Insurance Rant

[CarolineM 0]

So I just called risk management today to see about putting Stewart on my insurance. I hadn't done it yet - for obvious reasons, mainly that he's not in the country yet. Well, turns out that after you get married you have only 30 days to add your spouse. After that you have to wait until Open Enrollment in September when school starts again. #######?

Now what? I guess we'll have to wait until he gets it through his job, but what a gamble. Why would I pay for insurance for him for 3 months that he wasn't even in this country?

This is insane and I'm pissed.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

That's a pretty well-known requirement. There is always a predetermined window of time available after a "qualifying event" (example, marriage) in which one can make changes to a group policy.

Since you missed the window, I suggest private insurance. Shop around, you may find something that is affordable.

As for your question about fairness, I don't know. Insurance folk claim the rule is in place to prevent abuse of the system and to avoid excessive modifications to a policy during the term of the policy. But I don't know how true that is.

[cmartyn 0]

Thats just a stupid made up rule.. #######, wait for open enrollment.. lol, Id tell them to bite me. Is this the company you work for or some benefits hotline? I had to go nuts to get my wife listed when she didnt have an SSN. They were just clueless.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Shouldn't immigration to the United States be considered a qualified life changing event?

If not, as mentioned previously, short term insurance is the way to go. It may only cover catostrophic stuff, but that's what I had out of college. I never used it, but it was good for my peace of mind knowing that if I got hit by a bus, I would have coverage.

[CarolineM 0]

blech. What a pain. He will have a job within weeks of getting here...so maybe i'll just wait and see what he gets through them?

It's the company for whom I work! How sad.

[cmartyn 0]

I see what you are saying, If I get Married in May, then la de da de da for four months, and then my wife falls off of a cliff, I'll suddenly remember to add her to my group policy the next day. So, the 30 day window forces you to add her immediately, or not at all, or during the short window of open enrollment.

Makes sense to me. I take back what I said about the stupid made up window.

[CarolineM 0]

true. but I maintain, why would I add him to my coverage if he's not even in America?

They should consider that. If I can show a passport stamp or somthing my 30 days should start then....

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

blech. What a pain. He will have a job within weeks of getting here...so maybe i'll just wait and see what he gets through them?

It's the company for whom I work! How sad.

If I had forgotten to add my wife within the required window, I would have started looking for another job that gave me benefits immediately. Just a thought.. going without insurance is not a good idea. And pvt insurance can be expensive. Do you think you could find another comparable position easily? Just a thought.

true. but I maintain, why would I add him to my coverage if he's not even in America?

They should consider that. If I can show a passport stamp or somthing my 30 days should start then....

Depends on whether the insurance carrier lists arrival in the US as a qualifying event. Go higher up the food chain and speak to someone with the authority to make exceptions.

[CarolineM 0]

haha no. I am a guidance counselor for the county in which I live. I have a good job that I DON'T want to change. Plus there are only two counties and the other one is WAY far for me.

Good point about the qualifying event. As of now I have a call into the ladies "supervisor"

we'll see if I get a call.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The actual arrival of the immigrating spouse in the US should be good enough for a qualifying event. Check with the higher ups of the insurance carrier or your HR dept or whoever administers the benefit.

[CarolineM 0]

i feel dumb. I thought I was being so pro-active - getting this all sorted a MONTH before Stewart got here. Little did I know.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

haha no. I am a guidance counselor for the county in which I live. I have a good job that I DON'T want to change. Plus there are only two counties and the other one is WAY far for me.

Ok. Then escalate the issue.

[CarolineM 0]

Thanks, as always, for all your help guys. I really appreciate it I will press the issue and make sure I talk to someone higher up!

Feeling a bit better now!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

karo,

One more thing.. my employer recently started offering "domestic partner" coverage, which is available to same-sex and opposite-sex couples. I wonder if they'd be willing to provide that to a spouse after you've lived together for the required number of months. Maybe not since you're married? Anyway your employer may not even have this.. but I'd check it out if I were you.

[Jenn! 918]

You should look into the details further. Usually a qualifying life event would be one of the following:

Marriage

Birth, Adoption, Guardianship

Divorce

Spouse Loss of Insurance or Employment

Spouse gains employment

Transfer or Family move

Dependent Loss of Eligibility

Immigration should fall into the "Family move" category, so do some research. Call your insurance provider directly and ask for more details about qualifying events. I would be willing to bet that you can get this resolved without changing jobs or paying for private insurance.