"regional version of Blue Cross" gives me pause. You'll have to check with HR on your specific policy. With Cobra being federal, they have to offer you a plan but it could possibly be an alternative plan if you move from the area of coverage.

We ran into something similar years ago when the company DH was working for was purchased by a firm across the river in Oregon. The insurance sounded more than adequate without any payment to cover part of the premiums to be withheld for employees or their families. What we discovered was after one of DH's coworkers accumulated several hundred dollars in allergy testing for one of his children was we were covered by Blue Cross of Oregon which paid considerably less at Washington locations. Scramble in change of plans for us and by years end we had Blue Cross of Washington but with an expensive interim for a few.

You might want to also contact the insurance company, because HR employees do not always know the correct answer to questions, especially when the question is not a common one.

I can tell you my experience with COBRA. i needed to use it between the end of my employers insurance coverage and qualifying for Medicare, which was about six months.

It was up to me to find and apply for health insurance. I could no longer participate in my employers policy.

I did some research and applied for myself. It took them so darn long to approve my application, i had no insurance for two months. I had to produce a lot of medical records.I was finally approved and never made a claim. Thank goodness. Then I had to start the process of finding Medicare supplemental insurance.

Good luck. Glad you are going to talk to HR.

Thanks! I'm okay with the cost of the COBRA--it is expensive but I'm okay with. I prefer to keep this plan until Medicare. Just not sure if it is a viable option. YOu all brought up some good points. Defintiely call HR and the insurance company on Tuesday.

I agree with calling the insurance company directly.

I went in the website. The directions said to find if a provider takes your insurance put in the first three letters of your insurance id and then I searched for docs in another state and loads came up so maybe.... Will call on Tuesday.

Just a follow up--HR said it was possible but we'd have to find a network that would accept my network. It seemed very confusing.

There was another hitch to it, when I looked at it years ago - COBRA gives you the right to buy coverage (at full cost) from your ex-employer's plan, BUT only as long as the plan remains the same. My employers were large businesses and "self-insured"; companies like Aetna were the contractors to manage/administer the benefit. My employers changed plans every few years.

Interesting. Thanks for for that heads up Raee.