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| *Loan,banking and credit>>>disability insurance |
Group health insurance and disability: Does group health coverage continue if I become disabled? |
In a typical policy, is there a requirement that coverage continues for an employee who becomes disabled? If not, how does one insure against this event? Although I have both group health coverage and group (and individual) disability coverage, I am concerned that the disability policies only replace income, and that the health insurance would terminate if I left employment by reason of disability, leaving me with no health insurance coverage. This might really be a problem if my disability were one that required significant medical treatment. Any thoughts? Usually not - you can keep it for up to 18 months after you've been terminated, through Cobra, but then you have to find something else to replace it with. You actually have asked several questions here. Lets begin by looking at disability coverage. First you need to determine what type of disability coverage you have. Many employers have done away with short term disability because of the cost. You should have been provided a copy of the policy from the HR department of your company. The "long term disability" is becoming more of a standard now. Typically it starts after 90 calendar days of being out of work. Again, check with your HR department. It is very important to keep documentation handy. You will need it once your claim is filed. You will most likely be given forms for your physician to complete regarding the reason and duration expected for your absence. COPY all of these documents before you send them. Stay on top of the dealines they give you. Keep your doctors appointments and most of all follow medical advice. In regards to whether or not your health coverage continues there are several options here. Every employer should have written policies and procedures. You should have access to a copy. More often then not, your employer continues to pay their portion of your medical premium while you are still in a paid status. This generally includes a period in which you have leave to cover your missed time. Once you run out of leave and enter a non paid staus you are generally liable to cover the entire premium. Please contact your HR department. Their job is to assist you with this matters. If your "disability" will continue for over a year you will need to file a claim with Social Security for disability benefits. Most employer based disability coverage will not go past one year. Also, please note that your employer must offer COBRA benefits to you for up to one year after you leave employment with them. The problem is you will be responsible for the entire premium. No usually your health coverage will not continue. You will have the opition of purchasing the same insurance policy (COBRA) but you will be responsible for the premium in full and it will only cover you for a maximum of 18 months. Most of our patients who are disabled qualify for Medicare coverage. You may want to check into that. You can contact your local Social Security office for info. It depends on your company how long they would continue your medical coverage once you leave. Mine covered me for 90 days then I had a choice of going with another insurance company or Cobra. I did Cobra for awhile but it's very expensive. It also depends on your disability plan at work. Have you a plan? If so, I would go out on STD (short-term disability) then progress into LTD. Some companies pay you while you're out on STD and LTD or give you a percentage of what you normally make. That may make the transition into SSDI easier. I have little income now (after applying for SSDI 2 yrs ago) so I was eligible for medicaid which pays all doctors and prescriptions w/no co-pay. Good luck on your SSDI. And one more bit of advise. Once you apply for SSDI, and you are turned down on first application, you can work and make up to $900 mth. If you go over that amt. your application will be withdrawn. That also may help you. Here http://wiz.sc/Ifp4G2 is an article i found on health insurance with information and tips etc. Hope it helps. |
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