not sure if it only applied to lay-offs. But it would be worth looking into anyway.

4realyo · May 2009

I would probably take the job. To give you an idea -- my cobra was going to be $1200 per month (that was good insurance and included my dh, so for a single, it would be substantially cheaper i would imagine) and Ive also heard that some new program that the gov't will cover like 60% of it or something. I would find out your cobra cost & look into it atleast before making a decision. I would definatley NOT go without insurance for any amount of time.

dmd3026 · May 2009

Have your husband call the insurance company because most of them have "qualifying events" that will allow you to be added. I don't work with medical insurance, but I work with dental and we consider a loss of coverage as a qualifying event and will add someone to the plan without penalties. Maybe his medical insurance has the same policy. COBRA is expensive because you are paying for the entire cost of your medical plan, but if you only had to do it for a couple months it would be better than going without.

livinreality · May 2009

I have been looking into this and I can add my to my husband's insurance if I loss coverage, it is considered a life change and does not have to be done during open enrollment. So in your case when you quit your job, you lose coverage and could pick up my husband's insurance. So look at life changes, like when you have the baby you should have 30 days to add it to his insurance, same thing.

Personally I would take the better job and pay the extra money for COBRA... in the long run it would be worth the extra money to know you and baby are covered.

mrsmyers8 · May 2009

Hey there, i do not know if cobra laws vary state to state. i just found out something new is in place for cobra. the company pays 60% and employee pays 40%. the company gets to write it off on taxes or something like that. So check it out....

metta1313 · May 2009

mrsmel:

you'll need to do some research but..

1. cobra is now much cheaper. the gov pays for a big percentage. see what your costs would be.

2. your dh should be able to add you outside of open enrollment. changing jobs usually would count as a "change of life" instance.

This is only for people who can't be added to their spouse's insurance ie: if their spouse doesn't have insurance. Trust me as I'm going through this right now since I got a RIF letter. I have to pay the whole premium to stay with my insurance b/c DH has insurance that I technically could be added too. However, he works for a small company and doesn't have the greatest plan and if I were to be added when needed (my insurance runs out 1 month before I'm due) and then baby when he/she comes, his paycheck would be nearly wiped out.

Shananah · May 2009

Cobra is significantly cheaper, HOWEVER, I'm pretty sure being involuntarily terminated is a requirement for qualifying for the stimulus discount.

dle927 · May 2009

AMYfromKY:
I would pay for the COBRA and take the new job. I would also just have DH talk to the insurance rep at his work. Sometimes they are flexible.

Ditto this. I would take the job AND pay for COBRA. You have no idea what could happen and some insurance is better than none. My best friend's SIL just had her baby yesterday at 34 weeks. None of us plan for things like that but it's a reminder that you may need the insurance before 90 days is up....btw, the babe is doing really well.

metta1313 · May 2009

Shananah:
Cobra is significantly cheaper, HOWEVER, I'm pretty sure being involuntarily terminated is a requirement for qualifying for the stimulus discount.

That's not what my HR told me. I was involuntarily terminated and I don't qualify for the stimulus discount b/c DH has insurance. I asked 3 different people b/c it seemed unreal and they all said that same thing. Also, you automatically get audited if you sign up for the discount.

Manders127 · May 2009

I could be completely wrong on this, but the insurance person at my DH's work said you have like 2 mos to sign up for COBRA, and you can sign up AFTER you need it.... so if everything is fine for the next say 5 weeks, then God forbid something happens and you are hospitalized, you could sign up for COBRA at that point and they would cover it retroactively.... IDK if this is applicable to pregnancy or would mess up your pregnancy being covered by your new insurance, but I know when we got married, I was on my dad's insurance which dropped me the day I got married, and my husband's wouldn't add me until the 1st of the next month... I was freaking out about being w/o insurance for 2 weeks, but that is the info I was given about COBRA. Its something you could look into anyways...

twobecomethree · May 2009

losing coverage (leaving a job) is a qualifying event and you would be able to be added to your husband's insurance.

abpadilla08 · May 2009

Thanks ladies for ALL the advice. I am definitely going to do some more research and make sure all the bases are covered before making a decision. I appreciate everyone's comments. I will keep you all posted! *Hugs*

abpadilla08 · May 2009

DH is looking into his insurance now to see what they can do. **Crossing my fingers!**

Val&Jason · May 2009

Shananah:
Cobra is significantly cheaper, HOWEVER, I'm pretty sure being involuntarily terminated is a requirement for qualifying for the stimulus discount.

This is true.

Ali-B · May 2009

No matter what the situation, I don't think anybody should go without insurance for any period of time. Make sure you are either on COBRA or on your husband's insurance. If something happens during lapsed coverage, it could show up as "pre-existing condition" years from now and not be covered even though you have insurance. Not to mention, you are pregnant and you and your baby need insurance!

chiromommyMichelle · May 2009

Have him double check to make sure your job change isn't on the 'qualifying event' list that allows enrollment outside of open time periods. Good luck.

BeeLove · May 2009

I agree that you should be able to be added to your hubby's insurance, but when I was unmarried and quit my job, I contacted an agent for a 3 month plan. It was not a full coverage plan but it covered many of the basics. Since you are KU, you might have to pay more, but this option was so much cheaper (at the time for me) than COBRA, so I would consider that as a third option.

I WOULD NOT GO UNINSURED especially pregnant. Good luck with the new job. It sounds ideal!

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