AboutJohn Pedit Expertise Am an expert on Medicare, Medicare HMOs, and Medicare supplemental insurance. Also have extensive knowledge of Medicare especially in Mich. Have knowledge of COBRA and the Portability Act
Experience
Past/Present clients Council about 300 persons yearly and do many presentations on Medicare
Question John: I wrote to you last year but my situation has recently changed. I am on medical leave from the hospital at which I work and I have recently run out of PTO and sick time. I was told once I have run out of hours, my husband and I would go on Cobra within 30 days. My husband will turn 65 on August 2nd of this year and will be eligible for Medicare. He is employed at a home improvement store and can obtain insurance for both of us at his employment. These are my questions:
1. If we go on Cobra through my employer, is he eligible for Cobra if he is eligible for Medicare? Can he choose Cobra over Medicare which is much more expensive but has better drug coverage. I read that I, as the employee, cannot go on Cobra if I am eligible for Medicare for which I am not.
2. If he chooses Cobra and later decides to go on Medicare, will he have to pay more and will it cover pre-existing conditions?
3. If he chooses to go on Medicare, I will turn 65 in July of 2011. I can only be on Cobra for 18 months. I will have no coverage for the last 6 months. If I am able to get private coverage, can I switch from Cobra to private coverage without a pre-existing clause?
4. Should we both go on his insurance from his job and forget Cobra and Medicare?
5. Do you have any other suggestions?
I am being tested for cancer which the dr. believes I have and I will be having surgery and possibly chemo and radiation. I don't know how long I will be off my job. My leave of absence began June 5, 2009. My union contract states that if I do not return to work from a leave of absence is deemed to have a termination date corresponding to the starting date of the leave of absence without pay. My pay ran out this week. I realize to change insurance companies, you must do so within 30 days of termination. I do not know when my termination date will be or if I will be able to return to work. My last question is:
Can both my husband and myself go from Cobra onto his company's insurance and do we have to wait for open enrollment and does it cover pre-exisiting illness?
I know this is a lot to decipher and I appreciate any assisitance or advice you can give me.
Thanks.
Answer Hi Loretta
Boy, you do not ask easy ones.
Off hand it would appear that I would recommend both going on his insurance and him getting Medicare part A. However a couple of questions:
Is he still working? If so how many in firm? Less than 20? More than 100? Will they issue certificate that their coverage is as good as or better than Medicare? How much longer does he intend to work?
will you have insurance from the hospital other than a choice of COBRA?
Do you know what the cost of COBRA will be? Are their any restrictions in his plan.
