Changing Medical Insurance

[CCDiscoB]

Are there any concerns when a pilot changes companies and subsequently changes medical insurance? What if a family member is undergoing an extended treatment program?

 

[KC-10 Driver]

I recently started with JetBlue, and the benefits package is great.

However, my new employer only offers one option for health insurance. And, unfortunately, the pediatrician my kids have been seeing for years does not accept this new insurance. So, now I have to choose whether to pay out of pocket to continue to use him, or find a new pediatrician. You may run into a problem like this.

Also, before I started at JetBlue, my son had minor surgery scheduled for a date after my start date. After looking into my benefits package, I found out that the new insurance wouldn't cover this surgery (due to it being a pre-existing condition, I presume). So, we had to move his surgery forward to a date when my family was still covered by our previous insurance. He wasn't exactly in an extended treatment program, but it is a similar situation.

Lastly, there is one other thing to watch out for. My JetBlue start date was October 7th. Before showing up for class, I had assumed that my health benefits would be effective on my start date, as they had been at my previous employer. After I showed up, I found out that the health benefits were not in effect until the first day of the following month (November 1st).

This could have bitten me in the a$$, because I had almost cancelled my previous insurance (a continuation of my USAirways plan, paid for by ALPA) effective on October 7th. Luckily, I had waited until I actually started at JetBlue to cancel my other insurance. Don't assume any new insurance will start coincident with your employment start date.

Do you have a new job lined up, CCDiscoB?

 

[airtoair]

Have you checked with your VA Medical facility. I recently put flying on a "Hiatus" to go back to school and therefore do not have medical insurance with my company. I get coverage from the VA which I assume with your military background will most likely cover you and perhaps to some degree your family. I had been very reluctant to do this, but the first time visiting the facility was quite impressed. It may be worth your time.

 

[CCDiscoB]

Bummer

KC-10 Driver

Thanks for the info. I had a feeling I was going to learn what I didn't want to hear, but information I needed to know. Nope, no job pending. I'm just doing some what if, like if FedEx calls next year.
My wife has breast cancer and is in the middle of treatment, which will probably last into the summer. Which says nothing about the medication she'll need for the next five years. I can't see any insurance wanting to take that on. Especially if it takes a turn for the worse.
It looks like I'm going to back-off the job search until I hear from FedEx or UPS.

 

[chperplt]

Best of luck to your wife!

 

[CCDiscoB]

Thanks

 

[ScaReal]

i second those best wishes for you and your wife..........i recommend you go talk to a professional counselor or some one in the health care industry you trust (obviously be careful of 'consultants' who are primarily brokers for specific insurance companies)...........having been through this airline life cycle recently with a family member with a pre-existing condition, i was still able to get immediate coverage when i was called back, because the intermediate coverage while i was furloughed (read that unemployed to the rest of the world) was continuous from the date of the termination of the last plan to the start of the next...........the main thing you have to avoid is what they call a 'gap in coverage' which then allows the next insurance company to put qualifications on coverage of pre-existing conditions, and although a general waiting period is 90 days, the time is totally subjective and is determined by the insurance company upon application...........another source of information is at your state health department..........many states offer iterim insurance just for those who are unable to get coverage for pre-existing conditions elsewhere........hope this helps a little.......good luck.

 

[RightBettor]

Most companies have new employees enroll under "open enrollment," and pre-existing conditions are generally waived as long as you enroll during this period. Typically, based on prior experiences, you have to enroll in the company health plan within the first 30 days of employment. Obviously most pilots enroll on the first day of class.

Each company has different limitations on when coverage becomes effective (i.e. JetBlue effective on the first day of the next month after DOH). Check with what ever company you plan to start working with, and find out about thier open enrollment period and pre-existing conditions clause.

Best regards to you and your wife.