Job change and health insurance coverage for the gap?
June 25, 2013 4:22 PM Subscribe
I am currently employed full time with group health insurance. I've accepted a new position at a different company starting August 1. If I put in my 2 weeks notice and quit on July 12, will I still be covered for the remainder of the month?
The new place will be signing me on to their insurance on the first day. That leaves a 19 day gap of unknown. If it matters, I'm currently paid every 2 weeks, and each paycheck includes a pre-tax deduction on medical/dental/vision insurance premiums.
For what it's worth, I figured I could use the remainder of July to get some chores done that most likely won't get addressed once I start the new job.
The new place will be signing me on to their insurance on the first day. That leaves a 19 day gap of unknown. If it matters, I'm currently paid every 2 weeks, and each paycheck includes a pre-tax deduction on medical/dental/vision insurance premiums.
For what it's worth, I figured I could use the remainder of July to get some chores done that most likely won't get addressed once I start the new job.
You'll have to check with your HR department, but many (most?) companies pay their premiums on a monthly basis, so your coverage would indeed extend through the end of your last month of employment.
This information may also be in your employee handbook or intranet. You could also try calling your insurance company if you really want to avoid talking to HR, but they might not have the best information to give you / it might very well get back to your HR that you asked anyway.
Also, what ThePinkSuperhero says about COBRA is correct, but it wouldn't be my first choice if planning to go to the dentist, etc. during the gap period.
posted by charmcityblues at 4:28 PM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
This information may also be in your employee handbook or intranet. You could also try calling your insurance company if you really want to avoid talking to HR, but they might not have the best information to give you / it might very well get back to your HR that you asked anyway.
Also, what ThePinkSuperhero says about COBRA is correct, but it wouldn't be my first choice if planning to go to the dentist, etc. during the gap period.
posted by charmcityblues at 4:28 PM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
TPS is correct.
You can elect COBRA during the gap if you need it, and it can apply retroactively to cover those 19 days should something unforseen come up.
posted by phunniemee at 4:28 PM on June 25, 2013
You can elect COBRA during the gap if you need it, and it can apply retroactively to cover those 19 days should something unforseen come up.
posted by phunniemee at 4:28 PM on June 25, 2013
Also, I forgot to mention that if you have accrued leave your company may allow you to extend your "employment" beyond your actual end date rather than cashing it out. This would also extend your insurance.
posted by charmcityblues at 4:29 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by charmcityblues at 4:29 PM on June 25, 2013
I am in the same boat as you, and while I haven't checked on my health insurance, I am waiting to take care of some dental appointments between my last day of work and the end of the month. I had a check up last month and asked them if I'd still be covered — they called my insurer for me and confirmed I am covered for dental insurance, at least, through July 31st. (They also said that's very typical.)
posted by adiabat at 4:45 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by adiabat at 4:45 PM on June 25, 2013
TPS is correct about COBRA, but charmcity is correct about payments. Every job I've left with health coverage says you're good until the end of the month as premiums are paid on a monthly basis.
posted by jourman2 at 4:46 PM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by jourman2 at 4:46 PM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
This is a question for HR. At my job 2 jobs ago, insurance started on the first of the month after I started employment, and ended on the last day of the month that I ended employment. At my last job, insurance started the day I started employment and ended the day I ended employment (so I actually had double coverage for the better part of a month because of my end and start dates). It is back to being like the first job at my current job (so between last job and this job I had a 3-week insurance gap).
As people have said, you can get COBRA retroactively, so if something Terribly Expensive happens, you will at least have the ability to get coverage. If is not at all a cheap way to do your annual physical, see the dentist, etc though.
Talk to HR or whoever handles payroll or insurance at your company. They will know.
posted by brainmouse at 4:46 PM on June 25, 2013
As people have said, you can get COBRA retroactively, so if something Terribly Expensive happens, you will at least have the ability to get coverage. If is not at all a cheap way to do your annual physical, see the dentist, etc though.
Talk to HR or whoever handles payroll or insurance at your company. They will know.
posted by brainmouse at 4:46 PM on June 25, 2013
I'd talk to your employer and see if the health coverage goes through to the end of the month. Usually it goes in increments by month. Everytime I've left a job, it went to the end of whatever month it was. But you should ask.
