COBRA

PedsNP2007 · Dec 25, 2009

Hi,

I am curious as to COBRA for continuation of health benefits. I am currently employed by the medical college and I work at a children's hospital. Only full-time employees receive health benefits. Part-time does not.

I work a variety of shifts, mostly 15 hour nights. I have been there for 4 years now and have noticed my stamina and endurance have been effected over the years. It takes me much longer to bounce back after working a night shift.

I also am in school for a PhD and as much as my hours are cut from the standard 160 hrs to 110-120 hrs/month, I feel that it is still a lot of hours to work while trying to pursue a degree my physician bosses want me to get (I want it too). My bosses know of my CF and want to help me as much as they can, but even they can't truly reduce my hours so much without someone wondering why I am considered full-time while working less than full-time hours. With a PhD, I can get faculty status (in which I think part-time insurance is available) and also have less clinical time that drains me.

I also want so much from a personal life, ie a child, that there is not enough of me to go around.

I've thought of going part-time in a regular nursing job (in order to keep health insurance) and be able to go to school part-time and raise a child.

I did recall COBRA and have a few questions.

1. Is it true that (as long as you have a COBRA qualifying event) COBRA goes up to 18 months of coverage?

2. Is "a reduction in work hours" considered a COBRA qualifying event?

3. COBRA information is the same across all states? So being in both WI and IL, I will not have problems with COBRA coverage?

4. Is COBRA considered governmental assistance?

5. If I went back to full-time employment after 18 months of COBRA, did I just use up all my COBRA? So, could there be a next time to have to use COBRA from the same employeer? Ie. Max of 18 months of COBRA per employer?

I ultimately love my job, but the hours are becoming problematic. I don't want to use disability even if I qualified, at this point in my life.

Just curious if anyone can help.

Thanks, Jenn

PedsNP2007 · Dec 25, 2009

Hi,

I am curious as to COBRA for continuation of health benefits. I am currently employed by the medical college and I work at a children's hospital. Only full-time employees receive health benefits. Part-time does not.

I work a variety of shifts, mostly 15 hour nights. I have been there for 4 years now and have noticed my stamina and endurance have been effected over the years. It takes me much longer to bounce back after working a night shift.

I also am in school for a PhD and as much as my hours are cut from the standard 160 hrs to 110-120 hrs/month, I feel that it is still a lot of hours to work while trying to pursue a degree my physician bosses want me to get (I want it too). My bosses know of my CF and want to help me as much as they can, but even they can't truly reduce my hours so much without someone wondering why I am considered full-time while working less than full-time hours. With a PhD, I can get faculty status (in which I think part-time insurance is available) and also have less clinical time that drains me.

I also want so much from a personal life, ie a child, that there is not enough of me to go around.

I've thought of going part-time in a regular nursing job (in order to keep health insurance) and be able to go to school part-time and raise a child.

I did recall COBRA and have a few questions.

1. Is it true that (as long as you have a COBRA qualifying event) COBRA goes up to 18 months of coverage?

2. Is "a reduction in work hours" considered a COBRA qualifying event?

3. COBRA information is the same across all states? So being in both WI and IL, I will not have problems with COBRA coverage?

4. Is COBRA considered governmental assistance?

5. If I went back to full-time employment after 18 months of COBRA, did I just use up all my COBRA? So, could there be a next time to have to use COBRA from the same employeer? Ie. Max of 18 months of COBRA per employer?

I ultimately love my job, but the hours are becoming problematic. I don't want to use disability even if I qualified, at this point in my life.

Just curious if anyone can help.

Thanks, Jenn

PedsNP2007 · Dec 25, 2009

Hi,

I am curious as to COBRA for continuation of health benefits. I am currently employed by the medical college and I work at a children's hospital. Only full-time employees receive health benefits. Part-time does not.

I work a variety of shifts, mostly 15 hour nights. I have been there for 4 years now and have noticed my stamina and endurance have been effected over the years. It takes me much longer to bounce back after working a night shift.

