in this economy it is probably not very wise to consider changing locations and jobs when you have a good job ... BUT ... our family had planned to move to AZ from WA this month, and my diagnosis and treatment brought that to a scrreching halt.

Having said that, the weather changes this month have made my rheumatoid arthritis begin to flare bad again and I am remembering full wello why I wanted to move to the new climate so badly, as here in WA it gets bad from October thru to april due to the humidity / pressure etc.

Anyways ... once docs say it is okay to move from their care to the care of another, I would still like to do so BUT I have a concern on the insurance issue... and wondering if anyone knows.

If hubby changes jobs / employers this will most likely mean a new insurance company. Can you take a pre-existing condition into a new policy if there is no lap in coverage and have it all covered as per norm or will they fight you?

If you are unsure but know where I can call or go to find the info, I would appreciate that too - I just have no idea how one can find out the answer. I know when his company changed insurance companies, there was no problem with pre-existing conditions, they covered it with no problem or waiting period but that was not something this critical (or expensive).

Thanks so much for any insight you may be able to offer. I don't want to make a booboo for our family - I can handle the pain more than I can handle financial ruin from medical expenses.

Rita,

You are going to hate my answer, but it all depends on the company. Some ins. cos do have a preexisting clause that is usually for the term of a year. Others have no preexisting clause and allow you to sign up no questions asked. It is a question that will definitely need to be ask when the new job is a possibility.
Ask to see the insurance booklet or pamphlet that most companies have. Talk to the HR person that handles insurance matters regularly. Call the actual insurance company and ask specific questions...they usually have customer service reps to help you. Ask for a copy of the actual insurance policy documents...pages and pages but the answers are there.

Also remember that COBRA (good for 18 months) is a possibility at least temporarily...its is expensive but not as expensive as a major medical event.


Hope this helps, Deb

Reta,
In Fl. the law is if you had insurance for the last year. They can't not cover you. But I would have to be covered by Fl. insurance.
Ok this I do know. insurance laws are writen state by state. In Fl we have an insurance commission. They mostly handle hurricane stuff, but also health. They know all the laws. I would imagaine that every state has something along those line.
That's were I would start.
Amy

thanks, ya'll

You can always use COBRA for awhile. Check it out.