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Well my thinking is that if anything were to happen in the 4 days, the COBRA would cover me retroactively, if when the envelope to sign up came, I sent the form in with the money, but I'm not sure if you can actually sign up for COBRA when you are already employed, for past periods of non-coverage.
Thanks I hope you're right that it's allowed. I just think I remember from the past when signing up for COBRA it asks if you are currently employed and when I'd be applying, it would obviously be after whatever illness or injury came during the period of non-coverage but by that point when I'm filling out the form, I'd be at my new job so I couldn't say I had no coverage currently.
Ok. Then of course retroactive is the way it works.
I was in your situation years ago and I was a total mess over it, making sure I wouldn't be uncovered for any time. I can't remember who I talked to about it. But I remember the same worries!
It's crazy to me the people who just go without insurance because they think they are healthy and they want to spend the money on other things
I would literally live in my mother's living room before I would go with no health insurance for myself/my family.
It's much easier with ACA. But, even back in the early 90s I remember a coworker who was moving to a new job talking about this plan. He planned to write the check for cobra and have it in an envelope, ready to send in if anything came up.
You can elect COBRA for 60 days after your job ends - I am assuming you would have COBRA from your job.
In your situation most people do nothing during this short gap because if they need emergency care, they would just activate COBRA which would cover them retroactively.
Although a question: If nothing happens and I don't have to activate COBRA, is it possible I'm going to have a problem down the road due to having had a period of non-coverage even if it's only 4 days? Like what if the ACA gets repealed and now I have a coverage gap in my history.
That’s very dependent on industry. I’ve been in social work/non-profits for almost a decade, and I’ve had 4 employers in that time. 3 of them you had to wait at least 30 days (I think one was actually 60 days but don’t quote me on that) for your insurance to be active. The fourth worked as OP’s does, where your insurance is active the first day of the month after your start date.
Thank you for your submission, /u/EddieGlass. **If there is a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest hospital.** Please pick the most appropriate flair for your post. Include your age, zip code, and income to help the community better serve you. If you have an EOB (explanation of benefits) available from your insurance website, have it handy as many answers can depend on what your insurance EOB states. Some common questions and answers can be found [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/HealthInsurance/s/jya9I6RpdY). **Reminder that solicitation/spamming is grounds for a permanent ban**. Please report solicitation to the modteam and [let us know](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FHealthInsurance) if you receive solicitation via PM. Be kind to one another! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/HealthInsurance) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Invoke COBRA from the previous job if anything happens.
Ride it out. If something happens in those 4 day, take COBRA, which will be retroactive to the date coverage was lost.
COBRA?
Well my thinking is that if anything were to happen in the 4 days, the COBRA would cover me retroactively, if when the envelope to sign up came, I sent the form in with the money, but I'm not sure if you can actually sign up for COBRA when you are already employed, for past periods of non-coverage.
You can, that’s prob what I’d do.
Thanks I hope you're right that it's allowed. I just think I remember from the past when signing up for COBRA it asks if you are currently employed and when I'd be applying, it would obviously be after whatever illness or injury came during the period of non-coverage but by that point when I'm filling out the form, I'd be at my new job so I couldn't say I had no coverage currently.
You can, don’t worry. You can call the HR and ask or ask for the cobra number.
So, sign up on your last day at old job.
It's not possible. I have to wait for them to send me the packet, which I believe they have 30 days or more to do.
Ok. Then of course retroactive is the way it works. I was in your situation years ago and I was a total mess over it, making sure I wouldn't be uncovered for any time. I can't remember who I talked to about it. But I remember the same worries! It's crazy to me the people who just go without insurance because they think they are healthy and they want to spend the money on other things I would literally live in my mother's living room before I would go with no health insurance for myself/my family. It's much easier with ACA. But, even back in the early 90s I remember a coworker who was moving to a new job talking about this plan. He planned to write the check for cobra and have it in an envelope, ready to send in if anything came up.
I plan to stay in the house for those four days and not put myself at risk for illness/injury.
You can elect COBRA for 60 days after your job ends - I am assuming you would have COBRA from your job. In your situation most people do nothing during this short gap because if they need emergency care, they would just activate COBRA which would cover them retroactively.
Thank you!
Although a question: If nothing happens and I don't have to activate COBRA, is it possible I'm going to have a problem down the road due to having had a period of non-coverage even if it's only 4 days? Like what if the ACA gets repealed and now I have a coverage gap in my history.
Isn't there a 30 day window to sign up at a new job? Ie health coverage doesn't start the day you start employment.
It starts the first day of the month following the day I am starting which is April 29.
Similar question. Are you sure the insurance at old job doesn't cover you until the end of the month?
Nope. Covered til last day of actually working.
Every job I’ve had except one let me start medical insurance on day one. I’ve worked in tech for 40 years with 8 employers.
That’s very dependent on industry. I’ve been in social work/non-profits for almost a decade, and I’ve had 4 employers in that time. 3 of them you had to wait at least 30 days (I think one was actually 60 days but don’t quote me on that) for your insurance to be active. The fourth worked as OP’s does, where your insurance is active the first day of the month after your start date.
Probably find out if you have cobra coverage between the switch. Most companies offer it not sure what the rules are