Employer Changed my Health Plan 2 Months Before My Due Date...

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[Post New]08/26/2009 11:41
Anonymous
Maternity benefits were covered 100% as well as all other coverage was 100% except co-pays. The hospital stay was covered 100% as well. Starting Sept. 1, if we are admitted into the hospital for ANY reason, we are responsible for a $750 co-pay . Okay, so that doesn’t sound HORRIBLE, right? Well I am already taking 6 weeks unpaid maternity leave because they don't have short term disability here and FMLA does not apply since we only have 15 employees. DH and I have saved up $1200 to cover my portion of the bills and for diapers and whatever else i may need while I am out (He will only be taking off 1 week paid) plus I will have the money from the final paycheck I get from here but that will be mostly gone for the co-pay! I called and I am not "grandfathered". Any ideas??
[Post New]08/26/2009 11:51
Anonymous
Your company head is an ass.
[Post New]08/26/2009 11:54
Anonymous
can you change to your husband's insurance?

some plans allow you to change between open enrollment cycles if there is a significant change in coverage - I would assume this would qualify.
[Post New]08/26/2009 12:03
Anonymous
Well, DH is technically boyfriend... it's just easier to say DH.
[Post New]08/26/2009 12:04
Anonymous
can you get married - that would be a life event that allows for change in insurance
[Post New]08/26/2009 12:20
Anonymous
Do you have any money set aside in a flexible spending account? Otherwise, you could check with the hospital about setting up a repayment plan if you can't afford to pay at once. Sorry, that really stinks, OP!
[Post New]08/26/2009 13:08
Anonymous
Your company screwed you. I would quit and go on cobra. If you go on cobra, wouldn't it have to be the same coverage that you have now?
[Post New]08/26/2009 13:10
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Well, DH is technically boyfriend... it's just easier to say DH.


Many plans accept domestic partners, if you live together. Have him look into his coverage.
[Post New]08/26/2009 13:22
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Your company screwed you. I would quit and go on cobra. If you go on cobra, wouldn't it have to be the same coverage that you have now?


COBRA is expensive!! You pay 100% of the premium (the part that is subsidized by the employer) plus 2-3% for "admin costs". I'm not sure the above post was for real, but just wanted to point it out. You'd easily be paying 700/month for coverage.
[Post New]08/26/2009 14:00
Anonymous
There are new COBRA laws that went into effect this year, and no it is not as expensive as you make it sound. A family of 4 can get covered for around $350/month for up to 12 months. And yes, the coverage will have to be the same as offered now. However, the company is not required to offer COBRA coverage unless there are more than 20 employees, so I think it is irrelevant to begin with.
Coming from a former COBRA administrator.
[Post New]08/26/2009 14:01
Anonymous
OK, but if OP is having trouble paying $750 in copays, how will she pay $350 per month after she has NO job.

OP, I'm sure this is difficult. It is possible that your employer is doing this to prevent other more devastating cost savings measures, such as layoffs.

Good luck to you.
[Post New]08/26/2009 15:15
Anonymous
Are you sure that is the only thing that will change? If so, I know it sucks but it could be worse. For my first child I was on a plan through my employer like you used to have. Now we have since moved and are with different employers/insurance with what we thought was a similar level of coverage but got totally slammed. A $500 deductible was just for starters. We pay 20% of every procedure - tests, docs visits, hospital stay, etc. So what was less than $1K for our first child is now in the thousands out of pocket for our second (we're hoping it will be under $5K total but who the hell knows). Anyway, that totally sucks and I hope that deductible is all you will have to pay. Good luck.
[Post New]08/26/2009 15:21
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:There are new COBRA laws that went into effect this year, and no it is not as expensive as you make it sound. A family of 4 can get covered for around $350/month for up to 12 months. And yes, the coverage will have to be the same as offered now. However, the company is not required to offer COBRA coverage unless there are more than 20 employees, so I think it is irrelevant to begin with.
Coming from a former COBRA administrator.


I think this is amazing if it's true. We pay almost $600 for a family of three now.
[Post New]08/26/2009 15:45
zumbamama
Site Admin Offline
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There are new COBRA laws that went into effect this year, and no it is not as expensive as you make it sound. A family of 4 can get covered for around $350/month for up to 12 months. And yes, the coverage will have to be the same as offered now. However, the company is not required to offer COBRA coverage unless there are more than 20 employees, so I think it is irrelevant to begin with.
Coming from a former COBRA administrator.


I think this is amazing if it's true. We pay almost $600 for a family of three now.


I was offered COBRA for $650/mo when I was laid off in April. No way!
[Post New]08/26/2009 15:48
Anonymous
zumbamama wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There are new COBRA laws that went into effect this year, and no it is not as expensive as you make it sound. A family of 4 can get covered for around $350/month for up to 12 months. And yes, the coverage will have to be the same as offered now. However, the company is not required to offer COBRA coverage unless there are more than 20 employees, so I think it is irrelevant to begin with.
Coming from a former COBRA administrator.


I think this is amazing if it's true. We pay almost $600 for a family of three now.


I was offered COBRA for $650/mo when I was laid off in April. No way!


And this is the plan offered through my husband's job. It's great insurance but very expensive. And it wasn't even the most expensive they had.
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