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Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

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CJC25
I luv My Daughter

Member since 9/05

1192 total posts

Name:
Jess

Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

The baby will have to be under my coverage. I Plan on adding him/her after the birth. I wil be covered for the 6 weeks I am on leave. I do not want to come back, but have not told them that I said that I would like to come back but I am not sure how it will be once the baby is here. I asked them about Cobra and they said it would proabbly be easier for me to just mail them a check to keep my medical because they think I am coming back. I want to get Cobra. So i plan on telling them that I am not sure how it is going to be so I want to make sure I have the coverage with cobra so incase I do not come back I know I am at least covered and more importantly that the baby is covered. They should make all arrangements for me to get Cobra right? I do not want them saying that I have to handle it like they did with the disability. I been crying all night because i am so overwhelmed and I feel like they are not helping me at all.

Posted 3/1/06 9:15 AM
 
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justme1
Proud SAHM

Member since 5/05

1955 total posts

Name:
Jodi

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

What is the cost difference between sending them a check for awhile while your on disabililty and going on cobra..
If its like a 500 or 1,000 dollar difference a month why dont you just keep the medical they are offereing you until your disabilty runs up and then they terminate you as an employee and then by law offer you cobra

Posted 3/1/06 9:18 AM
 

anon
where's winter?

Member since 11/05

2209 total posts

Name:

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

COBRA is only an option once you sever the relationship between you and your employer.

While you are technically still employed but out on leave, they may require you to pay your portion of coverage. Once you tell them you are not going back, then the COBRA kicks in if you elect the coverage. COBRA can be double what you currently contribute as what you are doing at that point is paying both your contribution and the contribution of the employer.

Posted 3/1/06 9:19 AM
 

CJC25
I luv My Daughter

Member since 9/05

1192 total posts

Name:
Jess

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

Because I know I am not coming back so I do not want to keep sending a check and then say I am not coming back. I know Cobra will be expensive but I just want to know I am covered for the time being.

Posted 3/1/06 9:19 AM
 

justme1
Proud SAHM

Member since 5/05

1955 total posts

Name:
Jodi

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

Then you have to tell them you arent coming back.
Thats the only way cobra kicks in.

Posted 3/1/06 9:21 AM
 

CJC25
I luv My Daughter

Member since 9/05

1192 total posts

Name:
Jess

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

Do you think they will take away my 6 weeks paid leave then?

Posted 3/1/06 9:22 AM
 

justme1
Proud SAHM

Member since 5/05

1955 total posts

Name:
Jodi

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

I dont know but I think your foolsih not to play things safely.
You really should pay them for medical.. and then when your 6 weeks materinty runs out that you tell them you decided not to return.
They say.. Ok, good luck and send you out cobra forms

You dont have anythng to worry about this way and save yourself thousands of dollars

Message edited 3/1/2006 9:25:53 AM.

Posted 3/1/06 9:25 AM
 

anon
where's winter?

Member since 11/05

2209 total posts

Name:

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

Posted by CJC25

Because I know I am not coming back so I do not want to keep sending a check and then say I am not coming back. I know Cobra will be expensive but I just want to know I am covered for the time being.

i would seriously run some numbers and understand what you would be getting yourself into...to me, the inconvenience of writing a check for a month or so outweighs the cost increase of COBRA. why do you not want to do this? are you worried about what your employer will think? do?

Posted 3/1/06 9:25 AM
 

Ali1
Mommy

Member since 8/05

3116 total posts

Name:

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

If you plan on being out for maternity leave and you get paid and don't come back afterwards i don't believe they can get your salary back...however they most probably will request you to pay your medical coverage for those 6 weeks back to them.

COBRA starts when you sever your relationship with your job. It goes for 18 months. Once you leave your job is required to send you a letter asking you if you want COBRA. I believe you have 90 days to respond. ONce you do, your job will most probably ask you to send a check to them every month and they will keep you on their plan, but you will be paying for yourself. If you do not receive a COBRA letter within a month of you leaving you can call and ask them to send it to you.

Posted 3/1/06 9:27 AM
 

CJC25
I luv My Daughter

Member since 9/05

1192 total posts

Name:
Jess

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

Yes I am afraid that after I take the time off and pay my medical through them and then say I am not coming back..I do not want to be but in that situation.

Posted 3/1/06 9:28 AM
 

justme1
Proud SAHM

Member since 5/05

1955 total posts

Name:
Jodi

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

I honeslty never heard of an employer wanting there money back.
You are employed by them.
Whatever they pay for you while you are employed how can they ask you for it back?
Plenty of woman dont go back to work.. do they all pay there maternity leave money back?