I also am in school for a PhD and as much as my hours are cut from the standard 160 hrs to 110-120 hrs/month, I feel that it is still a lot of hours to work while trying to pursue a degree my physician bosses want me to get (I want it too). My bosses know of my CF and want to help me as much as they can, but even they can't truly reduce my hours so much without someone wondering why I am considered full-time while working less than full-time hours. With a PhD, I can get faculty status (in which I think part-time insurance is available) and also have less clinical time that drains me.

I also want so much from a personal life, ie a child, that there is not enough of me to go around.

I've thought of going part-time in a regular nursing job (in order to keep health insurance) and be able to go to school part-time and raise a child.

I did recall COBRA and have a few questions.

1. Is it true that (as long as you have a COBRA qualifying event) COBRA goes up to 18 months of coverage?

2. Is "a reduction in work hours" considered a COBRA qualifying event?

3. COBRA information is the same across all states? So being in both WI and IL, I will not have problems with COBRA coverage?

4. Is COBRA considered governmental assistance?

5. If I went back to full-time employment after 18 months of COBRA, did I just use up all my COBRA? So, could there be a next time to have to use COBRA from the same employeer? Ie. Max of 18 months of COBRA per employer?

I ultimately love my job, but the hours are becoming problematic. I don't want to use disability even if I qualified, at this point in my life.

Just curious if anyone can help.

Thanks, Jenn

PedsNP2007 · Dec 25, 2009

Hi,

I am curious as to COBRA for continuation of health benefits. I am currently employed by the medical college and I work at a children's hospital. Only full-time employees receive health benefits. Part-time does not.

I work a variety of shifts, mostly 15 hour nights. I have been there for 4 years now and have noticed my stamina and endurance have been effected over the years. It takes me much longer to bounce back after working a night shift.

I also am in school for a PhD and as much as my hours are cut from the standard 160 hrs to 110-120 hrs/month, I feel that it is still a lot of hours to work while trying to pursue a degree my physician bosses want me to get (I want it too). My bosses know of my CF and want to help me as much as they can, but even they can't truly reduce my hours so much without someone wondering why I am considered full-time while working less than full-time hours. With a PhD, I can get faculty status (in which I think part-time insurance is available) and also have less clinical time that drains me.

I also want so much from a personal life, ie a child, that there is not enough of me to go around.

I've thought of going part-time in a regular nursing job (in order to keep health insurance) and be able to go to school part-time and raise a child.

I did recall COBRA and have a few questions.

1. Is it true that (as long as you have a COBRA qualifying event) COBRA goes up to 18 months of coverage?

2. Is "a reduction in work hours" considered a COBRA qualifying event?

3. COBRA information is the same across all states? So being in both WI and IL, I will not have problems with COBRA coverage?

4. Is COBRA considered governmental assistance?

5. If I went back to full-time employment after 18 months of COBRA, did I just use up all my COBRA? So, could there be a next time to have to use COBRA from the same employeer? Ie. Max of 18 months of COBRA per employer?

I ultimately love my job, but the hours are becoming problematic. I don't want to use disability even if I qualified, at this point in my life.

Just curious if anyone can help.

Thanks, Jenn

PedsNP2007 · Dec 25, 2009

Hi,
 
 I am curious as to COBRA for continuation of health benefits. I am currently employed by the medical college and I work at a children's hospital. Only full-time employees receive health benefits. Part-time does not.
 
 I work a variety of shifts, mostly 15 hour nights. I have been there for 4 years now and have noticed my stamina and endurance have been effected over the years. It takes me much longer to bounce back after working a night shift.
 
 I also am in school for a PhD and as much as my hours are cut from the standard 160 hrs to 110-120 hrs/month, I feel that it is still a lot of hours to work while trying to pursue a degree my physician bosses want me to get (I want it too). My bosses know of my CF and want to help me as much as they can, but even they can't truly reduce my hours so much without someone wondering why I am considered full-time while working less than full-time hours. With a PhD, I can get faculty status (in which I think part-time insurance is available) and also have less clinical time that drains me.
 
