Comments on: COBRA Changes – Premium Reduction Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 http://genxfinance.com/cobra-changes-premium-reduction-under-the-american-recovery-and-reinvestment-act-of-2009/ Helping a unique generation achieve financial independence. Fri, 25 May 2012 01:07:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Ella Nelson http://genxfinance.com/cobra-changes-premium-reduction-under-the-american-recovery-and-reinvestment-act-of-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-225620 Ella Nelson Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:53:34 +0000 http://genxfinance.com/?p=1362#comment-225620 Seems Cobra is now expensive? What had happened? Seems Cobra is now expensive? What had happened?

]]> By: ann schult http://genxfinance.com/cobra-changes-premium-reduction-under-the-american-recovery-and-reinvestment-act-of-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-114161 ann schult Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:56:48 +0000 http://genxfinance.com/?p=1362#comment-114161 I pay for BC billed to me by my former employer, a Wall Street Law firm; same premium as an active employee. Unfortunately Medicare is primary and BC seconday so it works out to a Medigap policy in most instances ann I pay for BC billed to me by my former employer, a Wall Street Law firm; same premium as an active employee. Unfortunately Medicare is primary and BC seconday so it works out to a Medigap policy in most instances ann

]]> By: Jeremy http://genxfinance.com/cobra-changes-premium-reduction-under-the-american-recovery-and-reinvestment-act-of-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-110706 Jeremy Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:50:05 +0000 http://genxfinance.com/?p=1362#comment-110706 John, I don't have any of the specifics and I just posted the summary information that was provided to me. But if you need help to see if you qualify, your first contact should be directly with the benefits advisors at the Department of Labor. COBRA questions can be directed to: 1.866.444.3272. The DOL site also states: "Individuals who request treatment as an assistance eligible individual and are denied such treatment by their group health plan may have the right to appeal to the Department. The Department is currently developing a process and an official application form that will be required to be completed for appeals." So, I don't think you're alone in having trouble getting this issue resolved, but I'm not sure what the best course of action would be. Hopefully someone at the DOL 800 number can assist further, and if you still have trouble, the appeal process may be an option once it has been established. John, I don’t have any of the specifics and I just posted the summary information that was provided to me. But if you need help to see if you qualify, your first contact should be directly with the benefits advisors at the Department of Labor. COBRA questions can be directed to: 1.866.444.3272.

The DOL site also states: “Individuals who request treatment as an assistance eligible individual and are denied such treatment by their group health plan may have the right to appeal to the Department. The Department is currently developing a process and an official application form that will be required to be completed for appeals.”

So, I don’t think you’re alone in having trouble getting this issue resolved, but I’m not sure what the best course of action would be. Hopefully someone at the DOL 800 number can assist further, and if you still have trouble, the appeal process may be an option once it has been established.

]]> By: John WIlliams http://genxfinance.com/cobra-changes-premium-reduction-under-the-american-recovery-and-reinvestment-act-of-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-110704 John WIlliams Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:41:53 +0000 http://genxfinance.com/?p=1362#comment-110704 Everyone I contact concerning my eliegibility for the 65% reduction in Cobra provides me with a non-personal generic message. I need you to review my situation and need your help. I believe that I am part of the group that this bill was designed to help, but I am not being included. There must be an appeal process or someway that you can look at exceptions for specific individuals. I am being left out and ignored. I have never complained about policies and the decisions made by our government, but please look at my situation. As I stated earlier, I involuntarily left my job at Monarch Healthcare in July 2008. After my job search, I found another position at Neudesic, however due to canceled contracts, I was laid off again in October 2009. I was not at Neudesic long enough for medical coverage, so I continued COBRA coverage from Monarch Healthcare. To qualify for the Cobra reduction, I read that you must meet the following '3' requirements: 1. Must be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage at any time during the period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009. • My continuation coverage was from Monarch Healthcare, but I was laid off again from Neudesic during this period (October 2009), so I have met this requirement. 2. Elects COBRA coverage when first offered or during the additional election period. • I signed up immediately for Cobra coverage when first offered it by Monarch. 3. Has a qualifying event which is employee’s involuntary termination during the period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009. • I was involuntarily laid off from Neudesic LLC in October 2008. My concern is that I have Cobra from Monarch Healthcare, but NOT from Neudesic LLC. I will NOT be on the list that Monarch Healthcare submits for individuals that qualify for this reduction. I will also NOT be on Neudesic’s list because I was NOT there long enough. After all the fanfare about this act helping unemployed workers and to be disqualified because Cobra coverage started in July and not October. Even though I was laid off in October is terrible. I know that neither Monarch or Neudesic will be submitting my name. At this point , my financial condition is getting worse and worse. More and more companies are canceling positions and continuing to layoff personnel. I thought this act was written to help families like mine. I really need to receive a reduction in Cobra. Healthcare is very expensive and my wife is recovering from breast cancer and I know I will have to pay the price for Cobra no matter how high it is. Your help on this would be appreciated. Thank you. John R. Williams 5 Amato Mission Viejo, CA jrwilliams@cox.net Everyone I contact concerning my eliegibility for the 65% reduction in Cobra provides me with a non-personal generic message. I need you to review my situation and need your help. I believe that I am part of the group that this bill was designed to help, but I am not being included. There must be an appeal process or someway that you can look at exceptions for specific individuals. I am being left out and ignored. I have never complained about policies and the decisions made by our government, but please look at my situation.

