Avoid Pre-Ex, Provide Prior Health Coverage

In order to prevent the hassle of an unnecessary pre-existing condition exclusion from your insurance plan, it is important complete the prior health coverage section of any insurance application. This applies to you if you are a new hire, joining the company plan for the first time, or if you are an existing employee because the company is considering a change to their policy carrier.  It is critical that you list correct information that documents ONE full year of previous insurance coverage. If you’ve had more than one coverage in the last 12 months, make sure you list that information as well.   This information includes, your prior insurance company’s name, the type of coverage you had, your prior policy number, your prior effective date, and the end date of that policy.  There will be times when the carrier will ask for a certificate of credible coverage that verifies the accuracy of the information. Most carriers will send these out after a termination is completed, but if you need one and don’t have it, you can contact the prior carrier to request it.

Certificate of Creditable Coverage- WHAT IS IT AND WHY DO I NEED IT?

"Certificate of Creditable Coverage" or commonly referred to as a "COCC" is a written document provided to you by an insurance company after you terminate their coverage.  Most healthcare programs impose a waiting period for a pre-existing condition for all new or reinstated members who have had a break of coverage for 63 days or more.  The certificate of creditable coverage indicates the length of time you have been continuously covered under the plan and allows waiver of any waiting period related to a pre-existing condition.  This is part of the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (often referred to as HIPAA) and this provision provides that once you have been continuously insured for at least 18 months there is no need to satisfy another waiting period when you change health insurance.
Certificates are generated automatically within a few weeks of a member's termination.  If you do not receive a Certificate by mail within 30 days of termination, contact the carrier by calling Member Services on the back of your ID card to verify your mailing address and request another Certificate to be sent.