 I also want so much from a personal life, ie a child, that there is not enough of me to go around.
 
 I've thought of going part-time in a regular nursing job (in order to keep health insurance) and be able to go to school part-time and raise a child.
 
 I did recall COBRA and have a few questions.
 
 1. Is it true that (as long as you have a COBRA qualifying event) COBRA goes up to 18 months of coverage?
 
 2. Is "a reduction in work hours" considered a COBRA qualifying event?
 
 3. COBRA information is the same across all states? So being in both WI and IL, I will not have problems with COBRA coverage?
 
 4. Is COBRA considered governmental assistance?
 
 
 5. If I went back to full-time employment after 18 months of COBRA, did I just use up all my COBRA? So, could there be a next time to have to use COBRA from the same employeer? Ie. Max of 18 months of COBRA per employer?
 
 I ultimately love my job, but the hours are becoming problematic. I don't want to use disability even if I qualified, at this point in my life.
 
 Just curious if anyone can help.
 
 Thanks, Jenn

JennifersHope · Dec 25, 2009

Right now is is an amazing time to go on COBRA, Obama just passed a COBRA law stating that the employer has to pay a very high percentage of the COBRA bill for the first nine months. I have been on COBRA for four months because I reduced my hours to eight a week and I am only paying less then 113 dollars month.

After nine months my insurance has the potential to go up to full COBRA price which I believe is 390 a month for my plan.

You can carry COBRA for 18 months unless of course you are applying for disability then the law allows you to keep it for 24 months.

JennifersHope · Dec 25, 2009

Right now is is an amazing time to go on COBRA, Obama just passed a COBRA law stating that the employer has to pay a very high percentage of the COBRA bill for the first nine months. I have been on COBRA for four months because I reduced my hours to eight a week and I am only paying less then 113 dollars month.

After nine months my insurance has the potential to go up to full COBRA price which I believe is 390 a month for my plan.

You can carry COBRA for 18 months unless of course you are applying for disability then the law allows you to keep it for 24 months.

JennifersHope · Dec 25, 2009

Right now is is an amazing time to go on COBRA, Obama just passed a COBRA law stating that the employer has to pay a very high percentage of the COBRA bill for the first nine months. I have been on COBRA for four months because I reduced my hours to eight a week and I am only paying less then 113 dollars month.

After nine months my insurance has the potential to go up to full COBRA price which I believe is 390 a month for my plan.

You can carry COBRA for 18 months unless of course you are applying for disability then the law allows you to keep it for 24 months.

JennifersHope · Dec 25, 2009

Right now is is an amazing time to go on COBRA, Obama just passed a COBRA law stating that the employer has to pay a very high percentage of the COBRA bill for the first nine months. I have been on COBRA for four months because I reduced my hours to eight a week and I am only paying less then 113 dollars month.

After nine months my insurance has the potential to go up to full COBRA price which I believe is 390 a month for my plan.

You can carry COBRA for 18 months unless of course you are applying for disability then the law allows you to keep it for 24 months.

JennifersHope · Dec 25, 2009

Right now is is an amazing time to go on COBRA, Obama just passed a COBRA law stating that the employer has to pay a very high percentage of the COBRA bill for the first nine months. I have been on COBRA for four months because I reduced my hours to eight a week and I am only paying less then 113 dollars month.
 
 After nine months my insurance has the potential to go up to full COBRA price which I believe is 390 a month for my plan.
 
 You can carry COBRA for 18 months unless of course you are applying for disability then the law allows you to keep it for 24 months.

PedsNP2007 · Dec 25, 2009

Hey Jennifer,

I saw that subsidized cobra. However, I am not yet at the point where it makes sense to go part-time and use the cobra.

Part of me thinks this will be a better choice for me in the future. I can go to 15 hrs/week, go to school, and care for a child (and me).

