My company changing our benefits provider in January 2013

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Pbrain
Pbrain Member Posts: 863
edited June 2014 in Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues

And I was just diagnosed on September 26th.  I'm getting worried because the new provider will have to bear the cost of the chemo, Herceptin and radiation while the old one just gets the biopsy and lumpectomy.

Think they will turn me down for having a pre-existing condition? 

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  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited October 2012

    Your company should be able to answer that for you. Generally, the answer would be no, as companies negotiate favorable terms with insurers.

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  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 2,630
    edited October 2012

    Hello - I was forced to change ins companies too. 

    They CANNOT deny you as you are switching right along with everyone else in your company...this would be a severe form of discrimination.  Same goes for your premiums - they should match whatever any other person is paying for the same coverage.  Only if you were to drop them and try to get new coverage on your own would you run into brick walls....

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  • Katarina
    Katarina Member Posts: 386
    edited October 2012

    The new federal "affordable health care act" forbids insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. 

    Regardless, you have less to worry about being that you are "an employee".

    I'm sure my company wouldn't mind seeing me switch over to another provider they have on contract. Spread the love so to speak...

    Hugs

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  • Pbrain
    Pbrain Member Posts: 863
    edited October 2012

    Thanks fuzzy and Athena, I am petrified of the financial implications of this.  I've been such a fabulous risk for the insurers my whole working career, with only a few small outpatient hiccups and now I have this!  I work for Roche, the maker of Herceptin, and I found out today that while all Roche drugs are free to employees, the injectable ones are not :-(

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  • MadisoninMd
    MadisoninMd Member Posts: 87
    edited October 2012

    No.. you will be considered "grandfathered " into the new plan.. Bc and all.

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  • itsjustme10
    itsjustme10 Member Posts: 796
    edited October 2012

    HIPAA laws cover the switch.  You'll be fine.  Just make sure you save the form letter you'll get from you former insurer.

    When you go from 1 group plan to another, with no lapse in coverage, there is no waiting period.

    If you're really worried, speak with your HR department.  I'm sure that not only can they explain it better, but also that you are not the only employee there  with pre-existing condition concerns.

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  • amberzas
    amberzas Member Posts: 30
    edited October 2012

    They will send you a letter of creditable coverage in the mail before termination.  As long as you have this, even before ACA, they can't deny you for pre-existing condition.

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