COBRA Health Insurance

**mudflap560** · 10-05-2010

With all the uncertainty regarding whether someone will lose their job, here is a link to the US Department of Labor, and COBRA health insurance.

U.S. Department of Labor - Find It By Topic - Health Plans & Benefits - Continuation of Health Coverage – COBRA

Here is just one of many FAQs.

Q24: Am I eligible for COBRA if my company closed or went bankrupt and there is no health plan?

If there is no longer a health plan, there is no COBRA coverage available. If, however, there is another plan offered by the company, you may be covered under that plan. Union members who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that provides for a medical plan also may be entitled to continued coverage.

read more FAQ at:
FAQs For Employees About COBRA Continuation Health Coverage

**2631** · 10-05-2010

I just got my 1st bill from the benefit fund. Full coverage under the COBRA for my wife and I is $1142.76 a month.

**mudflap560** · 10-05-2010

Originally Posted by 2631

I just got my 1st bill from the benefit fund. Full coverage under the COBRA for my wife and I is $1142.76 a month.

2631, I know you and I have discussed this but for those that do not know, that same policy as an individual plan, on the open market is over $3000 per month.

Without COBRA and the union things would be a lot worse.

**mudflap560** · 10-05-2010

Originally Posted by 2631

I just got my 1st bill from the benefit fund. Full coverage under the COBRA for my wife and I is $1142.76 a month.

2631, that rate is changed yearly in August. Next August you should see an increase. cause nothing ever goes down, except wages.

**slavenomore** · 10-05-2010

Originally Posted by 2631

I just got my 1st bill from the benefit fund. Full coverage under the COBRA for my wife and I is $1142.76 a month.

That would be half of my months pay from unemployment..But it may be more with 3 kids.....A NO IS NOT WORTH THE GAMBLE.

**x475** · 10-05-2010

Thanks Mudflap for a good link and info!

**mudflap560** · 10-05-2010

Originally Posted by slavenomore

That would be half of my months pay from unemployment..But it may be more with 3 kids.....A NO IS NOT WORTH THE GAMBLE.

You are correct slave, what 2631 quoted was for 2 people, the family plan is more expensive than that. Can not remember the exact amount but $250 - $300 more per month sounds about right.

**mudflap560** · 10-05-2010

Originally Posted by x475

Thanks Mudflap for a good link and info!

You're welcome. I've been through the COBRA process and without the real facts, you are dead in the water if you encounter a problem.

**2631** · 10-05-2010

Originally Posted by mudflap560

You are correct slave, what 2631 quoted was for 2 people, the family plan is more expensive than that. Can not remember the exact amount but $250 - $300 more per month sounds about right.

mudflap, the family rate for COBRA from our fund is $1672.32 per month.

**mudflap560** · 10-05-2010

Originally Posted by 2631

mudflap, the family rate for COBRA from our fund is $1672.32 per month.

Thanks 2631, that's about a 50% insrease over the 2 person plan. It's no wonder few can afford it.

For what it's worth, I had an outpatient cardiac catherization the end of July. The bill was for $37,000. I had a $250.00 copay, the fund paid almost $17,000, the rest got written off, glad I had COBRA.

There are those who think they don't need no stinkin health insurance.