"Cliff" wrote in message
news
On Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:49:13 -0400, "Ed Huntress"

wrote:

In CA, rates are lower than in NJ. But a policy for someone over 55 or so
ain't gonna be cheap. Gunner probably had enough preconditions to either
jack up the prices or to exclude covered conditions, in any case.

When he was employed (pre-bush) he could have switched to
carrying his own within ~ 60 days (or when CORBA ran out)
and IIRC, most would have covered any pre-existing conditions.
You generally lose that coverage for several years IF you
allow a ~60 day lapse in coverage but not if you stay
covered by any insurance firm (or switch firms).

Most states don't require insurers to cover you after COBRA runs out (New
York does; some others do). So, after 12 months or 18 months on COBRA,
you're out of luck if you're rated.

In my case, my COBRA eligibility overlapped my eligibility on my wife's plan
at work. It was like falling from a high wire into a safety net. Now I have
to make sure she stays happy and healthy. g

--
Ed Huntress