Would you like to...

Print this page

Email this page

Post a comment

Subscribe me

Add to favorites

User Opinions (0 votes)

No users have voted.

---

How would you rate this answer?

Helpful

Not helpful Help us improve. Why was this unhelpful?

Thank you for rating this answer.

Q:  I was laid of from my job at the end of September and I started paying for COBRA right away.  Although, I could not afford to pay for COBRA I made sure I did anyways. It took from the date I was laid off (September 30 2007) until December 28 2007 to be able to start using that health coverage that I was forced to pay for 3 months. In other word I paid for 3 months of service without being able to use any of it. I was also very sick for a solid 3 months straight and was still unable to visit any Dr. and get antibiotics. I had made several phone calls to the plan administrator and insurance company regarding this issue and attempting to get it settled. Unfortunately neither end could resolve this issue for those three months until I resorted to making a three way phone call to both parties and from their I was finally able to get this settled. I feel that this is unacceptable and I need to file an appeal to get that money back or to have COBRA put the money that I had to spend (over $1,000) towards the next months of coverage.

A:  Once you elect COBRA the insurance is retro-active, so this means you do not have a lapse in coverage.  Any claims that occur during the election period will be paid by the insurance company when the paperwork gets processed and you make your first payment.  Also, if you had to pay for any bills out of pocket, the insurance company will reimburse.  Since COBRA is a continuation of benefits without a lapse in coverage you will not be able to get a refund from the time your group benefits end to the time the paperwork is processed.  If you feel your previous employer or the plan administrator did not comply with COBRA laws, you should contact the US Department of Labor at 1-866-487-2365.