Commonwealth Care particulars are confusing---or is it me?

[yy4me]

I have been trying to figure out the new program mandated by the state. I am unemployed now buying health insurance thru COBRA, but if I find a job soon(and I hope so) I may or may not be offered the option to buy insurance through my employer. I lose COBRA as soon as I start a new job but there are waiting periods for new employees. Don't know how to cope with that. I've reviewed the site and cannot get most of the answers I need. Anyone else find it confusing? I cannot seem to find any information about how much it costs. I gather it is age specific, I'm 64.5, top $$$? To add to my problem, I can not seem to open some of the links on the state site but I called and they said no-one else had mentioned it. Lets have a discussion about this program if it applies to you?

[MADem]

1. Were you trying this page?

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=hichomepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Qhic

I clicked on the FAQ, and it came up as a WORDPAD document (probably WORD if you have that).

Is this the info you seek?

Uninsured means that you do not already have insurance coverage that covers doctor’s visits and hospitalization. Commonwealth Care is a program for individuals who are uninsured.

Individuals are considered insured and NOT eligible to participate in Commonwealth Care if:

· their (or a family member’s) current employer offered them health insurance coverage within the last six months

AND

· the employer-offered health insurance covered at least:
o 20% of the annual premium costs for a family
o 33% of the annual premium costs for an individual

5. What about certain subsidized health insurance programs, do they count as other health insurance?

Yes, individuals eligible for one of the following health insurances will not qualify for Commonwealth Care:
· MassHealth
· Medicare
· TRICARE
· Insurance Partnership
· Massachusetts Fisherman’s Partnership Inc.
· Qualifying Student Health Insurance Program
· Massachusetts Division of Unemployment, Medical Security Plan
· Those eligible as a dependent for coverage under a family health insurance plan

6. What about individuals receiving COBRA coverage, non-group coverage or in a waiting period for group coverage?

Those individuals are not considered to meet the definition of insured and therefore will not be disqualified from Commonwealth Care eligibility (assuming they meet all other Commonwealth Care eligibility criteria).



I'm TRICARE, so this doesn't apply to me, but thought I'd try to help.

[yy4me]

3. Hi, Yes, that is the info, but I believe there is more.

OOps, I found my problem...and it was me, not this infernal machine. Thanks.

[MADem]

4. Oh, there was loads more, I only grabbed a snippet!

The info had to download, which can sometimes get messed up with a popup stopper. Glad you were able to sort it out. Good luck!

[Gormy Cuss]

2. You should be able to keep the COBRA until you qualify for the new employer's group plan

unless you hit the 18 month limit on COBRA before then. Within that 18 month period you are usually allowed to continue with COBRA until you qualify for the new employer's group plan. Ask the plan administrator this question in writing.