Changing of Health Providers during COBRA

[Guest NeedsToKnowHeatlhCare]

My former employer, with whom I have health care coverage through, changed carriers mid-way through my COBRA. I was not notified of this change until 1 WEEK before the change over. I had already used 10 months of an 18 month COBRA policy, then it was changed. Would I be eligible for more than 8 months coverage under COBRA, since I didn't even get my Insurance card until 1 month after the new policy went into effect.?

[jsb]

Probably not. COBRA entitles you to 18 months of extension coverage. If the employer switches health carriers, you would go with the new carrier for the balance of your coverage. Be glad they didn't drop all coverage; in that case you would be out notwithstanding the fact that you only had 10 months of coverage. You may not have gotten the card, but you had the coverage. If major medical expenses had been incurred during the 1 month time period when you didn't have the new card, you would have been rightfully insisting on coverage.

Some states have laws that may entitle you to further extension of your coverage, though probably not at the same rate. Check with your former employer or health insurance carrier.

Good luck.