My COBRA is ending and I have pre-existing conditions. I will turn 65 next February. What should I do between my COBRA ending and Medicare starting?
Betwixt and Between
Dear Betwixt and Between,
As long as you do not have a gap of 63 days between your COBRA ending and your next plan starting, your new plan will cover your pre-existing conditions in 2013. It sounds like you will need a plan to cover you from now until the end of February. These are not being sold on the exchanges; the exchanges are offering plans that start on January 1, 2014. For coverage in 2013, you will need to contact an insurance broker. You can find a health insurance broker using the National Association of Health Underwriters directory.
Once you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare, Medicare will cover your pre-existing conditions no matter how long you were previously uninsured. Make sure you get your paperwork started to enroll in Medicare on time. You can visit medicare.gov to get information about enrolling. The health insurance broker would also be able to help you with this.