Question
Connie,
I asked this question over on the Law forum as I assumed you dealt with vehicle insurance. After reading some of the post here, I see my question should have been here.
I am retiring from a telecommunications company after thirty years of service. My medical benefits package is adequate for my coverage and my spouse is covered by her retirement benefits. I plan to train and drive for a couple of years before I completely retire. I do have a pre-existing condition and do not want to change from my current insurance plan (HMO). Is a new employee required to accept the carriers insurance plan if it is not needed? My condition is a kidney transplant which requires follow up (although it is getting less and less frequent). Thank God for miracles, but, I am perfectly healthy now. Thanks.
Bill
Answer
Bill,
My primary focus is Property and Casualty. We have a Life & Health consultant available to us.
But, I would recomend the following:
Contact your current provider and discuss your concerns. If you are covered on your wife's plan, check with them as well. DOCUMENT ALL CONVERSATIONS. Get names (including last name), phone extensions, etc. If they will continue to provide coverage, get it in writing. If they can't send you anything, then follow-up your phone discussions with a letter back to them summarizing your understanding of that discussion.
Then, when you're going through your recruiting process, discuss the health insurance issue. Preferably with the Insurance Dept. Get names, phone extensions and document everything.
Depending on the cost, you make want to keep your current coverage and overlap with theirs.
Again, Health Insurance is not my primary area of focus, but I do know that coverage varies from insurance carrier to insurance carrier. It is absolutely imperative that you be very thorough in your research.
Best of luck to you.