Let's start at the very beginning, shall we?
About 2 months ago, my boss got a letter from our insurance that detailed the costs of staying with them an additional year... Essentially- the costs rose 20% (however, he is reading it as a 26% raise, his math is off) That comes up to about 1100 extra bucks a month. That is an unholy additional amount to swallow on a monthly basis.
So, understandably, he started looking at other insurance programs. I started pursing my own options (as my boss is known for procrastinating to the point that things fall through), and ended up deciding to move to Damon's insurance as soon as it was necessary.
May 1st is the day that our office moves to the new insurance. This made my part of the situation more difficult.
Early last week, I contacted D's insurance company and familiarized myself with their procedures and set out to make absolutely sure that I would be covered under SOMEONE'S insurance. I moved quickly and got the necessary backup from my office and drafted a letter for my boss to sign stating that I will become part time May 1st and will not have health benefits at that point.
Then I started throughly studying Damon's benefits, deductibles, and our of pocket costs. It is vastly different from what I have now. Thankfully my doctor and midwives are covered, but there is more cost involved. My maximum out of pocket cost with Shaw Hofstra is $100. The max for Damon's insurance is $4000 per year. The way his insurance works requires that you pay a deductible AND a percentage of applicable costs as determined by the insurance company. So- I went from paying $100 for myself, to paying $250 for myself, plus 10% of the hospital and dr's office visits. There will also be a deductible and 10% for the baby as well, but that was going to happen either way.
Granted, this is not a ridiculously high amount... BUT it is a lot to have to wiggle into my already tight budget- especially THIS CLOSE to having my baby. So, while I was fretting, Damon suggested that I try to get Cobra-type insurance so I can stay on my current insurance and not be forced to pay unknown costs for the doctor and hospital. This would remove a large part of my anxiety about continuity,
Yesterday, I got in contact with the insurance representative for our office to make this suggestion. This morning, she got back with me and said that I should be able to get Cobra no problem, and sent me paperwork to fill out.
I emailed my boss and told him that he needed to choose a plan because I could not find out the premium I would have to pay until the office "group" has settled on a plan. So we had an office meeting this afternoon, and the office decided where to go.
I felt very thankful and relaxed and went about filling out the paperwork the rep sent me. Then I came upon a nasty clause in Missouri's Cobra law. If the "contract is being terminated" I cannot carry Cobra on myself. I called the rep back and mentioned it to her. She went about researching it and called me back to confirm that NO, I cannot carry our Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance on myself because the office is moving to United Health Care.
What a let down.
So, I have a new plan now- As soon as I get my insurance card from Damon's work, I am going to contact my dr's office and hospital and have them "run the numbers" for me.
Overall, I should be happy that I am going to be covered and my doc and hospital are still covered... I am thankful we have coverage- But I can't help but feel a bit bitter about the nasty timing of this changeover. It is highly possible that I could go into the hospital one day under one insurance, and leave two days later under a completely different insurance. Uggg.
