I'm afraid I am about to lose my healthcare coverage!

[Robyn66]

My husband's company is being sold. Its ok for him we are pretty sure his job is safe (thank God) but I had breast cancer last year and am still going through the reconstruction phase.

Our insurance has been pretty good so far and the copays and deductables have been paid by a fund set up by the company for that purpose. But hubby's HR person said she has no idea what is going to happen when the new company takes over. Our coverage may change in August (when changes typicaly happen) or it could happen immediately. If the change happens immediately what is going to happen with the reconstruction I am in the middle of? Am I not going to be coverd for a pre-existing condition? What about my oncologist check ups? Even if nothing changes until August since they can't consider the cancer "cured" and I have on going medicine and check ups will I be not picked up because of THAT pre-existing condition. And what if the cancer comes back? Will any of THAT be covered?? All we are getting from my husband's HR department is "I don't know" We don't even know the name of the company buying his.

So I am afraid I am about to become one of the statistic who have decent insurance today but tomorrow I will have nothing!

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Oh no! *hugs*

[OllieLotte]

2. Not to worry.

You will be picked up by the new provider.

[Robyn66]

4. Even if I am in the middle of surgery and cancer follow up?

That is what scares me.

Damn them for having this kind of power over people's lives!

[boston bean]

5. My own experience is this..

when signing up for insurance with a company i have never been asked about my health, and neither has my husband and they have never asked about my son.

However, you may experience a change in coverage. It depends on what the new owners decide to offer their employees.

[OllieLotte]

3. BTW....God Bless You. n/t

[Ms. Toad]

6. As long as you have been convered continuously

and the new owner is providing insurance, the provider doesn't have the option to drop you - or refuse to cover your pre-existing conditions.

They can ask about health history (at least if it is a small company) and can rate the company based on the health history of the employees (at least if it is a small company).

If the coverage ends, you will be eligible for COBRA (if the company is large enough), mini-COBRA (if offered by your state for smaller companies), or a conversion to a personal policy under HIPAA. These options will not be cheap - but probably will be cheaper for you than going without and risking major medical bills.

Just make sure you get a certificate of creditable coverage if your coverage ends, pay attention to information about either COBRA or HIPAA rights and don't miss any deadlines, and make sure you never have a gap in coverage of more than 63 days.

I hope none of that is necessary - but if it is you at least have some options.

[damntexdem]

7. Employer-based policies do not have pre-existing conditions exclusions.

I believe that is based in law.

[Robyn66]

8. Thank you! That makes me feel better

I hate to admit how little I understand about the whole health insurance thing. I just expect it to be there when I need it!