Seth.....here's a suggestion.....A few more days is not going to affect the medical condition, so make your insurance calls BEFORE you see a doctor for this condition. You can honestly say that no, you haven't seen a doctor since your insurance lapsed, and, as far as you know, your health remains the same. Perhaps there is a grace period that is longer than you think. Just play dumb. Don't lie, but don't say anything extra either.

If you don't have a record, they can't create a problem for you.

Don't wait too long, of course, but call on Monday and see if you can't get your same coverage back, claiming oversight.

I recently (before my cancer was diagnosed) applied for and finally got a new insur. policy, but I was denied at first because of some of my doctors' records. I made the observation then that if I had NOT taken good care of myself by going to doctors, I would not have had a record and would have had a much easier time getting the insurance.

Good Luck.