Certificate of Credible Coverage or equivalent

[SonoranSongbird 3]

Just finished the paperwork to get my lovely new hubby onto my health insurance plan and the benefits manager asked if he can get something called a certificate of credible coverage to show that he is "insurable." All this means is we get to have the 6-month exclusion for preexisting conditions waived. It would be nice since he has had coverage all his life, but it isn't critical. I know that it isn't something that is really an issue in Canada, so I'm wondering if they will have any idea what to send us. I didn't realize there was a way out of the 6-month preexisting condition exclusion at all, so this is actually some good news rather than an unexpected additional hurdle.

In other news, my mom got all weepy about what a nice outgoing message we have on our answering machine. I guess she likes hubby's voice better than mine. I'm her eldest child---so what's up with that?????

[Carlawarla 1]

Gosh I have no idea. Maybe it's something Alberta Health would just draw up for your health plan, considering they will think it's the silliest thing they've ever heard of...as I think it is. On the other hand however, who's going to say this anyway? Alberta Health wouldn't know if he has any pre-exisiting condition. Maybe his family doctor would know. This is just too weird! He's your husband now, why not just put him on for gosh sake?

As for your Mother...and in particular because you're her eldest...she's just so HAPPY that you're married! She's weepy because she's happy that you're happy, and she hears both your voices (I guess?) on your answering machine and she's touched.

Edited August 12, 2008 by Carlawarla

[SonoranSongbird 3]

Maybe it's something Alberta Health would just draw up for your health plan, considering they will think it's the silliest thing they've ever heard of...as I think it is.

I know! I was thinking that too, only I don't know what to ask them to write up since I"m not sure I really know what they are asking for. I assume that what they want to know is that he was healthy enough not to be denied coverage by a previous plan (I guess---she did use the word "insurable"), and in Canada, it wouldn't be an issue. It is just a matter of avoiding the preexisting condition exclusion for the first six months, so it isn't a big deal, it's just that if we are allowed not to have an exclusion, I'd like to figure out how to do that. He's covered under our plan as of the 7th; we'll just have to pay out of pocket for him to renew a prescription he has the first time it runs out.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I had to have proof of coverage to be added without a year's exclusion for a pre-existing condition as well. I had my Canadian employer covered health insurance provider write a statement about when I started being covered with them and when I ended and what it included. They had no problem providing me with such a letter (on letterhead). I also included a copy of the OHIP web page that states all Ontario residents who meet the criteria are covered. Basically, the insurance provider wants proof of uninterrupted medical insurance coverage before they will forego the exclusion. You can try going those routes. You may find asking your husband's former MPP in Alberta if he can contact the Alberta Health Insurance Department and get some sort of written statement that your husband was covered by the Provincial health plan. Asking the MPP for assistance may mean you get the letter faster. Basically, you want a statement of coverage and since he was insured he should be eligible for the exemption from exclusionary clause.

Interestingly, when my husband's employer changed health insurance provider, the former provider automatically provided such a letter verifying our coverage with them.

[SonoranSongbird 3]

Thanks, Kathryn. I really am a bit baffled when people start using insurance company lingo with me, but your post makes sense and that is probably exactly what they are looking for, and it sounds easy enough.

[Carlawarla 1]

Let us know what you asked for, and what you got. Would be good information for others to know for possible future posts.

[SonoranSongbird 3]

After all this, we may not even need to do anything. The woman who coordinates benefits for the State of Illinois told me to contact the health insurance company directly and find out what preexisting conditions are excluded. Apparently not all are. I also need to find out if our prescription plan (which is through an entirely different insurance company than the medical care) has an exclusion. If he is covered for prescriptions from day one, there aren't any preexisting conditions to worry about (he takes a medication for high blood pressure --- between the med and his work out routine, his BP is normal and he has no associated health problems, so it really is just a matter of refilling the prescription before the 6 month period is over).

I will post to let you know what we do if we do pursue it.