anyone know anything about COBRA insurance...Please Help

[Christina Duncan]

I left my last position for teaching on March 31st...and yes, I am still looking. Today I had to go to the postoffice to pick up a certified letter that they tried to deliver yesterday. It was from my previous employer, stating that my medical coverage ended on April 30th. I have heard from various sources that coverage cannot end until you are at least notified of it ending and have COBRA information. In this letter stating it ended April 30th was my COBRA information. I am so confused. Because of some medical problems and many doctor appointments I need to go to, I need to keep coverage, it is just confusing me that I didnt receive information until after it ended. The letter makes is sound that they were writing it before the 30th and there is no date. It was sent certifed hoewer and it didnt leave my work place until the2nd/3rd.

I am confusing myself writing this post.

Anyone know anything.

I found this on one site:
What process must individuals follow to elect COBRA continuation coverage?

Employers must notify plan administrators of a qualifying event within 30 days after an employee's death, termination, reduced hours of employment or entitlement to Medicare.

A qualified beneficiary must notify the plan administrator of a qualifying event within 60 days after divorce or legal separation or a child's ceasing to be covered as a dependent under plan rules.

Plan participants and beneficiaries generally must be sent an election notice not later than 14 days after the plan administrator receives notice that a qualifying event has occurred. The individual then has 60 days to decide whether to elect COBRA continuation coverage. The person has 45 days after electing coverage to pay the initial premium.

Oh did I mention I have tried contacting my previous employer several times since my leaving and never get a call back.

Any information would be great, or prayer that a job with benefits will come fast, because I dont know how long I can even afford the COBRA.

[John Kennedy]

I assume you were a public school teacher in the state of Massachusetts and were a member of a union or teacher association. You might try going to the union local's office and asking to speak with the insurance chairman or a staff member regarding this. They probably deal with the same situation several times in a month.

[Alisa Stoll]

Basically COBRA allows you to continue the coverage you currently have/had through your employer by paying the premium yourself. The premium is at the group rate so should be better than what you could get on your own. Given your health situation, get the letter back to them quickly electing coverage.

Alisa

[Christina Duncan]

I actually worked more for a private school, a collaborative. No union there, wish there was. When I talked to Harvard Pilgrim, my health insurance, they said they were notified on April 4th and technically I should have gotten a letter well before now, but that is all they could tell me.

[Billy Cox]

I left my last position for teaching on March 31st...and yes, I am still looking. Today I had to go to the postoffice to pick up a certified letter that they tried to deliver yesterday. It was from my previous employer, stating that my medical coverage ended on April 30th. I have heard from various sources that coverage cannot end until you are at least notified of it ending and have COBRA information. In this letter stating it ended April 30th was my COBRA information. I am so confused. Because of some medical problems and many doctor appointments I need to go to, I need to keep coverage, it is just confusing me that I didnt receive information until after it ended. The letter makes is sound that they were writing it before the 30th and there is no date. It was sent certifed hoewer and it didnt leave my work place until the2nd/3rd.

I am confusing myself writing this post.

Anyone know anything.

I found this on one site:
What process must individuals follow to elect COBRA continuation coverage?

Employers must notify plan administrators of a qualifying event within 30 days after an employee's death, termination, reduced hours of employment or entitlement to Medicare.

A qualified beneficiary must notify the plan administrator of a qualifying event within 60 days after divorce or legal separation or a child's ceasing to be covered as a dependent under plan rules.

Plan participants and beneficiaries generally must be sent an election notice not later than 14 days after the plan administrator receives notice that a qualifying event has occurred. The individual then has 60 days to decide whether to elect COBRA continuation coverage. The person has 45 days after electing coverage to pay the initial premium.

Oh did I mention I have tried contacting my previous employer several times since my leaving and never get a call back.

Any information would be great, or prayer that a job with benefits will come fast, because I dont know how long I can even afford the COBRA.

I used COBRA for about six months a couple of years ago. I had 60 days to opt-in after my benefits officially ended. The premium was 103% of the group rate.

Your company should have included some kind of contact information on the notification letter. Did you follow the instructions in the letter?

The company is required by law to offer COBRA, so there may some kind of government agency that you will have to contact if you can't get a response from the company.

[Ann Smith]

I have used Cobra before and it was a smooth transition. They must offer you the opportunity to subscribe to it. I would call the employer and ask why you weren't notified earlier. Tell them you want it.
ann

[Christina Duncan]

The day I received the information (friday) I went to the post office and sent them a letter and a check. I sent it certified, because of the trouble I have had with them and them not returning my calls. From talks with people I know, they should have provided me the information before the health insurance was terminated. Previous jobs I have had no problems, My COBRA informatino was always provided well in advance. I wish I knew more about COBRA and time frames.