| Posted By |
Message |
clwp
Love my girls!
Member since 10/06 2114 total posts
Name:
mommy
|
Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
So here's a question that I've been wondering about and we need to make a decision about by May 1.
So DH was laid off a few months ago and I have health insurance from my company so I added him during open enrollment and I planned on adding the baby to my coverage once he/she is born. Now he has a new job and we have the baby coming... Should both of us take on family coverage? My only fear is God for bid I lost my job then the baby's without insurance or we'd have to pay for COBRA. My plan is better than his and less expensive.
I wasn't sure if there'd be any real benefit to secondary coverage - plus his birthday comes first so his plan would be considered primary anyway. Regardless, what makes the most sense financially as well as realistically (we are in the same line of work and lay offs are always a strong possibility).
|
Posted 4/25/08 4:00 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
NinaLemon
It's a boy!!!
Member since 10/07 6453 total posts
Name:
Jeannine
|
Re: Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
I'd check with HR to see if a spouce losing a job/insurance is a life changing event? Generally, you can add people to insurance policies outside of open enrollment for a life changing event.
|
| Posted 4/25/08 4:04 PM |
| |
|
clwp
Love my girls!
Member since 10/06 2114 total posts
Name:
mommy
|
Re: Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
What are others doing if both spouses are offered insurance - do you both take it? I'm really referring to couples who are both in Corporate too - not to offend anyone, but Corporate is where people lose jobs most often. Most of my teacher friends have pretty steady jobs. Those of us in sales are a lot less stable. I already know that by the time I come back from my maternity leave my company will have begun the beginning phases of our upcoming realignment. Too many variables.
Message edited 4/25/2008 8:15:27 PM.
|
| Posted 4/25/08 4:15 PM |
| |
|
Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
|
Re: Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
Posted by NinaLemon
I'd check with HR to see if a spouce losing a job/insurance is a life changing event? Generally, you can add people to insurance policies outside of open enrollment for a life changing event.
In our case, it was. I was able to add DH when he lost his job and we were accommodated rather quickly. Good thing too because he needed medical attention more than once before he was covered again by his current employer.
NOW, my DH as better coverage than I do though mine is adequate. When I was TTC and thought that by some chance we may have needed IVF (covered under his plan and not mine), I went on his plan under family coverage during open enrollment as my secondary. Turns out, we got PG again that month and he COULDN'T take me off until this year's open enrollment.
We decided to to add the baby to HIS plan when she is born, which is both better and cheaper. I was told by the HR department at my job, that once the baby is born, she automatically goes under MY plan - I do not wish to pay for double family plans. So I must fill out forms that have her put on and taken off my plan. The day she is born, I am to call HR to put her on. The day we LEAVE the hospital, I have to call AGAIN and she is taken off. DH adds her to HIS plan as a "life changing event" that same day.
Very complicated but we simply cannot afford two family coverage programs.
Message edited 4/25/2008 4:18:03 PM.
|
| Posted 4/25/08 4:17 PM |
| |
|
neener1211
:-)
Member since 4/07 22952 total posts
Name:
J
|
Re: Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
My husband and I are both offered insurance. We are on my insurance. His would be more expensive, and I have been with my job longer. It was easy for me to add him to my policy bc of marriage, and we will be able to add baby to ours as well.
|
| Posted 4/25/08 4:18 PM |
| |
|
hmm8191
My loves
Member since 3/06 2908 total posts
Name:
Heather
|
Re: Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
A spouse losing a job and coverage is a qualifying life event. You have 30 days from the date of the event to add your spouse. I'm in HR and do a great deal of benefits.
This is for FSA accounts but is the standard all plans I know of use
qualifying life event
edited just because I want to be sure I am not sounding like a no it all, or like I'm telling you what to do.
You should def. check with your HR department and/or your insurance company to verify any/all of this information.
Message edited 4/25/2008 5:10:54 PM.
|
| Posted 4/25/08 4:19 PM |
| |
|
hmm8191
My loves
Member since 3/06 2908 total posts
Name:
Heather
|
Re: Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
Posted by Goldi0218
Posted by NinaLemon
I'd check with HR to see if a spouce losing a job/insurance is a life changing event? Generally, you can add people to insurance policies outside of open enrollment for a life changing event.