As I stated earlier, I involuntarily left my job at Monarch Healthcare in July 2008. After my job search, I found another position at Neudesic, however due to canceled contracts, I was laid off again in October 2009. I was not at Neudesic long enough for medical coverage, so I continued COBRA coverage from Monarch Healthcare. To qualify for the Cobra reduction, I read that you must meet the following ’3′ requirements:

1. Must be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage at any time during the period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009.
• My continuation coverage was from Monarch Healthcare, but I was laid off again from Neudesic during this period (October 2009), so I have met this requirement.
2. Elects COBRA coverage when first offered or during the additional election period.
• I signed up immediately for Cobra coverage when first offered it by Monarch.

3. Has a qualifying event which is employee’s involuntary termination during the period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009.
• I was involuntarily laid off from Neudesic LLC in October 2008.

My concern is that I have Cobra from Monarch Healthcare, but NOT from Neudesic LLC. I will NOT be on the list that Monarch Healthcare submits for individuals that qualify for this reduction. I will also NOT be on Neudesic’s list because I was NOT there long enough.

After all the fanfare about this act helping unemployed workers and to be disqualified because Cobra coverage started in July and not October. Even though I was laid off in October is terrible. I know that neither Monarch or Neudesic will be submitting my name.

At this point , my financial condition is getting worse and worse. More and more companies are canceling positions and continuing to layoff personnel. I thought this act was written to help families like mine. I really need to receive a reduction in Cobra. Healthcare is very expensive and my wife is recovering from breast cancer and I know I will have to pay the price for Cobra no matter how high it is.

Your help on this would be appreciated.

Thank you.

John R. Williams
5 Amato
Mission Viejo, CA
jrwilliams@cox.net

]]> By: Evan Powell http://genxfinance.com/cobra-changes-premium-reduction-under-the-american-recovery-and-reinvestment-act-of-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-110166 Evan Powell Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:51:14 +0000 http://genxfinance.com/?p=1362#comment-110166 Wow, I'm on COBRA now from a job change. I paid $412 last month. I'm going to have to read about this some more because I think you just saved me a ton of money! Thanks! Wow, I’m on COBRA now from a job change. I paid $412 last month. I’m going to have to read about this some more because I think you just saved me a ton of money! Thanks!

]]> By: joel http://genxfinance.com/cobra-changes-premium-reduction-under-the-american-recovery-and-reinvestment-act-of-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-109652 joel Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:44:05 +0000 http://genxfinance.com/?p=1362#comment-109652 The cost you see as an employee is 50% to 100% less, not 2-5%. I sell ins. People not realizing what health care cost is the exact reason why costare out of control. Many people will find out soon with job loses. The cost you see as an employee is 50% to 100% less, not 2-5%. I sell ins. People not realizing what health care cost is the exact reason why costare out of control. Many people will find out soon with job loses.

]]> By: Zblakey http://genxfinance.com/cobra-changes-premium-reduction-under-the-american-recovery-and-reinvestment-act-of-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-108422 Zblakey Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:06:30 +0000 http://genxfinance.com/?p=1362#comment-108422 More expensive, I think employers are allowed a 2-5% 'up charge' over what you may have paid for insurance as an employee. With the 65% reduction, this will be a deal if you qualify. At least for nine months anyway! More expensive, I think employers are allowed a 2-5% ‘up charge’ over what you may have paid for insurance as an employee. With the 65% reduction, this will be a deal if you qualify. At least for nine months anyway!

]]> By: Eves Bank http://genxfinance.com/cobra-changes-premium-reduction-under-the-american-recovery-and-reinvestment-act-of-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-108316 Eves Bank Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:22:24 +0000 http://genxfinance.com/?p=1362#comment-108316 It may be a bit more expensive, but it is still better to be insured should anything happen. It may be a bit more expensive, but it is still better to be insured should anything happen.

]]> By: financePHI http://genxfinance.com/cobra-changes-premium-reduction-under-the-american-recovery-and-reinvestment-act-of-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-108310 financePHI Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:57:50 +0000 http://genxfinance.com/?p=1362#comment-108310 Although this is welcomed news, I've heard that Cobra is very expensive. Although this is welcomed news, I’ve heard that Cobra is very expensive.

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