scrubbedexpat099

There there is the penalty for not having cover.

Leslie

How does that work when it's just 30 days? I couldn't really tell by looking at the ACA website.

Giantaxe

The penalty is pro-rated. For the OP's spouse, with a gap of 35 days it would theoretically amount to about $9.

GeoffM

Looking at the website it says that coverage starts on the 1st of each month, and enrollment basically has to happen before the 15th. So today is the 17th thus coverage wouldn't start until June 1st. But I will be fined for not having cover...

I think we have to phone KP and ask what their lowest coverage option would be for us if we continue with them. And hope we don't need to use them!

Thanks for the answers. It seems even with Obamacare there are still "issues" with the whole thing.

scrubbedexpat099

So now you can only leave employment at the need of a month having known in advance so you can apply for cover.

Simple really.

Giantaxe

Or you can retroactively apply for COBRA if needed. Simple really.

The problem for the OP is not so much the ACA (they may well have known prior to the 15th that a change of employment was happening) but the fact that the spouse's employer-provided health insurance doesn't kick in until a month after employment begins.

Michael

You have to carry forward what she originally had not adding or deleting coverage. Her ex-employer has to provide Cobra coverage from the day she left the company but if you don't sign up, you can pay in arrears for up to the 1st 60 days if you need it and it will cover you for those 60 days.

In my opinion, your best option is to not sign up for Cobra unless you need it before June 1.

As far as being fined by ACA, I suspect when you file your tax return, they aren't going to ask about a couple months of missed coverage.

scrubbedexpat099

Interesting issue.

They would have had cover if they had needed it (would have paid the premium).

But assuming they did not need it, they did not pay the premium and it was cancelled retrospectively.

Shame all Insurance does not work like that.

GeoffM

This is something I'm still not quite understanding despite your best efforts. So I don't pay for continuing coverage but then fall under a bus and need major surgery. Wife gets out the checkbook and pays under Cobra, backdating of course. Do I end up paying full hospital bills as an uninsured patient right from the moment the ambulance is called, or do we get the same co-pays and suchlike as we do currently?

Ah ok, has to be the same. Good in terms of benefits; bad in terms of paying for it!

GeoffM

Just when one thinks things are lining up, her new job phones her up and says, "sorry, but the employment contract you signed is for a job that doesn't exist. So it's not valid."

Michael

Federal and state law give you 60 days from the date notice is received, or coverage would otherwise end, to elect continuation coverage. If you elect coverage within this 60-day period, and pay the applicable premiums, your coverage will be retroactive to the date of the qualifying event.

http://www.health.state.mn.us/hmo/cobra.htm

I suspect if someone in your family had major medical bills, you could just show them your old insurance card and back pay the Cobra premiums. You could also tell them you will be making payments under the 60 day Cobra rule in case they check to determine if your insurance is still valid.

GeoffM

My wife has pointed out that we have therapy sessions for our autistic son thrice a week, at $187 per session billed to Kaiser. Guess we'll be paying the premiums after all!

Fortunately the hospital with the job offer she turned down have re-offered her the job and she's gone up there to sign a contract.