Question:
Has Cobra (TX) ever covered anyones surgery?

I was terminated from my Job, July 26th and I was in the middle of waiting for a response from my insur. Co. for VBG. I think it has been approx:5 wks since the letter was sent to them. I am planning to get on the Cobra only because of the sx. I would like to know if it is even worth trying to get Cobra involved at this point, my Dr office has given me 2 different reponses on this question...HELP!!    — Sheryl K. (posted on August 19, 2000)

August 19, 2000
MY INS WAS DONE THRU A COBRA SO WAS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORH OF CHEMOTHERAPY. IT IS JUST REGULAR INS, IT JUST COST MORE, GOOD LUCK. SHIRLEY CALHOUN
   — Shirley C.

August 19, 2000
i was on cobra also, i was approved in only 2 days, don't give up! also, don't listen to what everyone else says, keep calling your insurance co. if you have to. good luck!
   — [Anonymous]

August 19, 2000
For the Person that was approved 2 days ago, please help me thru this process.. Was your surgery already in the process before you got on Cobra or did you start new with cobra? What state do you live in and what Insur. do you have? I could really use your help...Thanks
   — Sheryl K.

August 19, 2000
COBRA is simply the name of a law requiring employers to offer insurance coverage to people who have lost insurance either through termination of employment, reduction in hours or loss of eligibility (divorce). The coverage must be identical to that of regular employees. You will be required to pay up to 102% of the premium. Just make certain you are not late with payment of the premium because that is how you can get cancelled. I work in Employee Benefits and I administer our COBRA program. Your physician will not know that you have your insurance through COBRA and wouldn't care either way. They still get paid. Best of luck to you.
   — Cecelia R.

August 19, 2000
COBRA is not insurance. It is a federal program that was enacted to help people in temporary transition. You will have insurance through your old company. So if they cover it then you will get covered
   — snicklefritz

August 20, 2000
The insurance you have under COBRA will be the exact same insurance that you had prior. What the COBRA law allows you to do is continue with the same insurance policy for a certain period of time (usually 18 months, but can go to 36 months under certain conditions) by you paying the premium plus an administrative free (2%) instead of your employer paying the premium. Nothing about the insurance changes. So, if you had a policy under Aetna, you will have the same policy when you sign up under COBRA. The only thing that is different is who is paying the premium.
   — Gina E.

August 20, 2000
Dear Sheryl, I live in the Dallas area and Yes you can have WLS while on Cobra. I was terminated in April of 1999, but did not begin looking into WLS until March of this year. The origional Cobra period of 18 months is up mid October, My surgery is next Wednesday Aug 23rd. I asked for and have been granted an extension of Cobra benefits since I am now on Soc Sec Disability. I will now be covered under my same AETNA HMO plan until I am eligible for Medicare, or am working again and covered by another policy. If you cannot be covered as a dependent on a spouse's policy then COBRA is Definately worth the Money. In the long run it's cheaper to be covered by Medical insurance than not to be. If you are single and cannot afford Cobra, Texas Rehab has paid for WLS on occasion, but it could take a LONG time for approval & Processing. But I would recommend Cobra. You should have gotten the information about signing up for Cobra from your Human Resources Dept upon termination. If you didn't, call them ASAP, as you must sign up within 30days. Good Luck jumping through the hoops:) Sending Warm Healing Skinny thoughts to all:) ttfn 3days & counting:)
   — Barbara I.

August 20, 2000
I have Cobra Ins and they denied the surgery but my other ins. approved it. As far as I know your ins. om cobra is the same ploicy you had at the time you left your job. I would at least get it for a while. Hope this helps..... Wes [email protected]
   — dtpgoose

August 22, 2000
i was on cobra when i had my breast reduction/tummy tuck/hernia repair. they paid for the entire thing.
   — rebecca M.

November 1, 2000
Get the Cobra. I did and am having my surgery next week. Good luck
   — T M.

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