[kateju]

Ok, this is complicated, I'll try to keep it as short & to the pt as I can:
I was covered under my husband's health plan. He was let go from his job on 7/22. I'm in HR, so it's always been the norm (in my experience) that you are covered through the end of the month of termination. I knew this was the "norm" but not law. I had an already scheduled appt to have blood work done on 7/25. I wanted to cofirm that I was still active w/ the insurane, so I call the health ins co & asked if I was active the day before & the morning of my appt. I was assured that I was "active & to not cancel my appt". Apparently, the comp my husb worked for (on 8/4) retro/backdated the insurance end date to 7/22. Are still following? Sorry...
Well, Yada yada, I got the bld-work done (mind you this was in July).
Ugh, in late-Sept we get a bill from the insurance co. for $1,638... due by 10/15! By the time we rec'd the bill, we had lapsed the amt of days to choose COBRA. (Altho, I never rec'd a cobra letter..? - whole other issuethat I've been trying to fight).
Soooo - I haven't paid anything yet because that means you accept the bill. I DON'T
So, after all that (so sorry) I know it's not the ins co's fault or my fault because I did everything I could to verify I was covered be4 the appt.
So, what next? My thought's are to send in a grievence/appeal with ins. Co (?)
Just any thoughts/ ideas would be so much appreciated. Or anyone who's gone something similar. We cant' afford this bill... we've both have been laid off *(I'm working now, but playing catch-up. So $1,638 makes me sick to my stomach.
BTW - HELLO!! - I am brand new to this website. I will do my best to give good advice to you all as well :)

[Fr_Chuck]

Your insurance ends on the last day of employment, working in HR you should have known that, companies that allow longer are merely allowing, not follow the statue.

You also knowing it was after that day should have taken the cobra coverage.

You had no insurance on that date, since it was so close to the termination, when you called did you inform them that hubby was terminated ? But they would have shown it active since it takes a couple weeks for terminations to be processed to the insurance company normally.

You may follow up on "not getting the cobra letter" to attempt to get it, but will of course have to pay all of the prior months back premium

[kateju]

did you inform them that hubby was terminated? YES, of course. That's why I called to verify in the 1st place. I gave all info about the situation. In HR, I KNOW THAT'S IT'S NOT LAW to carry insurance through the end of the month- I clearly wrote that it's "the norm". I'm sorry, did you clearly read my post before you responded?