Once I get to the dissertation part of my PhD, I can then go back to "full-time" employment since I won't have set classes to attend. The classes now are random days so I can't work consecutive days so I am put on nights 99% of the time.

I figure that paying $1600 a month for a family is cheaper than getting a nanny full-time and the stress of working a lot, caring for a child, and going to school.

I am very happy to hear you are working part-time since it seemed very hard on you to work full-time. Have you noticed a change in your health since working reduced hours? I think you get the best of both worlds... ability to keep your nursing skills with a foot in the door and time to spend on your health at home.

Jenn

PedsNP2007 · Dec 25, 2009

Hey Jennifer,

I saw that subsidized cobra. However, I am not yet at the point where it makes sense to go part-time and use the cobra.

Part of me thinks this will be a better choice for me in the future. I can go to 15 hrs/week, go to school, and care for a child (and me).

Once I get to the dissertation part of my PhD, I can then go back to "full-time" employment since I won't have set classes to attend. The classes now are random days so I can't work consecutive days so I am put on nights 99% of the time.

I figure that paying $1600 a month for a family is cheaper than getting a nanny full-time and the stress of working a lot, caring for a child, and going to school.

I am very happy to hear you are working part-time since it seemed very hard on you to work full-time. Have you noticed a change in your health since working reduced hours? I think you get the best of both worlds... ability to keep your nursing skills with a foot in the door and time to spend on your health at home.

Jenn

PedsNP2007 · Dec 25, 2009

Hey Jennifer,

I saw that subsidized cobra. However, I am not yet at the point where it makes sense to go part-time and use the cobra.

Part of me thinks this will be a better choice for me in the future. I can go to 15 hrs/week, go to school, and care for a child (and me).

Once I get to the dissertation part of my PhD, I can then go back to "full-time" employment since I won't have set classes to attend. The classes now are random days so I can't work consecutive days so I am put on nights 99% of the time.

I figure that paying $1600 a month for a family is cheaper than getting a nanny full-time and the stress of working a lot, caring for a child, and going to school.

I am very happy to hear you are working part-time since it seemed very hard on you to work full-time. Have you noticed a change in your health since working reduced hours? I think you get the best of both worlds... ability to keep your nursing skills with a foot in the door and time to spend on your health at home.

Jenn

PedsNP2007 · Dec 25, 2009

Hey Jennifer,

I saw that subsidized cobra. However, I am not yet at the point where it makes sense to go part-time and use the cobra.

Part of me thinks this will be a better choice for me in the future. I can go to 15 hrs/week, go to school, and care for a child (and me).

Once I get to the dissertation part of my PhD, I can then go back to "full-time" employment since I won't have set classes to attend. The classes now are random days so I can't work consecutive days so I am put on nights 99% of the time.

I figure that paying $1600 a month for a family is cheaper than getting a nanny full-time and the stress of working a lot, caring for a child, and going to school.

I am very happy to hear you are working part-time since it seemed very hard on you to work full-time. Have you noticed a change in your health since working reduced hours? I think you get the best of both worlds... ability to keep your nursing skills with a foot in the door and time to spend on your health at home.

Jenn

PedsNP2007 · Dec 25, 2009

Hey Jennifer,
 
 I saw that subsidized cobra. However, I am not yet at the point where it makes sense to go part-time and use the cobra.
 
 Part of me thinks this will be a better choice for me in the future. I can go to 15 hrs/week, go to school, and care for a child (and me).
 
 Once I get to the dissertation part of my PhD, I can then go back to "full-time" employment since I won't have set classes to attend. The classes now are random days so I can't work consecutive days so I am put on nights 99% of the time.
 
 I figure that paying $1600 a month for a family is cheaper than getting a nanny full-time and the stress of working a lot, caring for a child, and going to school.
 
 I am very happy to hear you are working part-time since it seemed very hard on you to work full-time. Have you noticed a change in your health since working reduced hours? I think you get the best of both worlds... ability to keep your nursing skills with a foot in the door and time to spend on your health at home.
 
