Question about Cancelling Girlfriend’s Health Insurance After Our Baby’s Birth
My girlfriend and I welcomed our baby just a week ago! Now that our little one is here, we’re looking to switch both her and the baby to my more affordable health insurance plan through my employer.
To give you some background, my girlfriend has her own individual health insurance plan that she obtained through the Marketplace. It’s a great plan, but it’s quite costly, and she kept it to cover the expenses associated with the baby’s birth.
My main concern is whether it’s safe to go ahead and cancel her Marketplace plan now. Her plan has already billed for coverage for both her and the baby during the pregnancy and birth. If we terminate her plan, what will happen to those charges? Will they be rejected, and will we have to cover them under my insurance instead?
Thank you for your help!
It’s great to hear about the arrival of your baby! When it comes to health insurance, there are a few key points to consider in your situation.
Timing and Enrollment Periods: If you’re considering moving your girlfriend and your newborn onto your employer-sponsored plan, make sure you’re within the eligibility window. Generally, the birth of a child qualifies for a special enrollment period, meaning you can add your baby and girlfriend to your plan outside of the typical open enrollment period.
Cancelling the Marketplace Plan: If you choose to cancel your girlfriend’s Marketplace plan, it’s important to do so carefully. Typically, you can cancel your Marketplace coverage at any time, but be mindful of any pending claims or charges. Check with the Marketplace for any guidelines on how to proceed with cancellation.
Coverage Overlaps: If you cancel the Marketplace plan after your baby is born and you’re waiting on the start date for your employer plan, ensure that there won’t be any gap in coverage for either your girlfriend or the baby. It’s crucial that there’s continuous coverage to avoid high out-of-pocket costs for any medical services.
Billing and Charges: Usually, if you cancel the Marketplace plan, any charges that have already been billed (like for the birth) remain due, and you would be responsible for those costs. Your employer’s plan typically won’t retroactively cover expenses that occurred while they were enrolled in the Marketplace plan.
Confirm with Both Insurers: To avoid confusion, it might be beneficial for both you and your girlfriend to reach out to representatives from both the Marketplace plan and your employer’s health insurance provider. They can provide you with the necessary information on how to proceed without incurring extra charges.
In conclusion, while it is generally safe to terminate the Marketplace plan, you should ensure there are no gaps in coverage and that you’ve discussed potential consequences regarding billing with both insurers. Congratulations again on the new addition to your family!