[ArmstedFragg]

Until Obamacare wipes it out some day, HIPAA still applies to people who are on COBRA. Once they’ve maxed out their COBRA benefits, any insurance company in the state that writes individual coverage has to accept them without a pre-existing condition exclusion. It’s not cheap, and the timing is crucial, but there’s no reason for someone on COBRA to end up uninsured. She needs to talk to a local SHIP volunteer or try a couple of new insurance brokers until she finds one who’ll level with her. The key phrase is “HIPPA Shall Issue”.

And she’ll be happy politically, too, because it’s a gift from Teddy Kennedy.

[EBH]

It’s not cheap, and the timing is crucial, but there’s no reason for someone on COBRA to end up uninsured. Sure there is a reason someone on COBRA ends up uninsured. You actually stated it. She is finding that they won't be able to afford the insurance. What good is a high deductible account, to get the low monthly premium, if one can't afford the deductible? In their case it is all going to be financially unsustainable no matter what the policy is.