 Jenn

melx · Dec 25, 2009

Hi Jenn,
I am not sure this would apply to you. But I recently stopped working (exhausted all FMLA and Leave time) and can't get the subsidized COBRA. Because it was not an "involuntary" situation. (Like decline in health is voluntary!??) So I do have to pay about $1100 for hubby and self monthly. I believe COBRA is at least 18 months and 24 for those who are labeled "disabled" by SSA. I am not sure about your other questions. Also many years ago I went from 40hours a week to 32 hours (worked in Peds hospital as well) it was helpful. But, not nearly enough. (And I don't have children.) Now that I have stopped working I think I am WAY better able to take care of self . Prevention is key with us. And I don't feel spread out like jam anymore.
Take good care and good luck. Seasons Greetings to you.
Melony

melx · Dec 25, 2009

Hi Jenn,
I am not sure this would apply to you. But I recently stopped working (exhausted all FMLA and Leave time) and can't get the subsidized COBRA. Because it was not an "involuntary" situation. (Like decline in health is voluntary!??) So I do have to pay about $1100 for hubby and self monthly. I believe COBRA is at least 18 months and 24 for those who are labeled "disabled" by SSA. I am not sure about your other questions. Also many years ago I went from 40hours a week to 32 hours (worked in Peds hospital as well) it was helpful. But, not nearly enough. (And I don't have children.) Now that I have stopped working I think I am WAY better able to take care of self . Prevention is key with us. And I don't feel spread out like jam anymore.
Take good care and good luck. Seasons Greetings to you.
Melony

melx · Dec 25, 2009

Hi Jenn,
I am not sure this would apply to you. But I recently stopped working (exhausted all FMLA and Leave time) and can't get the subsidized COBRA. Because it was not an "involuntary" situation. (Like decline in health is voluntary!??) So I do have to pay about $1100 for hubby and self monthly. I believe COBRA is at least 18 months and 24 for those who are labeled "disabled" by SSA. I am not sure about your other questions. Also many years ago I went from 40hours a week to 32 hours (worked in Peds hospital as well) it was helpful. But, not nearly enough. (And I don't have children.) Now that I have stopped working I think I am WAY better able to take care of self . Prevention is key with us. And I don't feel spread out like jam anymore.
Take good care and good luck. Seasons Greetings to you.
Melony

melx · Dec 25, 2009

Hi Jenn,
I am not sure this would apply to you. But I recently stopped working (exhausted all FMLA and Leave time) and can't get the subsidized COBRA. Because it was not an "involuntary" situation. (Like decline in health is voluntary!??) So I do have to pay about $1100 for hubby and self monthly. I believe COBRA is at least 18 months and 24 for those who are labeled "disabled" by SSA. I am not sure about your other questions. Also many years ago I went from 40hours a week to 32 hours (worked in Peds hospital as well) it was helpful. But, not nearly enough. (And I don't have children.) Now that I have stopped working I think I am WAY better able to take care of self . Prevention is key with us. And I don't feel spread out like jam anymore.
Take good care and good luck. Seasons Greetings to you.
Melony

melx · Dec 25, 2009

Hi Jenn,
 I am not sure this would apply to you. But I recently stopped working (exhausted all FMLA and Leave time) and can't get the subsidized COBRA. Because it was not an "involuntary" situation. (Like decline in health is voluntary!??) So I do have to pay about $1100 for hubby and self monthly. I believe COBRA is at least 18 months and 24 for those who are labeled "disabled" by SSA. I am not sure about your other questions. Also many years ago I went from 40hours a week to 32 hours (worked in Peds hospital as well) it was helpful. But, not nearly enough. (And I don't have children.) Now that I have stopped working I think I am WAY better able to take care of self . Prevention is key with us. And I don't feel spread out like jam anymore.
 Take good care and good luck. Seasons Greetings to you.
 Melony

COBRA

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