Question:
Will I have to start the waiting process all over?

I just quit my job on Dec. 31st. And my husband is putting me on his insurance which is BCBS, and that is the insurance I had. I had already been to a surgeon aobut the surgery and the insurance said I had to be at my job for one year...One year would be May 2, 2002. Will I have to wait another year before I can have the surgery or should my husbands insurance just pick up? I am having a hard time understanding how this will work. I need all the help I can get. I know that his insurance goes in effect this month. [email protected]    — April P. (posted on January 8, 2002)

January 8, 2002
Was it the actual insurance that stated the year long wait? Or was it the "policy" that your specific employer purchased through BCBS? I ask this because I worked for a health insurance company for several years and different employers could purchase different plans according to what they felt the needs of their employees were and what they were willing to spend. For example: All policies that I ever came across listed payment of medical issues not covered if the person tried to commit suicide. BUT, the Washington Federal Postal Employers purchased a policy that stated if you tried to commit suicide, all your medical bills would be covered. The bottom line is... within each health insurace company are several policies and options that can be picked up, dropped or changed by the employer. Check with your husbands plan, get the insurance info and call BCBS and you may find out the policy though your husbands employer is different than the one you had and that you don't have to wait a full year to have the surgery. At that time, if you find out the policy is indeed the same, then you can ask about having the year long wait waived or at least have the time you already have invested picked up so that you don't have such a long wait. Good luck!
   — Kellie Jo B.

January 8, 2002
Hi April, you probably want to start by getting a member handbook, or plan document (what ever you plan refers to) as the benefit book. Then really read the enrollment/eligibility section that is the area that will list any "wait" periods before you become effective. "usually" if the plan is already in effect and you are coming on as a dependent, there wont be a wait period. I believe the year wait you may be referring could be a pre existing exclusion period, and that would be listed in both exclusions and the definitions sections of the book. Also if you had prior coverage make sure you request your HIPPA certificate to submit to the new plan, even if they are the same HealthPlan, they sometimes dont share information amongst or between groups (employers). I hope that helps you sort through the process somewhat, I know it is is like maze at time. Take care,
   — Nene B.