Comments on: COBRA Payment Requirements

By: Lynn

Lynn — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:26:25 +0000

I am having this problem I was on dialysis for 6 years American Kideny Foundation was paying my Cobra Premium. As soon as I had the transplant, they said they were no longer paying my premium because I was no longer on dialysis. Their foundation is for dailysis patient only. I have 5 months of Cobra left. I can’t pay it I’m on SSDI. Cobra premium is 667.57. That will take a big chunk of SS check. I’ve hunting high and low, stress out , can’t sleep, when I should be recuperating from my surgery. Do anyone know of program that help pay for health premium either full or part. I am willing to pay something but I can’t pay the whole things.

Desperately seeking help!

By: Howard Locke

Howard Locke — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 23:30:30 +0000

I have some questions about these payment rules and why they’re so strict. I recently missed one payment and my COBRA was terminated by the COBRA management company (CMC).

The federal statute actually doesn’t require COBRA to be terminated upon failure to pay. The state says that “Coverage. . .*can* end when. . .Premiums are not paid on a timely basis.” It does not say the coverage *must* end. So it’s at the discretion of either the insurance company or the CMC, and in my case, it’s the (CMC) that’s being the stickler.

Does anyone know what incentives are in play here? Who hires the CMC? How are they are compensated? I always assumed that the employer hires the CMC, in which case there should be no incentive for the CMC to drop coverage — the employer isn’t paying for these individuals. And if the CMC gets paid as a percentage of premiums, shouldn’t they want to keep as many people on board as possible? The only arrangement that seems to result in the CMCs having the incentive to drop coverage is if the CMC is hired or somehow compensated by the insurance company.

And I guess there’s always the “I’m lazy” excuse, which may actually be more or less legislated in. The lawmakers actually wrote in the statute that these companies aren’t obligated to provide monthly statements. Are you serious???

Anyone have any insight into this issue?

By: UnderstandCOBRA

UnderstandCOBRA — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:59:14 +0000

You will need to contact your employer for more accurate information, there’s no way anyone else would be able t ogive that to you.

By: Barbara Tartal

Barbara Tartal — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:08:27 +0000

I mailed my information and check to Louisvill, Ky address on 7-13-2009. Could you tell me how long it takes before I can expect to have a response? I am concerned because I thought my former employee would be covering me for one month after my termination, but I was informed by my doctor my insurance had expired the day the employer let me go, on 6-30-2009. I would appreciate any information you could send. Thank You. Barbara.

By: Cleveland Stubbs

Cleveland Stubbs — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:22:33 +0000

Is it at all possible to, only pay Cobra for one month? I was terminated on Oct 9th, 2007, my soon was already approved and scheduled for surgery on October 17th, 2007. Can I just pay for Cobra to cover me for that month?

By: robert vice

robert vice — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 18:38:19 +0000

I was under Cobra coverage until November 11, 2007. My coverage was terminatedby letter of that date. My coverage began at the end of August of the same year. I rec’d an invoice for two months of October and November. I was told that I needed to have a check sent to them and postmarked by November 5, 2007 for $2013 to retain coverage. Meantime, I am having MRI’s and doctor visits for a shoulder injury that all have been approved thru my primary care doctor because i have an HMO. I have received letters of approval for the visits. I rec’d a letter of termination dated November ll. My check was cashed on November 13 and I received confirmation of benefits dated November 14, 2007. I cannot even get a call back from these folks. I have a signed statement from the UPS store that also functions as a post office stating that I was there on the 5th and that he did postmark the payment the 5th to comply with their request. Cobra says that it was postmarked the 6th and they’ve cancelled my coverage and will not pay any of the procedures that they have approved prior. They also indicated that they were refunding the money, although i’ve not seen that as yet. I feel that I’m being treated unfairly, I obviouslly was trying to comply with their request, but am receiving no consideration. Can you help me.

By: UnderstandCOBRA

UnderstandCOBRA — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 15:16:47 +0000

First, I’d call a lawyer because I am not an expert and you should treat my advice as you would the advice of a friend or a co-worker. I think calling a lawyer, especially if you’re going to have to deal with an insurance company about $$$, should be a priority.

Now, onto some water-cooler advice, unless your employer went bankrupt or you’ve had COBRA too long, you should still be on COBRA. UHC could be trying to screw you by doing this, it’s not unheard of for companies to try to pull a fast one. As for who you are supposed to pay, you should’ve received the COBRA package when you left that company detailing who your plan administrator was… while I’m not certain, it could always be your company (or a subsidiary). It should all be in that package your company was required to send you (by mail) detailing COBRA and what you are supposed to do.

Good luck!

By: Mark Luitwieler

Mark Luitwieler — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 18:47:44 +0000

I am currently paying for COBRA coverage right now (612.00/mo for me and my kids). I just scheduled a surgery for my shoulder and I am trying to budget it for it and asked what my deductible and out of pocket balances were to date and UHC (United Healthcare) informed me that I was not on a COBRA plan but had a new plan start on September 1st (my previous benefits ended 8/31) and that all of my deductible balances and out of pocket balances had been reset to zero. I think, based on my research so far that this is wrong and that my existing coverage should have been continued with the existing balances and requirements going forward. Also, in your guidelines above, you mentioned I should be making the check out to the plan administrator, NOT my former employer. They(my former employer) are requiring me to pay them. What should I do?