J1 Health Insurance
Jan 10th 2012, 4:42 am
#16
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 6
Re: J1 Health Insurance
During the first week
You: I need to sort out my health insurance. Can you please speak to HR?
Supervisor: Oh, yes, you definitely need health insurance here. What do I need to do?
You: Speak to HR.
Supervisor: What do they need to know?
You: They said the academic in charge of the unit needed to speak to them about me.
Supervisor: Aren't we doing the same thing we did for <last postdoc>?
You: I don't know. What did you do for <last postdoc>? I think you'll need to speak to them.
Supervisor: Doesn't <department admin person you've never spoken to before> know?
You: I don't know <department admin person you've never spoken to before>.
Supervisor: Oh, you should speak to her. She'll know what we did for <last postdoc>.
You: I need to sort out my health insurance. Can you please speak to HR?
Supervisor: Oh, yes, you definitely need health insurance here. What do I need to do?
You: Speak to HR.
Supervisor: What do they need to know?
You: They said the academic in charge of the unit needed to speak to them about me.
Supervisor: Aren't we doing the same thing we did for <last postdoc>?
You: I don't know. What did you do for <last postdoc>? I think you'll need to speak to them.
Supervisor: Doesn't <department admin person you've never spoken to before> know?
You: I don't know <department admin person you've never spoken to before>.
Supervisor: Oh, you should speak to her. She'll know what we did for <last postdoc>.
Must think up more doctor quotes...
Jan 10th 2012, 1:45 pm
#17
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,160
Re: J1 Health Insurance
Just to be clear: you should speak to HR, on the telephone (slowly with that confusing accent!) I do not know of any university HR matter that has been addressed by email. Anywhere. Ever.
The problem is if that first week ticks you over past the first of the month. Also, whilst short-term, independent insurance will (mainly) cover you for emergencies, it may leave you high and dry for more routine matters. The short-term Assurant cover I had basically didn't do anything for office visits or prescriptions, which can be $$$ and not necessarily things that can wait. Also, be aware that anything pre-existing (even just asthma) is very unlikely to be covered by anyone outside of a group plan.
In short: do everything in your power to get on the group plan as soon as possible.
The problem is if that first week ticks you over past the first of the month. Also, whilst short-term, independent insurance will (mainly) cover you for emergencies, it may leave you high and dry for more routine matters. The short-term Assurant cover I had basically didn't do anything for office visits or prescriptions, which can be $$$ and not necessarily things that can wait. Also, be aware that anything pre-existing (even just asthma) is very unlikely to be covered by anyone outside of a group plan.
In short: do everything in your power to get on the group plan as soon as possible.
