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redcar08
Apr 18, 2009, 09:13 PM
I was terminated on April 3, 2009. I found out that my company cancelled my health insurance on the 2nd of April. Can they do that?

Fr_Chuck
Apr 18, 2009, 09:17 PM
Your insurance would terminate on April 3 at the time you were terminated. You should qualify for cobra, and should be notified of this within 30 days normally, you can ask HR about cobra benefits

CStevenTucker
Apr 18, 2009, 10:35 PM
If you worked for a company that provides 20 or more employees than you will be eligible for "COBRA" continuation coverage. You will also be eligible for a 65% reduction in the premium required to maintain Cobra continuation coverage for up to 9 months after you elect it. If you did not work for a company that employed 20 or more people than your former employer is not obligated to provide and continuation of your former Health Insurance coverage. To find out your option visit: Cobra continuation (http://www.sbisvcs.com/cobracontinuation.htm)

redcar08
Apr 24, 2009, 02:02 PM
Thank you for the information on Cobra I will check into that. I was wondering though if my employer could cancel my insurance the day before they terminated me.

CStevenTucker
Apr 24, 2009, 02:43 PM
If you were covered under your former employers group Health Insurance policy and your employer employed less than 20 employees than he/she does not have to offer Cobra continuation coverage to you. However, even if he/she employed LESS than 20 employees he/she may be obligated to provide you with continuation of coverage for up to 9 months depending on the State in which you live. This is called "State Continuation" coverage. Granted you will have to pay the entire premium he/she was paying for you when you were employed there, but if you have a pre-existing medical condition that would warrant you uninsurable if you attempt to purchase an individual Health Insurance policy, then continuing your current coverage under "State continuation" coverage may be the wisest choice. Once, the 9 month "State continuation" period ends you will be able to obtain Health Insurance through your State Risk Pool (if your state has one) without proof of insurability. In other words they will provide seamless coverage for your pre-existing conditions. Albeit, this is NOT a cheap option. However, it may be an option to pursue if you can not obtain an individual Health Insurance policy on the open market.

If you are relatively healthy, you should purchase an individual Health Insurance policy on the open market. This is almost always the lowest priced way to insurance yourself for Health Insurance. If you need further guidance on any of the aforementioned information please feel free to email ADVERTISING REMOVED