Changing an insurance provider

My husband has  AETNA insurance under PPO Plan. We just got married and I would like him to switch to a new insurance  and add me too. However he has been diagnosed with Eweing sarcoma and  finished with treatments in Oct 2009. All that time he was covered under  COBRA group plan and in October 2009 after he was done with treatments he got a job and a new insurance ( same provider AETNA but different company he is working for now).  The new  insurance he applied for rejected him over his  previous condition, even he has a current insurance  but, they accepted my  application. What are his options if he wants to switch to some other insurance rather than AETNA or he should just stick to them. Thank you

[Amir Mostafaie]

Dear Ala72,

It sounds like your husband’s new employer is not offering coverage through a group sponsored health plan, because group plans are guaranteed issue & do not decline applicants due to pre-existing health conditions. If that is the case he will need to stay on COBRA through his old employment until the COBRA is exhausted. After he exhausts COBRA, he becomes HIPAA eligible & earns the right to be guaranteed insurable regardless of his health. Meanwhile you can apply & get coverage through an individual plan if you are in fairly good health.

Sincerely,

Amir Mostafaie