In our case, it was. I was able to add DH when he lost his job and we were accommodated rather quickly. Good thing too because he needed medical attention more than once before he was covered again by his current employer.
NOW, my DH as better coverage than I do though mine is adequate. When I was TTC and thought that by some chance we may have needed IVF (covered under his plan and not mine), I went on his plan under family coverage during open enrollment as my secondary. Turns out, we got PG again that month and he COULDN'T take me off until this year's open enrollment.
We decided to to add the baby to HIS plan when she is born, which is both better and cheaper. I was told by the HR department at my job, that once the baby is born, she automatically goes under MY plan - I do not wish to pay for double family plans. So I must fill out forms that have her put on and taken off my plan. The day she is born, I am to call HR to put her on. The day we LEAVE the hospital, I have to call AGAIN and she is taken off. DH adds her to HIS plan as a "life changing event" that same day.
Very complicated but we simply cannot afford two family coverage programs.
You shouldn't have to add and remove the baby from your plan. That's just silly. Your insurance company is going to assume that you have added the baby for the first 30 days but if you do not make an active election by that time they will go back and bounce all the claims. I'm def. not advising you to disregard what your HR people have told you, but it really sounds ridiculous to this HR lady!
|
| Posted 4/25/08 4:22 PM |
| |
|
Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
|
Re: Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
Posted by hmm8191
Posted by Goldi0218
Posted by NinaLemon
I'd check with HR to see if a spouce losing a job/insurance is a life changing event? Generally, you can add people to insurance policies outside of open enrollment for a life changing event.
In our case, it was. I was able to add DH when he lost his job and we were accommodated rather quickly. Good thing too because he needed medical attention more than once before he was covered again by his current employer.
NOW, my DH as better coverage than I do though mine is adequate. When I was TTC and thought that by some chance we may have needed IVF (covered under his plan and not mine), I went on his plan under family coverage during open enrollment as my secondary. Turns out, we got PG again that month and he COULDN'T take me off until this year's open enrollment.
We decided to to add the baby to HIS plan when she is born, which is both better and cheaper. I was told by the HR department at my job, that once the baby is born, she automatically goes under MY plan - I do not wish to pay for double family plans. So I must fill out forms that have her put on and taken off my plan. The day she is born, I am to call HR to put her on. The day we LEAVE the hospital, I have to call AGAIN and she is taken off. DH adds her to HIS plan as a "life changing event" that same day.
Very complicated but we simply cannot afford two family coverage programs.
You shouldn't have to add and remove the baby from your plan. That's just silly. Your insurance company is going to assume that you have added the baby for the first 30 days but if you do not make an active election by that time they will go back and bounce all the claims. I'm def. not advising you to disregard what your HR people have told you, but it really sounds ridiculous to this HR lady!
Thanks for letting me know. I am going to note this and ask my HR rep when i fill out my paperwork. That was very helpful to me!
|
| Posted 4/25/08 4:25 PM |
| |
|
NinaLemon
It's a boy!!!
Member since 10/07 6453 total posts
Name:
Jeannine
|
Re: Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
I work in Civil Engineering and DH runs network and telephony for a large insurance company, they may not be as volatile positions as a sales job, but the engineering industry can have periods of high layoffs.
That being said we only have DHs plan because it is far better than the one my company offers.
I believe the qualifying events are depends upon the policy/riders your company purchased from the insurance company.
These are qualifying events at my company:
Birth or adoption of a child
Marriage or Divorce
Legal Separation
Death
Spouse's change in insurance eligibility due to gain or loss of employment
Change in your employment status (Full-time to part-time)
Dependent loses or gains insurance eligibility
|
| Posted 4/25/08 4:54 PM |
| |
|
mrspetunia77
Back on Board.
Member since 10/06 1838 total posts
Name:
Ally
|
Re: Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
we put the baby on dh's plan because we like their choice of pediatrician's better. my insurance is free through the city of new york so i am staying on it and adding the baby, too.
|
| Posted 4/25/08 4:57 PM |
| |
|
FelAndJon
needs to update her avatar pic
Member since 6/05 10212 total posts
Name:
Felice (aka LuckyBride2004)
|
Re: Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
When DH and I were getting married, we were going through all this as well. We decided to go on my plan due to the price and the actual plan being so much better. The question of "life changing event" came up and DH's HR department said that if I were to lose my job or for whatever reason no longer be eligible for insurance, it would be considered a life changing event. Before you make any finite decisions, check with both your HR departments on their policy. Also, if one insurance is considerably better, go with that. HI is so expensive to begin with, it is crazy to go with both policies.