If not, you could get retroactive coverage through COBRA, which would mean your previous insurance would carry over. You have 60 days to opt in, so I think you'd be able to go that two weeks without any coverage and then only opt in if it turned out you needed it. But for two weeks, I'd really just try to hold off on getting any prescriptions or lab work or anything until your new job starts.
posted by AppleTurnover at 4:54 PM on June 25, 2013
If not, you could get retroactive coverage through COBRA, which would mean your previous insurance would carry over. You have 60 days to opt in, so I think you'd be able to go that two weeks without any coverage and then only opt in if it turned out you needed it. But for two weeks, I'd really just try to hold off on getting any prescriptions or lab work or anything until your new job starts.
posted by AppleTurnover at 4:54 PM on June 25, 2013
Every job I've left with health coverage says you're good until the end of the month
... And every job I've ever left that had health coverage said it was terminated immediately as soon as I walked out the door, unless I bought COBRA.
Check with your HR department when you give notice.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 4:55 PM on June 25, 2013
... And every job I've ever left that had health coverage said it was terminated immediately as soon as I walked out the door, unless I bought COBRA.
Check with your HR department when you give notice.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 4:55 PM on June 25, 2013
Nthing the "talk to your HR department."
Also, if you have a FSA, you are probably entitled to all of the money in your account even though you are leaving well before the year is up. If this is the case for you (it was for me) now is the time to stock up on any prescription meds, glasses, contacts, etc.
posted by whenbynowandtreebyleaf at 4:59 PM on June 25, 2013
Also, if you have a FSA, you are probably entitled to all of the money in your account even though you are leaving well before the year is up. If this is the case for you (it was for me) now is the time to stock up on any prescription meds, glasses, contacts, etc.
posted by whenbynowandtreebyleaf at 4:59 PM on June 25, 2013
I'd talk to HR, but assume that it's going to be cut off the day after your employment ends. So, if you have doctor's appointments, prescriptions to be refilled, etc, by June 12th.
posted by spinifex23 at 5:11 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by spinifex23 at 5:11 PM on June 25, 2013
I've never heard 60 days to apply for COBRA post-departure, but I have heard 30 days, retroactive. -- you're definitely golden for 19 days, and most likely golden if the new job has to push you a week or something else. Get a price of COBRA and get whatever you need to apply from HR, and then weigh the cost of any interim treatment against the cost of a month of COBRA. Keep contact info for HR-- you might need other things. Payroll too.
If you have a Medical Savings Account, now's the time to use it-- you get the full amount you designated, not just the amount you put in, unless things have changed. You can use it for a lot of drugstore purchases (medical things, not magazines, I hope that's obvious) in addition to last-minute medical stuff. Spare glasses/contacts. Build a proper first aid kit for your new office, your car/bike/bag, your home.
Sick time is also a great thing to use now! Eye doctors, dentists, dermatology (it's time to remove that mole/wart/corn (podiatrist?)), vaccines (get your TDAP/MMR/Flu?/Chicken Pox/Shingles/Denge Fever (you never know!), etc.)
If you can transfer sick time to a coworker, as is allowed in some places, pick someone who'll need it-- new parents, pregnant parents (both parents!), chronically ill people, etc. Think if over.
Good luck on the new job.
posted by Sunburnt at 5:28 PM on June 25, 2013
If you have a Medical Savings Account, now's the time to use it-- you get the full amount you designated, not just the amount you put in, unless things have changed. You can use it for a lot of drugstore purchases (medical things, not magazines, I hope that's obvious) in addition to last-minute medical stuff. Spare glasses/contacts. Build a proper first aid kit for your new office, your car/bike/bag, your home.
Sick time is also a great thing to use now! Eye doctors, dentists, dermatology (it's time to remove that mole/wart/corn (podiatrist?)), vaccines (get your TDAP/MMR/Flu?/Chicken Pox/Shingles/Denge Fever (you never know!), etc.)
If you can transfer sick time to a coworker, as is allowed in some places, pick someone who'll need it-- new parents, pregnant parents (both parents!), chronically ill people, etc. Think if over.
Good luck on the new job.
posted by Sunburnt at 5:28 PM on June 25, 2013
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posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 4:26 PM on June 25, 2013 [8 favorites]