Last week, in Tip 665 (yes, I jumped a number), you learned about a friend (‘Alice’) who lost her husband just days before starting a new round of cancer treatment.

With spousal coverage through her now deceased husband’s employer, guess what happened next?

Literally while being prepped for surgery, her son learned his Mom’s health insurance had been cancelled. 

Thus, the title of today’s Tip.

Here’s what happened.

The HR Department where Alice’ husband worked had already notified their COBRA administrator of his death. That triggered an immediate termination of coverage pending the processing of a COBRA Election Notice. 

I explained to Alice’s son they had 60 days from the later of the “qualifying event” (in this case the passing of the employee), or the date the Notice is provided. Once the COBRA Election is returned, coverage is retroactively reinstated. (COBRA overview HERE.)

Calamity averted. 

Still, this is just another example of how people in a health crisis need an advocate. Would a Case Manager have helped in this situation?

Not sure. 

Which is why Tips readers like ‘Alice’ save my cell phone number.