What happens when you switch insurance for a new job?

[alarimer]

Is there typically a questionnaire or are you automatically enrolled? When I started this job a long time ago, I don't remember filling out a questionnaire. We had a couple of HMOs to choose from (we don't anymore) but I was automatically enrolled. Of course it was a state job, so maybe that makes a difference. Now, my employers have a 90 waiting period for new employees for insurance to save the state money. I am not sure how that works either. If you move from a job with insurance to one with a 90 waiting period, does that affect your insurability? Can't they then deny you if you have some preexisting condition?

I think that for insurance reasons I will not ever work in the private sector.

The reason I asked is that I just watched Sicko. It made me want to move to France, Canada or England. They are so much better off there, it's not even funny. People live longer. They are healthier. The kids are healthier. I know a lot of our health problems might be related to diet to but people also do not get to the doctor for preventative care either. It's a mess for sure though.

I cannot understand why so many (including, now, the President) are so opposed to single-payer, public health care system. None of the things the right says about the Canadian or British systems is true. And France, well, France is just a worker's paradise as far as I can tell. I wish I could move there.

Health INSURANCE is the problem, not the solution. And it is all tied up with the larger issue of campaign donations. Until and unless we get rid of that, we will continue to be slaves to our jobs for fear of losing insurance. And then you are at the mercy of some bureaucrat at Kaiser or Blue Cross deciding that your 18 month old daughter can have one cochlear implant but not two, even though she is just now learning to talk. Now, I know that Michael Moore picked the stories for his movie to highlight the problems of the system but everyone I know has had some kind of issue with insurance companies either denying some needed care or nitpicking the kind of medicine you can take.

[Lisa0825]

1. It depends on your new policy....

Some policies with cover you from day 1, pre-existing conditions and all. Many large employers have this. Some companies have plans that have a 90 day waiting period. My current company started coverage from day 1 without any exception for pre-existing conditions as long as I had previous coverage with no break of more than 90 days. If I had a break over over 90 days w/o insurance, I would have had a 3 month period during which those conditions would not be covered. after that 90 day period, those conditions would then be covered.

Most large employers I have worked for do not require any medical questions or exams for initial coverage, but may if you decline at first and then want to add it later.

It sounds like bullshit to me, but I am sure my company accepted those details in order to negotiate a lower rate.

Anyway, the bottom line is that it all varies based on the details of the plan that your new employer has contracted with.

Edited to add: Best idea is to contact your company's benefit administrator in HR. They generally have all the FAQs about the policy.

[alarimer]

2. I've only had three main jobs as an adult.

Only two of those had insurance.

My current employer used to have multiple plans and if you wanted to switch, you had to fill out one of those evidence of insurability questionnaires. Unless they were getting rid of the plan you were on, then there was no problem switching.

[LiberalFighter]

3. And depends on what your union can negotiate for your members if you belong to a union.

[alarimer]

10. I wish I could belong to a union.

It is illegal for me but we do have an association that lobbies the legislature on our behalf, which is something I guess. And they have held the line on some things, like health care.

If union membership was more widespread, I think we would have some of these benefits that other countries have but right now we lack the leverage to make it so.

[LiberalFighter]

15. Check with your local AFL-CIO Central Labor Council to see if there are some options for you.

Maybe some benefits can be offered.

[Norquist Nemesis]

19. Why is it illegal for you? n/t

[SharonAnn]

4. You're right. People need health care, not helath insurance. It's our "insurance" that's the proble

[Kittycat]

5. Or worse - your company gets bought out and you get a new insurance company 3mo in to the year.

You end up paying two out of pocket max's - which in our case was around $7K. We have a special needs son, and found our selves in a mess trying to get new doctors, waitlists for therapy - then the therapy clinic went out of business. Another wait list for a neurologist, and even false denials for our son's feeding supplies and nutrition (he has a g-tube).

Complete nightmare would be the understatement.

[Oregone]

6. "Health INSURANCE is the problem, not the solution"

Im in Canada now. I have insurance here. Its not a problem.

People need to understand these models if they are essentially advocating for them.

