Archived Thread

NFT: New Job & Insurance

Gap92 : 8/1/2014 10:24 am

After 10 years with my company, I am ready for a change. However, I have a wife and two small kids and I don't want to have us be without insurance for a 3-6 month provisional period.

In your experience, how difficult is it to negotiate for insurance starting on day 1 with a new employer? I honestly have no idea if it's relatively easy or impossible. Note: my current title is Communications Director and I'll be looking for something similar or technical writing.

I never negotiated insurance

Blue Baller : 8/1/2014 10:26 am : link

What they offer is what you get

this has been with larger companies though

worst case scenario would be cobra from your old job

asbasb : 8/1/2014 10:26 am : link

someone once told that everything is negotiable.

EVERYTHING

even if they wont give you from teh company plan

asbasb : 8/1/2014 10:27 am : link

then negotiate cash to buy on teh open market for 6 months

EVERYTHING

If you are a company with 5,000+ employees

Blue Baller : 8/1/2014 10:28 am : link

they are not going to change the insurance plan for one person

Also, why leave your job before you find the new job?
That doesn't seem prudent

I just started a new job beginning of July

JB in BB : 8/1/2014 10:30 am : link

after 14 years with one company. And with my new company I was covered from day 1. Then I was able to enroll in my plan within a week and a half.

So it really depends on the company you go to. Though I would think most mid to large companies offer coverage on your first day. The company I left also offered coverage on your first day of employment. I would just ask about that during the recruitment process.

You can elect COBRA for the waiting period

Bockman : 8/1/2014 10:32 am : link

Also, be aware that PPACA limits waiting periods to 90 days.

Negotiating it will NOT happen. Waiting periods must be the same for all employees (or a defined class of employees) or else it could be considered discriminatory.

Source: I'm an employee benefits consultant

RE: If you are a company with 5,000+ employees

Gap92 : 8/1/2014 10:33 am : link

In comment 11789727 Blue Baller said:

Quote:

they are not going to change the insurance plan for one person

Also, why leave your job before you find the new job?
That doesn't seem prudent

Definitely not looking to leave before finding the right position

Thanks

Gap92 : 8/1/2014 10:35 am : link

So, it seems that different companies have different policies but the policies in place re: insurance are set in stone at each company. Makes sense and I appreciate the feedback.

I have changed jobs

pjcas18 : 8/1/2014 10:37 am : link

a few times, and never had a waiting period for insurance.

it has always been available from day 1.

Is this waiting period common?

Worst I have had is maybe 30 days before they find my name on the plan, but everything is retro to my start date and any claims get resubmitted.

Not being a dick, just not familiar with provisionary periods or waiting periods.

A lot of companies make you wait

CruzShip52 : 8/1/2014 10:43 am : link

30 days, they do not want to enroll you and in your first 30 days they decide you were not the right candidate

I am a financial advisor and sell insurance so maybe my business is different with the waiting period but most of my jobs have been the 30 day wait

Gap92 : 8/1/2014 10:47 am : link

My current company has a 3 month waiting/provisional period. I know of others that have the same or longer. I started at the company in my mid 20s without a ton of large company experience, so after 10 years I'm not sure what the "norm" is.

I've worked for 2 companies and I've always been covered day 1

Ben in Tampa : 8/1/2014 10:47 am : link

With the caveat that I had to enroll in a specific plan within the first week.

What Bockman said..

GiantWarrior : 8/1/2014 10:51 am : link

Just be aware that COBRA will be expensive for family coverage. Most employees do not realize how much the cost of their insurance actually is until they see their COBRA notification.

Re: pjcas18

GiantWarrior : 8/1/2014 10:56 am : link

Yes, waiting periods are very common. They can range anywhere from 0 to 90 days. In some (most cases) for administrative purposes a company will enroll you the first of the month following your waiting period. PPACA no longer allows a waiting period longer than 90 days so a first of the month following this would not work in this case.

That stinks

pjcas18 : 8/1/2014 11:11 am : link

if I were single big deal, I think my companies made a killing off me on medical plans from 21 - 28 or so.

once I got married and had kids I couldn't go 90 days without insurance. other things being equal (or close to it) it might even heavily influence my job choice.

The time will vary by employer and by state

pmmanning : 8/1/2014 1:49 pm : link

I'm guessing some of these guys covered from day one are not in New York. You can look into the state exchange's if COBRA is too much.

Good Luck