[Klbabynow]

I posted this in two places, so I can get more feedbakc from people. I wasn't sure where to post. I have a question about insurances under my name. I currently work for a company that has multiple insurance plans with different companies. I have exhausted my current insurance company 20,000 was the max. I want to know if I can switch to another upon annual enrollement so that I am covered again...and do I need to wait a year before I can be covered for this treatment. My DH said that his insrnace company will cover me after one year of the policy. Has anything heard of this? and what is your xperience on changing coverage within your firm?

[agracie1]

Originally Posted by Klbabynow

I posted this in two places, so I can get more feedbakc from people. I wasn't sure where to post. I have a question about insurances under my name. I currently work for a company that has multiple insurance plans with different companies. I have exhausted my current insurance company 20,000 was the max. I want to know if I can switch to another upon annual enrollement so that I am covered again...and do I need to wait a year before I can be covered for this treatment. My DH said that his insrnace company will cover me after one year of the policy. Has anything heard of this? and what is your xperience on changing coverage within your firm?

Hi KL, I do have some experience with this. If you are thinking of switching your insurance plans because you have reached a lifetime maximum, first check to make sure the other plans cover infertility (and not just the diagnosis of fertility). Many plans just dont cover fertility treatments (IUI, IVF, ART, injectables, ect...). If the other plans do cover fertility treatments, check to see if they have a "pre-existing condition clause". This is either a dollar amount or a specific time period in which the insurance company is not obligated to pay claims for that pre-existing condition (infertility). Many plans will have a 6 month pre-exisiting condition clause, but sounds like your husbands plan has a 12 month pre-existing condition clause. Hope this helps and good luck to you!!!!

[Klbabynow]

Hi Gracie, Looks like we have same type of protocol, although I am going to be doing an IVF cycle, instead of an IUI. Good luck to you and thanks for answering the questons.

[chantalTTC]

Hi - when I looked into switching plans within my company, they all disallowed fertility benefits if you'd already hit your max lifetime limit (mine's also 20k) with another carrier. I doubt it'd be any different if you changed to be covered by your dh's plans, though I wonder how they'd know?

[Krista]

Originally Posted by agracie1

Hi KL, I do have some experience with this. If you are thinking of switching your insurance plans because you have reached a lifetime maximum, first check to make sure the other plans cover infertility (and not just the diagnosis of fertility). Many plans just dont cover fertility treatments (IUI, IVF, ART, injectables, ect...). If the other plans do cover fertility treatments, check to see if they have a "pre-existing condition clause". This is either a dollar amount or a specific time period in which the insurance company is not obligated to pay claims for that pre-existing condition (infertility). Many plans will have a 6 month pre-exisiting condition clause, but sounds like your husbands plan has a 12 month pre-existing condition clause. Hope this helps and good luck to you!!!!

Pre-existing condition clauses should only affect you if you had no previous insurance coverage. If you simply switch insurance that should not affect you. Please check w/ your HR office as state laws vary on this.

[Klbabynow]

I am confused by the comment that you cannot switch to another if you've alreday hit the maximum. isn't the benefit with the insurance company?

[Krista]

Originally Posted by Klbabynow

I am confused by the comment that you cannot switch to another if you've alreday hit the maximum. isn't the benefit with the insurance company?

If an employer is traditionally insured the maximums apply by the carrier.
If the employer is self insured then they apply the maximums to the person, not to the carrier.

I know it's confusing, you should ask your employer. Insurance can be challenging because there are SO many variables. If you don't want to specifically ask about IF you can always ask about another limited benefit- like chiropractic coverage.

[Klbabynow]

Thanks Krista, Looks like you and I are starting next cycle next Month and we are close in age. Good luck to you and thanks for the information.