[alarimer]

8. You don't pay anything when you go to the doctor, do you?

Do you pay premiums? I really don't know. I assumed, like the British system, it came out of taxes. Still, if the government is the provider, it is not the same as private insurance. I was imprecise; it is health insurance companies and the whole business model that is the problem. Private insurance should not be part of the reform here. Unless we can pay into a public system, such as Medicare or the system covering Congress (they pay around $100 a month with few if any other expenses), health care reform is only going to be a boon to insurance companies, who are the real villains here.

[Oregone]

16. I pay premiums...

$108 a month for the BC MSP insurance (covers whole family, no matter how many children). It covers basic problems, operations and emergencies. For extra coverage, private coverage is available for an extra $100-$200 a month from providers like Blue Cross and Manulife. Its all very reasonable and practical. Private coverage serves a wonderful purpose of covering that which you may have a problem justifying as a public responsibility (cosmetic orthodonics for example).

If you can't afford premiums, they are subsidized. Its a very good system in my opinion. Making it affordable to not die lowers costs and anxiety, and promotes a healthy society.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

7. Be my guest, move to France.

It's a paradise, yes. For anybody who already has a job. Finding a job, that's another story.

[alarimer]

9. Yes I realize that finding a job is the problem.

But I want those policies instituted here: 35 hour workweek, 5 weeks of vacation, unlimited paid sick leave and single-payer PUBLIC health care system. Our system sucks for workers. All workers, public or private, at the bottom or middle-management.

The French are much more courageous than we Americans are; they practically riot in the street every time someone threatens a change in their way of life.

[Tesha]

13. Oh yeah, life in France would just totally suck!

Sergeant: Imagine your loved ones conquered by Napoleon and forced to live under French rule. Do you want them to eat that rich food and those heavy sauces?
Soldiers: No...!
Sergeant: Do you want them to have soufflé every meal and croissant?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073312/quotes , in case you were wondering.

Tesha

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

17. I have no problem with most of the French system.

And I have no problem with the French health care system, which is excellent (and contrary to popular belief, actually *more* expensive for the middle class than is the American system, in terms of monthy payments. Coincidentally, this is true of the UK system as well, which is also excellent.)

The French are much more courageous than we Americans are; they practically riot in the street every time someone threatens a change in their way of life.

No they don't. This is a silly, glorified portrayal of what actually happens there. You can take TV images of a couple of protests at Bastille and pretend that it represents the whole country, but that is very far from the truth.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. It's against the law to deny you coverage

They can make you wait 90 days but they can't deny you coverage if you are part of an employee group.

[Tesha]

12. Single-payer is opposed because our politicians (including Obama) are bought-and-paid-for by...

corporations who sell health care (and ancillary "services"
like health insurance) at a great profit to themselves and
their shareholders.

If single-payer were ever instituted in this country, many
of these folks would have to actually work for an honest
living. So instead, they buy politicians.

Tesha

[dembotoz]

14. think the key is to show continuation of coverage

At least the way it USED to be in Wisconsin....

Lets say you have group insurance and your spouse has cancer.

So you find a new job and there is a 90 day waiting period before the new group takes
effect.
I remember that as long as you had continuous insurance, preexisting conditions should not
be a problem. So with the 90 days, you take a short term doesn't cover much but is cheap policy
to start when the old group ends and ends when the new group begins.
As long as you had the short term certificate, you should be ok.

now this was before cobra and a bunch of years ago, and i never really tested it, but i remember
hearing it a few times back when my first wife had leukemia before she died.

[historian]

18. cobra

there is a govt program called cobra which, for a much lower premium, allow you to continue with your existing coverage. I think the ins. company has to be registered with them or something but im not sure. Just type cobra in google or ask your existing insurance company about it. good luck

[radfringe]

20. emphasis has been placed on health INSURANCE

when the focus should be on health CARE

[WillowTree]

21. The first iteration of HIPAA took care of this in most cases.

If you had coverage through your old employer and you become eligible for coverage through your new employer within 63 days after your prior coverage terminated, any pre-existing conditions clause in the new plan will not apply. In the situation you cite in your OP, so long as the 90 day waiting period begins within 63 days after your coverage under the old plan ended, you're fine so far as pre-existing conditions are concerned.

This is Federal law and applies to all employers with 20 or more employees.