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Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
SuperCuteBenz
member
NTR: Can I vent for a second? (sorry long)
SuperCuteBenz
member
DH works for an engineering company. He has been with this company for about 5 years. It is an extremely small company, I want to say about 7 employees.
DH has been a faithful employee. He is the only person at this company that does his specific job, so that puts a lot of stress on us. We don't take vacations, DH rarely calls in sick, etc. When I had DD, he took 2 days off, because he really couldn't be out of the office longer than that.
The benefits are ridiculous because they are so small. DH has catastrophic insurance which runs about $800/month for him and DD. It also carries a $4,000 deductible. When we had DD, we started browsing around for health insurance to find something more affordable. We did, however the company was then in jeopardy of losing their coverage because x amount of employees have to have coverage through the company. So, DH's company said they would cover (his & DD's) insurance. DH was previously covering his own, which ran us about $400/month.
Obviously, the economy stinks right now, and the company is struggling. So, they have been "farming" DH out to another company for work until they pick up. Though he works only 30 hours a week instead of 40, which hurts us in the long run. We are VERY thankful for this. We have cut back on things to make ends meet and hoping that the company picks up. We keep in contact with them once a week by phone (though DH hasn't been in the office since Sept). We spoke to them last week, and they just said they were crunching numbers, and that they would contact us if DH's job was in jeopardy, etc.
Today, we get a letter in the mail stating that they are no longer providing coverage for DH or DD. I don't know what to think. If we keep coverage it will cost us $800/month. I am baffled that they wouldn't give us a heads up, especially since we have been in touch with them this whole time. Plus, I just missed open enrollment for my job, so I can't add them onto my insurance either.
I am just at a loss. Our only choices are for DH to look for another job, which is going to screw this company, or just not have insurance until this baby is born and I can add them. My job won't let me pick up extra hours until I quit puking left and right.
:::vent over:::
This discussion has been closed.
Re: NTR: Can I vent for a second? (sorry long)
I'm sorry, that sucks. ?
One word of advice - you might want to check with your company. ?"Loss" of insurance by your spouse/child is an exception to the open enrollment rules, I believe. ?So you may be able to get your H and DD enrolled on your insurance now. ?I *think* the fact that your DH's company is no longer paying would qualify, but I'm not positive. ?You should talk to your HR rep.?
Are they no longer paying the employee portion for your DH or are they truly no longer providing insurance coverage? If it's the first, you can just get them private insurance until you can add them (it's really not that expensive. I did it for myself for an inbetween period of my open enrollment to my DH's). If it's the second scenario, that should be enough for you to add them to your insurance as a change of life status, so open enrollment wouldn't matter. Losing a job, having a job revoke insurance coverage, etc. would all apply.
And while they are being somewhat loyal by helping your DH get hours at another company, I don't think it would hurt for your DH to be looking for another job that may offer more flexibility in terms of being able to take time off, better insurance coverage and possibly less stress.
Good luck!
Ugh-I don't know a lot about this but, I might be looking for another job if I were your H. He needs to look out for his family and not worry about if the company is going to be okay. I mean insurance is important and you can't let your daughter go without it if you can help it. GL!
Thanks ladies!
I will call HR on Monday. Here's the thing though.. They didn't drop their coverage really, they are just taking out of DH's check now. So, I didn't know if that would still count? KWIM? We are planning on dropping it, because we can't afford that. I just wasn't sure if losing and dropping are considered the same thing in this situation.
Ugh.
ETA: The same situation will apply to the company though. If DH's drops his coverage, then the company will be in jeopardy of losing theirs as well. So, I have a feeling they will try and convince him to stay with it.
this is correct. you'd be able to enroll under a "special enrollment period" but MAKE SURE there's absolutely NO break in coverage or you won't be able to enroll
losing and dropping would not be considered the same thing
See that is what I figured.
Yeah, then your company probably wouldn't add them, since it would technically be his choice. I would still call HR and ask, as his company is changing some factors...you never know, but don't go into it very hopeful LOL. I'd also ask and make sure that when you have the life change of the new baby that you can also add your DH and your DD...some policies can be more strict and only allow you to add the new baby and no additional members.
At this point your DH should tell this company to go screw themselves if they try to get him to keep their insurance. $400 a month is ridiculous and it's their fault if they put themselves in danger of losing coverage for all employees.
This is true... I am sorry, that sucks and really, I hate that they didnt tell you this was a possibility