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CD and trying to get a new job?

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Posted 8/20/2007 1:14 PM (GMT -7)
I'm sure some of you have had this experience so, I'm looking for some help.

I live in VA and I'm trying to get a new job because I HATE my current job.  The job I currently have, I had when I was dxed in Oct.2006.  I didn't have a pre-existing when I started this job.  Now that I do have a pre-existing condition, I'm wondering if a new job could deny me coverage.

Does anyone have any insight on this?  I'm worried to leave this job and take a new one if I could potentially get denied coverage.  There is no way I could live and pay for all of the things I need with this DD.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give.

Posted 8/20/2007 1:32 PM (GMT -7)
In general, if you move seamlessly from one job (and coverage) to another with no break in coverage, I don't believe the pre-existing condition issue applies. You might check with your state insurance department on the rules and laws that apply there.

Posted 8/20/2007 1:43 PM (GMT -7)
I don't think you run into those problems with job changes. I think you run into that more when purchasing your own insurance.
Posted 8/20/2007 1:52 PM (GMT -7)
I have had no problems with my insurance covering me after switching jobs.  They will ask for a cert. of prior health care coverage, which your previous insurance co will provide for you on request.  I also needed it to be covered on my husbands insurance after we were married.  The only time I ran into a problem was many years ago I started a job that only had 5 employees(office work).  Blue Cross denied me insurance all together b/c of the type of policy my employer had.  I ended up being covered by the state of IL through Blue Cross.  Very expensive, however, my employer paid the portion that he would have if I was on the company's insurance.  Hope this helps.  God Bless.
Posted 8/20/2007 2:17 PM (GMT -7)
Mike B is right. as long as you can provide "proof of Credible coverage" which means coverage for the last year the new ins company cannot call it a pre-existing condition. Your current ins company can provide that for you. Our Ins co. has a link on our website you can request the document at any time. I send ex-employees there all the time. I would also check with your state agencies / do a google search for it and make sure. Good Luck! Karen
Posted 8/20/2007 2:30 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks everyone! You have given me hope that I can get out of this BAD job and take a good one that will definitely be less stressful and more of a place that I WANT to go every day.
Posted 8/21/2007 6:45 AM (GMT -7)
I know you can do it Sbgrace! Keep that positive attitude!!! Karen
Posted 8/21/2007 10:12 AM (GMT -7)
From what I understand as long as you don't have a "gap" of not having insurance, they can't hold pre-exisiting conditions against you! Good luck!
Posted 8/21/2007 1:04 PM (GMT -7)
I want to ditto what the others said about not having a gap in coverage...in general, for most decent companies having decent insurance.  However, there are insurances that are so bad that they never cover pre-existing conditions, ever.  In that case, federal law allows you to COBRA your old insurance--even if you have new insurance--if that new insurance happens to have pre-existing condition exclusions.  When I moved to Texas for a new job (after having been unemployed for five months) I discovered my company had just such an insurance plan, so I continued to COBRA my old insurance until I found a better job.  Expensive, true, but it was worth it.  My advice is that for most insurances all you need to do is avoid that gap in coverage, but definitely check up on the details of your new insurance before you sign anything.  Also, beware of waiting periods when you start employment--some companies will have a period where you are ineligible for benefits at the start of employment, and you may want to COBRA your current insurance then, too.

Posted 8/21/2007 5:28 PM (GMT -7)
I was diagnosed with CD in 05 and hated my boss and the job I had been on for almost 10 years. In June 06 - I accepted a new job with another company without any problems with insurance coverage. But, as others have advised I did not have a gap in coverage.
Posted 8/21/2007 5:50 PM (GMT -7)
Pray for me that I get this new job! I hate my boss and my current situation. I get so worked up about things there and get so stressed out. I know that a new job can only be better for my health.
Posted 8/21/2007 7:22 PM (GMT -7)

Drconnoisseur said...
...My advice is that for most insurances all you need to do is avoid that gap in coverage, but definitely check up on the details of your new insurance before you sign anything. Also, beware of waiting periods when you start employment--some companies will have a period where you are ineligible for benefits at the start of employment, and you may want to COBRA your current insurance then, too.

This is the important thing you need to remember. And it won't be cheap, so you need to plan on having enough money to cover it for the 2-3 months, or however long it takes for the insurance to take effect, on your new job.
Posted 8/21/2007 8:13 PM (GMT -7)

Just wanted to ditto what everyone else has said. I just recently moved to a different state and job. I had to carry COBRA for 2 months until the new insurance kicked in. Just as everyone else said I had to get a letter from my old insurance company stating that I had insurance until the day my new insurance started. I was still worried so I checked my new insurance for billing and sure enough they are paying my doctor bills related to my Crohns so it did work. Yeah!!  Wishing you the best and I think your right if you hate your current job getting a new one can only make you feel better. Just a thought to add to that. I did notice that even though I loved my old job and love my new job there is some stress involved with changing. The whole orientation thing and as you know different places always do things differently so it's a little stressful in the beginning. Just be prepared! Good Luck to YOU!

Charlotte

Posted 8/22/2007 11:05 AM (GMT -7)
I had to quit a good paying job becuase the insurance sucked and wanted to charge me $5,000 copay for my remicade!  I went to a lower paying job but got approved for the remi with no copay.  It was seamless except I had to pay for 2 months of cobra waiting the "introductory period" before the new benefits kicked in.  Not all jobs have that though.  It was a good decision for me.  And if you keep cobra, no insurance company can deny you if it's through your employer.  ASK benefit questions before taking a job!
Posted 8/22/2007 11:16 AM (GMT -7)
Yeah, I have no problem with my existing insurance regarding pre-exsiting conditions, though they prefer that you have one year free of symptoms with it. It did suck waiting 6 months until it bacame active though..

Matthew
Posted 8/23/2007 11:11 AM (GMT -7)
I was downsized last year so I had to go on Cobra for a few months ($1000/mo.). I was told if you go 1 day without coverage if you have a preexisting condition you can be denied for the rest of your life.  

 

Posted 8/24/2007 12:39 PM (GMT -7)
I'm really going to need as much knowledge and help with COBRA as possible. I think I'm getting fired for my company finding out that I am looking for a new job. I'm in a major panic today. Some days life REALLY sucks!!
Posted 8/24/2007 2:14 PM (GMT -7)
Hi there ... not sure which part of VA you reside; however, if you're in Northern VA, you may want to consider searching for your next job across the water in MD. Maryland law states medical insurance cannot be denied for pre-existing conditions and I am someone who is very familiar with that. I've changed jobs a few times since my dx and I've never had any issues with any insurance carrier.

Good Luck

Michael
Posted 8/25/2007 4:22 PM (GMT -7)
You cannot be denied insurance if YOU GET IT THROUGH YOUR EMPLOYMENT even if you don't opt for cobra. Don't panic.
Posted 8/25/2007 7:48 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks, Jenn. So many things are going through my mind right now and the biggest is my CD, of course. All I keep thinking about is what I would do if I ended up having to be in the hospital for another week.


I keep telling myself to breathe. I have to believe that everything happens for a reason and that I can handle this too.
Posted 8/26/2007 8:56 PM (GMT -7)
I have been through all of that. Trying to go off steroids and feeling horrible while interviewing for new jobs. I was thinking how on earth am I going to do a NEW job feeling sooo bad, but in the end it worked out. And if you have a job and working you can't be denied insurance through your job. Even though it's hard, it's better than not having insurance!
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