Question For SWA guys/girls

[commode Air]

I'm in a little situation. Expecting a baby in 3 months. I start SWA in 2 weeks. My wifes company just took a huge poop, Effective April 23 her company is no more. So she will loose all her health benefits. When would my health care coverage for her come into account. I remember reading something about waiting 30 days. Is that the case. PLEASE HELP NEED help.

I think I jinxed myself with her company going down the toilet with my AVATAR.

 

[Dangerkitty]

I'm in a little situation. Expecting a baby in 3 months. I start SWA in 2 weeks. My wifes company just took a huge poop, Effective April 23 her company is no more. So she will loose all her health benefits. When would my health care coverage for her come into account. I remember reading something about waiting 30 days. Is that the case. PLEASE HELP NEED help.

I think I jinxed myself with her company going down the toilet with my AVATAR.

Commode,

Besides being a pilot I am also a licensed Life and Health Insurance Agent. First off I would surely believe that a classy company like SWA would offer its employees Health Coverage on Day 1 of ground school. AA gave me health benefits the first day of school so I dont see why SWA would be any different.

However, please keep in mind that unless you are terminated with cause, (even if you quit voluntarily) you are still able to be covered under COBRA. It gets a little pricey but you and your wife will still have health insurance.

You might want to see if your wife is still covered under COBRA even though her company is going out of business. (To be quite honest I have never dealt with a situation like your wife's.)

Like I said in the beginning though I would imagine you get your benefits with SWA from day 1. I wouldn't sweat it too much.

DK

 

[Orionflyer]

I started at SWA two years ago with a 6-months pregnant wife (twins!!). Health coverage for you and the entire family starts on day one. For the first 30 days you (and family) are covered by what is called the "Regular" plan which provides coverage for everything, but at 80%. On day 31 (or 32, check on this) you switch to whatever "Benefits Plus" plan you select, ranging from HMO (United Healthcare) to plans for those not in a network area. Keep track of the day for the switch so you can schedule appts (ultrasound, checkup, etc.) accordingly. Bottom line - you are all covered from the start.

.....At least this is how it was 2 years ago!!

Congrats on the new baby and the new job. Good Luck!!

 

[SWA/FO]

You are covered dude.... try not to worry about it. Call the people department and ask them if you are still in doubt. The packet sent to you should specify the health coverage and start.

 

[saabcaptain]

You get basic family coverage day 1, and full coverage based on your selections 30 days later. Don't sweat it, it will be covered.

 

[SB Diver]

All this info helps. I'm a December interviewee waiting to start with a wife expecting in four months. Yikes!

 

[commode Air]

Thanks for all the info, you guys are the best.

 

[N1atEcon]

preggos

You pollies need to quit bouncing on your ladies and get your butts flying. All this materinty care cost big bucks ya know.

Congrads and see ya online...

 

[Juvat]

Baby is not covered until after 30 days!!!

I was just in this EXACT situation as a SWA newhire, so I can speak with 1) credibility, and 2) recent experience. The above posts are only partially correct. Yes, it's true that all of your **current** family members are covered by SWA's basic medical coverage on day one of training. However, your newborn baby is **not** covered at all until after the first 30 days of SWA employment. It is critical that you understand the ramifications here. Your wife can get all the prenatal and post partem care in the world. However, if heaven forbid, the baby needs to be hospitalized for some kind of problem, there is no coverage.

We were lucky--my wife had a baby just 2 days after the 30-day wait period, so the baby was born with full SWA coverage. Whew! Had the baby been born during the 30-day wait, we could have paid for COBRA insurance retroactively to cover anything needed. COBRA would have been expensive, but at least it would have helped to avert disaster.

My suggestions:

1. Don't trust life and death decisions and your family's financial future to a bunch of opinions presented at flightinfo.com (including mine). CALL SWA BENEFITS DEPARTMENT DIRECTLY. The SWA Benefits office is great. There are very helpful people in there just falling all over themselves to help you. No kidding. My wife called them several times, and they gave us the straight story.

2. Research your COBRA options. It could come in handy if your timing is off and you need something to fill the gap.

Good luck to you and your family, and CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[MSquared]

There must be something in the water at HPA or K&S or whatever. My wife is 4+ months and I start training in a week.

Thanks for the info.

M2...out

 

[chase]

Juvat...excellent advice on the healthcare issue, I wasn't aware of that "minor" but major loophole....not to say your child is a loophole ....congrats BTW on both the new arrival & coming to SWA....your 2nd bit of advice was even better....taking advice off this board from anyone....call the PD Benefit department & they'll give you the straight skinny....again congrats.

 

[FatesPawn]

I'll throw in my 2 cents about health care. I agree with everthing above. My wife and I looked at the "first 30 days" coverage that SWA offers. In our HUMBLE LAY-PERSON's opinion the insurance was just catestrophic coverage. Yes, it covers more than that, but if I had a choice, I'd try to COBRA your existing coverage for a month or 2 if you can. We had a 2 month old at the time and coverage was definitely a consideration.

I quit my job on the second of the month so we were covered through my previous company for the next 29 days. We only had to worry about the SWA-temp-coverage for a couple days. You won't get your insurance cards for about 45 days, so you may have to pay upfront for a some of your bills if the timing is off. Just remember, you're covered after 30 days so anything after that point will be covered... you just may have to pay first and submit your charges later.

Fate

 

[Indapool]

CONGRATS on the new arrival AND the class date!

Also no "pre-existing condition" limitations on your wifes pregnancy. If she is 3 months out you should be in great shape. Once you get closer to the due date make sure you let your chief pilot and sked know..they'll put you on "baby watch"..try to keep you close to home as the date approaches.

 

[commode Air]

Thanks for all the info guys. Going down there this saturday to start training. I think we timed it right. I might have two months in before hes born. Thanks again!