Question:
Does anyone have BCBS of MI/ Individual Policy and have to wait 6 months. . .

for surgery due to a pre-existing condition clause? One girl at BCBS said as long as I fit the criteria-no waiting period for this. Another girl from there said I WILL have to wait out the 180 days. Does anyone have a clue about this? I'm really stressing over this.    — lerli1 (posted on February 20, 2002)


February 20, 2002
It depends on the circumstances. I graduated from college in May, and before that had HAP through my mom (which does NOT cover the surgery, by the way). So, I changed my insurance to BCBSM. After waiting three months for the switch and sweating out whether I would be without insurance for the 2 months that would then screw me up, I found out that, since I didn't exhaust my COBRA benefits, I had to wait 6 months. I didn't know what COBRA was. Basically, it allows you to hold onto your current insurance coverage after being disqualified - like I was by no longer being a student.) This was worthless to me - not only was it astronomical - it was a continuation of HAP which I didn't want anyway. So, I had to wait the 6 months. However, I think that if you have exhausted any cobra benefits you may be eligible for and are not without insurance for more than two months, you should be able to forgo the 6 month waiting period. My 6 months just ended today!!!
   — Any78way

February 25, 2002
I have BCBS of MI even though I live in california and I did not have a waiting period. Call the 800 # and ask as many questions as you can think of but remember to have your diagnostic code from your Dr's office. Make sure that you ask them if they have a pre-exsisting clause for your plan also, if so that may be where you waiting period comes from.
   — shirley S.

February 25, 2002
Check with your state's Insurance Commission or Insurance Division (or something similar). Some states have specific laws on pre-existing condition clauses. Lots of times if you have one insurance plan and change to another, the pre-existing condition clause is not legal. Again, this is some states. Most insurance laws are made by state legislatures so it can vary from one state to another.
   — garw




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