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Social Security & Medicare

catrose

(5,274 posts) Mon Sep 25, 2017, 07:09 PM Sep 2017

COBRA & Medicare [View all]

So I was laid off from my job of 11 years in August. In September I received my COBRA papers. Because I qualify for Medicare in October, my plans were to continue my dental insurance but not my health insurance.

Today the dental company admits that they've received my application, but they attached another page that says my right to COBRA coverage ends if I apply for Medicare or get coverage through another dental group.

What? I understand the other dental group provision, but Medicare doesn't cover dental. Why would applying for Medicare void your dental benefits? My husband has quite a bit of major work to be done in the next month, so it's urgent.

12 replies

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COBRA & Medicare [View all] catrose Sep 2017 OP

Call the COBRA representative for your company and find out what is going on. You should be able to still_one Sep 2017 #1

That would work, because he's the one with the expensive work to be done catrose Sep 2017 #4

That is the way they do it. A spouse can be covered up to 18 months on COBRA, while the principal still_one Sep 2017 #6

Incredible catrose Sep 2017 #8

If Medicare doesn't include dental what does it matter? I understand your plight though. trixie2 Sep 2017 #2

I found this and it stinks trixie2 Sep 2017 #3

Thanks, Trixie catrose Sep 2017 #5

catrose, your spouse should be able to continue COBRA coverage even though you won't be eligible still_one Sep 2017 #7

That's just weird catrose Sep 2017 #9

and if you look at trixie's link it says the same thing still_one Sep 2017 #10

(cut/paste) It's not like Medicare is offering its own dental plan trixie2 Sep 2017 #11

So I called the BCRC number on one of the web pages catrose Sep 2017 #12