Posted 3/1/06 9:30 AM
 

Ali1
Mommy

Member since 8/05

3116 total posts

Name:

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

Posted by CJC25

Yes I am afraid that after I take the time off and pay my medical through them and then say I am not coming back..I do not want to be but in that situation.



I'm confused, you should not be put on COBRA until after you leave your company. Your job should continue your benefits (including medical) while out on maternity leave. You should not be paying your medical through them while out on maternity leave. That would start when you leave the company and COBRA starts.

Posted 3/1/06 9:31 AM
 

justme1
Proud SAHM

Member since 5/05

1955 total posts

Name:
Jodi

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

I think your making this to complicated for yourself..
As long as your paying them for medical and as long as you are employed.. you are entitled to that medical..
the day you call them and tell them you arent coming back is the day you are severing ties with them and going on cobra..
its really very simple

Posted 3/1/06 9:32 AM
 

BrunetteMom
LIF Adult

Member since 8/05

1480 total posts

Name:

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

When I was on leave (paid in full for 12 weeks; I was out on maternity leave for a total of 4 months), I continued to have my firm deduct the insurance costs from my paycheck, and then once the 12 weeks ran out and I was no longer being paid, I just mailed them the check for insurance.

I would send them a check for the health insurance til your leave is completed. (which I believe is a total of 12 weeks? 6 weeks paid, 6 weeks not (dis.). I wouldn't chance it and tell them that you are leaving now EVEN if you are planning on getting COBRA. If I recall from others on here who have COBRA, COBRA isn't cheap and it's a heck of alot more money than keeping the insurance that you are getting at work.

I also wouldn't jeorpardize the 6 weeks that you are getting paid by telling them that you are not coming back.

Message edited 3/1/2006 9:44:51 AM.

Posted 3/1/06 9:32 AM
 

CJC25
I luv My Daughter

Member since 9/05

1192 total posts

Name:
Jess

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

Ok so I should take my 6 weeks paid and make them think I am returning. Take my 6 weeks unpaid and during that time write them a check for my medical coverage. After my 12 weeks is up come back to work even if it is for a few days then tell them it is not working out and they then will offer me cobra?

Posted 3/1/06 9:40 AM
 

justme1
Proud SAHM

Member since 5/05

1955 total posts

Name:
Jodi

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

Posted by CJC25

Ok so I should take my 6 weeks paid and make them think I am returning. Take my 6 weeks unpaid and during that time write them a check for my medical coverage. After my 12 weeks is up come back to work even if it is for a few days then tell them it is not working out and they then will offer me cobra?



You dont have to really go back.
You can just tell them on the phone you arent returning.

Everything you just said though is excatly how most of us are saying you should do it

Posted 3/1/06 9:42 AM
 

Ali1
Mommy

Member since 8/05

3116 total posts

Name:

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

Posted by CJC25

Ok so I should take my 6 weeks paid and make them think I am returning. Take my 6 weeks unpaid and during that time write them a check for my medical coverage. After my 12 weeks is up come back to work even if it is for a few days then tell them it is not working out and they then will offer me cobra?



I gotcha now.....yes your COBRA starts after you ask to leave. The 6 weeks you are paying the medical insurance is not considered COBRA.

FYI - COBRA is very expensive. I advise you to go on DH's plan (if he has one) or look at other alternatives. You have to go by the plan you company is using and if the plan is a really good one for a family you are talking over a $1,000 a month.

Posted 3/1/06 9:42 AM
 

BrunetteMom
LIF Adult

Member since 8/05

1480 total posts

Name:

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

Posted by CJC25

Ok so I should take my 6 weeks paid and make them think I am returning. Take my 6 weeks unpaid and during that time write them a check for my medical coverage. After my 12 weeks is up come back to work even if it is for a few days then tell them it is not working out and they then will offer me cobra?



DING DING DING!! I know it sounds difficult, but it really isn't. TONS and TONS of people do this so you're not the first one. Just keep working and keep doing what you are doing. Once you are all done with your leave (paid and unpaid); then tell them that you are not returning and then you'll automatically receive notice from COBRA as to whether or not you want it. Good luck! Chat Icon

Posted 3/1/06 9:46 AM
 

CJC25
I luv My Daughter

Member since 9/05

1192 total posts

Name:
Jess

Re: Sorry but another question this time about Cobra.

Chat Icon Thank you so much girls. My fiance does not have medical right now..hopefully he will be able to get some before my leave ends. I really appreciate all your help..this has been so stressful since this company is so lazy and does not want to help me at all. Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon

Posted 3/1/06 10:00 AM
 
 

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