Finally My Cobra Coverage Questions Answered

Posted by Chris on Feb 23, 2010 in Insurance | 6 comments

After having Cobra for 3 months, and not even knowing it, I have finally figured it all out. I was so confused about the whole situation and couldn’t get a clear answer for a while. I called Ceridian Benefits, who runs the Cobra program to get some answers. Here are the questions that I wanted answers to:

When does my coverage start?
Am I up to date on my payments?
Am I covered now?
Why does my invoice show a payment for December when it’s not February?
What card do I use, what is my member ID?
How do I get my diabetes supplies?

Well, let’s go into each of these questions, and if you ever had questions about Cobra, I hope this post helps you out.

When does my coverage start?

Well this one was a pretty simple answer, it never ended. I did not know that from the day that I was fired, and the insurance rep called me and I told him that I was going to opt in for Cobra that he continued my service as is. He did this to make sure that there was no break in coverage and that I had the continuing of coverage within the 63 days.

Am I up to date on my payments?

I sent in a check to pay for December, January, and February, but I haven’t seen the check cleared yet so I was a little worried that it wasn’t paid. When I spoke to the customer service rep, she assured me that the system showed paid and she gave me a confirmation number of the payment, so I guess it’s time to figure that out with the bank.

Am I covered now?

This is was somewhat of a repetitive question, but I had to double check. Yes my coverage has been active since December, which I would have known that when I went to the clinic for the clogged Eustachian Tube.

What card do I use, what is my member ID?

This is the one that I was the most confused with because I wasn’t sure how it worked. I was waiting for a card to get sent to me that is why I didn’t think that my coverage had started yet. The reason that I didn’t get a card sent to me is because you are supposed to use the same exact card and member ID number that you had with the insurance company. So, since I had insurance through Aetna, I will continue to use that card for coverage.

How do I get my diabetes supplies?

This is just like the last question. I still get my supplies from the same way that I would get them previously through Aetna. This is great for my insulin, and for testing strips because each of those is just a $90 co-pay for 90 day supply. The insulin pump supplies are where it gets tricky and pretty much sucks. Since pump supplies are considered durable medical equipment, I have to meet a $1,000 deductible first. After that $1,000 is up then Aetna will cover it, but only up to a $2,000 maximum! $2,000 maximum for pump supplies, are you serious? That’s like a one month supply with the way that the supply companies charge the insurance companies (trust me I know from being on the inside of the supply company).

Well this customer service rep that I spoke to was a lot of help. Other insurance companies should take notes on customer service because these people are great. I spoke to about 3 different people in my calls to them and they have each been excellent. I hope this had helped any of you that have had questions about Cobra and continuing insurance coverage previously.

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6 Responses to “Finally My Cobra Coverage Questions Answered”

Shannon says:

February 23, 2010 at 10:15 AM

I had to use Cobra once and it was horribly expensive. I hope that between the $1000 deductable, high premiums, and $2000 ceiling, you’re not paying more than you would without insurance.

T1 Diabetes is so expensive. I could own a vacation home for the amount of money I’ve paid for D-supplies.

I haven’t spoken to a helpful, friendly customer service agent in I don’t know how long. I’m jealous of your recent experience!
Michael Hoskins says:

February 23, 2010 at 2:11 PM

Chris: You may already know this and be good, but I’ve always made sure to have an actual letter or Certificate of Continuous Coverage from EVERYONE that has provided me with insurance. Specifically, saying when it BEGAN and when it ended, so that there’s no confusion from anyone. This not only becomes necessary when trying to get on new coverage, and proving you’ve had no lapses previousoly, but also when arguing over long-submitted claims that should have been paid two years ago but for whatever reason didn’t, and now you’re getting billed for full cost. I’ve had insurers try to tell me before that I wasn’t covered for something, and then they’ve backtracked and covered the claim when I provided this documentation showing my specific dates of coverage that they’d given to me in writing. Always helps to be prepared.
Susan Marshall says:

February 23, 2010 at 3:25 PM

Your COBRA cost includes the amount of money your former employer was paying for you.
Generally, you start paying the first month after you are terminated, for example, if you are terminated on Dec.3, your first payment would be due Jan. 1.

Don’t allow a lapse in coverage, because when you start insurance again, the pre-existing condition clause kicks in.
Chris says:

February 23, 2010 at 9:56 PM

Thanks for your comment Shannon. I was very afraid of the costs of Cobra when I knew I was going to have to pay for it. Fortunately, Mr. Obama signed some bill, don’t remember the name of it off the top of my head, but basically, it requires your former employer to pay 65% of your monthly costs. So, long story short, I am paying just over $100 / month for insurance. I can’t beat that at all.

I’m so used to not speaking to friendly customer service reps either, so it is very weird. I was very lucky for 3 years to not have to pay for supplies really, so I wasn’t too sure how it was. I’m not going to stress about it at all because I know in the end it will all work out.
Chris says:

February 23, 2010 at 9:57 PM

Thanks for your comment Michael. I have asked for a Certificate of Continous Coverage from all of my insurers as well, it was one of the first things that I was told by a d-blogger way back when. I appreciate the advice.
Chris says:

February 23, 2010 at 9:58 PM

Thanks for the comment Susan. Way I look at it, being a prick is a pre-existing condition also, so maybe some of these customer service reps shouldn’t get coverage either.