As of (today?) I no longer have health insurance

[sniffa]

I heard the rumor today that one of my coworker's received a letter saying his insurance was canceled because our employer stopped paying their portion. Today, when I got home, I had the same letter. Apparently, I've been uninsured since May 15, at the earliest.

How bad a sign is this? The industry in general is hurting bad, and I survived a massive layoff at the start of the year, so I know times are tough. What should I expect to follow, if anyone knows?

I also think they've been doing a "rolling" pay cycle here and there, including me twice (Once in March, and just 2 weeks ago) - where I get paid a day or more late.

[PeaceNikki]

1. Have they been deducting your portion for insurance this whole time?

[sniffa]

3. Yes, they have

In fact, the letter I got from my insurance company stated that I could get their "temporary coverage" to cover me for the dates 5/15-7/15 if I pay my company's portion (over $1000) within 60 days of the day I received the letter on 7/7. If I hurry, I'll insure myself for maybe 7 days.

[PeaceNikki]

4. WoW!!

That's bad.

Check into the insurance portability laws in your state. Many make it difficult to get coverage elsewhere after a 60 day lapse (which you've almost reached). They have seriously fucked you all over.

I'm so sorry. :( Is your wife covered on your plan as well?

[bicentennial_baby]

5. No, I have insurance through my university

Thankfully.

[PeaceNikki]

6. Well, that's good at least.

But, still... that's fucked up. And maybe illegal?

A former employer of mine did that (though I was not covered through them at the time). They also deducted 401k money and did not deposit into accounts. THAT got them in serious trouble with the Feds.

What if he decides NOT to pay the company's portion? Does he get his portion of premiums back? Did employer keep that or give to insurance company?

[TZ]

8. I think this company is about to declare a form of bankrupcy

And unfortunately doing that protects them from creditors, AND probably from actions from the employees. Desperate companies (which is what this sounds like) do some really slimy stuff to the employees..sadly I know waay too much about this from friends caught up in crap like this.

[TZ]

9. dupe

[yellowdogintexas]

16. you should be able to add him as a dependent RIGHT NOW without any

issues because this is a qualifying event. You do not have to wait until open enrollment. First thing tomorrow, call the carrier for the university's insurance plan, or speak with someone in the student office.

To avoid pre exisiting and other bullshit stuff you need to do it before July 15

[mainegreen]

18. Yes, yes, yes.

Do what the above post says! Get a HIPAA cert and join your wife's plan now!

[yellowdogintexas]

19. in fact, the HIIPPA cert should already be in their hands. The LAW requires it

to be sent to the employee within 30 days of the end date of coverage.

These people are SO in violation of the law here.

[TZ]

2. Thats bad.

The no insurance thing is bad enough..but it sounds like your company is doing some last ditch efforts to stave off bankrupcy.
This sounds like a precurser to MASSIVE layoffs..The paying late is a HUGE sign of a company in trouble.
I would start looking NOW....
:hug:

[sniffa]

17. Another question then, if you or anyone knows

What would bankruptcy do to their existing contracts? They have some that are long-term commitments. My current contract is predicted to last about 5 years (this being the first), sans the snow months?

Also, is their anyway they can avoid paying an employee via that?

[TZ]

20. Check your state laws..

I think it depends on what form of bankrupcy they declare..If its chapter 11 you MIGHT be okay..Thats reorginization and its basically forgiving debt so the company can stay afloat..If they declare chapter 7--which is liquidation, all debts are off, I think.
Most of the companies who have declared that I am familiar with are Chapter 11 --and they have undergone DRASTIC cuts and downsizing. Chapter 7 is end of the road for everybody.

[wain]

7. find another employer as fast as you can

Check with a state agency for your employer violating any laws.

Your employer is untrustworthy and is not being forthright with its employees. On-time payment of payroll is sacred and should NEVER be late, delayed or missed.

[Parche]

10. I dont have any either

Just living in the USA

I bet the Iraqi's do tho..............:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :hi:

[SOteric]

11. That is a sign that your employer

is circling the bowl.

Brush up the CV and start feeding the Monster.

[sniffa]

12. I just fired off an email to a former coworker

who's at a company that is surviving the downturn quite spectacularly compared to every other company. I have several former coworkers there now, so I'm hoping that's my in. I just hate coming from a position of weakness though. :(

[SOteric]

13. You're still employed, -

at least at this point, - so I don't feel it's really a position of weakness for you, just not one where you've got your usual level of confidence.

I'll send some employment vibes your way.

[Gormy Cuss]

14. Two action steps:

First, call or email the MA insurance division and ask for resources on how to handle this.
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ocamodulechunk&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Our+Agencies+and+Divisions&L3=Division+of+Insurance&sid=Eoca&b=terminalcontent&f=doi_ConsumerService&csid=Eoca

Second, call the appropriate person at your employer and ask them why you got this letter. Although it sounds bad, sometimes it's just a screw up at one end or the other. One place where I worked went into a panic when someone came back from a morning break saying that his paper payroll check was rejected at the bank because of insufficient funds. Turned out that the bank hadn't flag the account properly and an auto transfer hadn't gone through until later than afternoon. Since most people had direct deposit and the funds would have been available that same day it would have been a blip if not for the old-fashioned guy who liked to get a real check.

[sniffa]

15. There doesn't seem to be an email option

:/

I'm most likely going to go into the office tomorrow (I work in our Boston branch) to speak with our branch's chief.