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Maternity Leave & COBRA

TryingforBaby1TryingforBaby1
in Working Moms

Did you have to pay COBRA when you went on maternity leave? The second 6 weeks of my mat leave will be unpaid and I know it's legal for them to require me to pay COBRA, but I am wondering if it is typical?

Thanks!

JP

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Re: Maternity Leave & COBRA

  • MammaBear81MammaBear81 member
    It really depends on the company, but if your employer isn't paying your insurance for the second six weeks, I would absolutely pay COBRA. If you end up with more than a 4 week gap in your insurance coverage your insurance has the right to deny coverage for any preexisting conditions for at least 1 year after "reinstatement". Do you work for a small company that isn't required to follow FMLA?
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  • ccm1203ccm1203 member
    No they just "took" my missed insurance premium from my first paycheck after I returned to work.
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  • EastCoastBrideEastCoastBride member

    When I went into unpaid status, I just had to cover my normal premiums.  I was still working for them - but they had no paycheck to take my share out of.  So I had to write a check to cover it. 

    But I have no clue as to waht the norm is.   

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  • jnealetjnealet member
    imageEastCoastBride:

    When I went into unpaid status, I just had to cover my normal premiums.  I was still working for them - but they had no paycheck to take my share out of.  So I had to write a check to cover it. 

    But I have no clue as to waht the norm is.   

    This was my company too except I had enough time accrued to cover at least my insurance payment.

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  • jess9802jess9802 member
    I am getting paid maternity leave, but I will have to go on COBRA while I am out, as I must be working at least 30 hours a week to be eligible for the company's health plan. The firm is not required to follow FMLA or the state medical leave act. My employer, however, will cover the cost of my COBRA premiums while I'm on leave, just as they cover the cost of my premiums while I'm working.

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  • TryingforBaby1TryingforBaby1

    imageMammaBear81:
    It really depends on the company, but if your employer isn't paying your insurance for the second six weeks, I would absolutely pay COBRA. If you end up with more than a 4 week gap in your insurance coverage your insurance has the right to deny coverage for any preexisting conditions for at least 1 year after "reinstatement". Do you work for a small company that isn't required to follow FMLA?

    I will definitely maintain health insurance, I am just trying to figure out what the norm is and what is legal. You are exactly right that I work for a small firm that company is not required to follow FMLA, but they are trying to implement a policy that is in compliance. My understanding is that under FMLA, the company must continue benefits as though I was working- so I think I am going back to them and asking them to revise their policy. But, I also wanted to see what the typical practice is and it sounds like most people do not pay COBRA.

    Also, you need to have a 63-day break in coverage for insurance to be able to deny any pre-existing conditions. Not sure why it's such an odd number, though.

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  • MammaBear81MammaBear81 member
    imageTryingforBaby1:

    imageMammaBear81:

    I will definitely maintain health insurance, I am just trying to figure out what the norm is and what is legal. You are exactly right that I work for a small firm that company is not required to follow FMLA, but they are trying to implement a policy that is in compliance. My understanding is that under FMLA, the company must continue benefits as though I was working- so I think I am going back to them and asking them to revise their policy. But, I also wanted to see what the typical practice is and it sounds like most people do not pay COBRA.

    Also, you need to have a 63-day break in coverage for insurance to be able to deny any pre-existing conditions. Not sure why it's such an odd number, though.

    63 days is 2 months +1 day.  They have to go according to long months because if the rule was 60 days and you didn't have insurance for July and August and started insurance September 1st you would be SOL for preexisting conditions.  When you switch jobs your coverage usually goes until the end of the month, and when you start a job insurance usually kicks in on the 1st of the month.  GL in getting you company policy changed, I know COBRA payments are super high Sad

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  • mplesset23mplesset23 member
    My company just had me send them a check with the amount that I would have paid out of my paycheck if I was there.  I gave them a check a month while I was out on maternity leave.
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