As it turns out, I will only be on my plan until the end of June (I was laid off in January and that is when my severance runs out). Since I am pregnant, this affected us greatly. We haven't made any final decisions on choosing COBRA or his health insurance but we now have to go through all this again!
|
| Posted 4/25/08 5:00 PM |
| |
|
DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
|
Re: Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
Posted by clwp
I can tell you from my background in insurance... a spouse losing a job is not considered a Qualifying event. That's why I'm so concerned.
What are others doing if both spouses are offered insurance - do you both take it? I'm really referring to couples who are both in Corporate too - not to offend anyone, but Corporate is where people lose jobs most often. Most of my teacher friends have pretty steady jobs. Those of us in sales are a lot less stable. I already know that by the time I come back from my maternity leave my company will have begun the beginning phases of our upcoming realignment. Too many variables.
Really-because I was told it was a loss of coverage-for example we were covered under my DH's insurance to do IVF because they covered meds and my work's policy didn't. His comapny went out of business and I was able to get my insurance because we had a loss of coverage-I amn pretty sure it works that way if he was laid off/fired etc.
|
| Posted 4/25/08 5:30 PM |
| |
|
Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
|
Re: Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
Posted by hmm8191
A spouse losing a job and coverage is a qualifying life event. You have 30 days from the date of the event to add your spouse. I'm in HR and do a great deal of benefits.
This is for FSA accounts but is the standard all plans I know of use
qualifying life event
edited just because I want to be sure I am not sounding like a no it all, or like I'm telling you what to do.
You should def. check with your HR department and/or your insurance company to verify any/all of this information.
agreed. The loss of coverage due to loss of employment, thus losing coverage is a qualifying event. But I agree again to check with HR and your benefit dept.
|
| Posted 4/25/08 5:34 PM |
| |
|
wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
|
Re: Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
I believe legally you have a right to add a family member to insurance after an 'event' such as losing a job... even if it's not open enrollment time.
you merely need to document the 'event' (termination letter on company letterhead), prove your family IS your family (marriage license, birth certificate), and you can transfer your spouse and child onto your insurance.... Coverage will be retroactive to the 'event' date.
|
| Posted 4/25/08 5:48 PM |
| |
|
wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
|
Re: Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
Posted by clwp
I can tell you from my background in insurance... a spouse losing a job is not considered a Qualifying event. That's why I'm so concerned.
What are others doing if both spouses are offered insurance - do you both take it? I'm really referring to couples who are both in Corporate too - not to offend anyone, but Corporate is where people lose jobs most often. Most of my teacher friends have pretty steady jobs. Those of us in sales are a lot less stable. I already know that by the time I come back from my maternity leave my company will have begun the beginning phases of our upcoming realignment. Too many variables.
yes it is.... at least where I work. I had a period of 4 months w/o health insurance, and I was able to transfer to DH's.... I only had to supply doc's proving my position was terminated, and I previously received my insurance benefits through my former employer.
Message edited 4/25/2008 5:51:40 PM.
|
| Posted 4/25/08 5:50 PM |
| |
|
clwp
Love my girls!
Member since 10/06 2114 total posts
Name:
mommy
|
Re: Question - both spouses offered health insurance at work
When DH was downsized a few years ago I couldn't get him on my plan...
I just realized - probably b/c we weren't married yet... sorry about that - I tend to think we've had that document forever. Living together wasn't enough to get him covered - that was the reason...
Sorry - baby brain!
PS. I think we have decided that DH will opt out of his plan for now... and should we need it due to my becoming unemployed (God for bid) in the future, we will then revisit his company's offering.
However, I'm having DH call his HR department on Monday just to ensure that should I lose my job - or even just decide to no longer hold a job that includes health benefits - that we can at that point enroll with DH's plan.
Message edited 4/25/2008 8:27:18 PM.
|
| Posted 4/25/08 8:14 PM |
| |
|
