Private Insurance Industry's 63-Day Lapse ”Gotcha” Vs Va Health Care Enrollment.

[DrBarbae]

My situation: I am an expat living in Europe that is taking a much-needed pause from work after being in Afghanistan the last 3 years straight. I anticipate taking the next year off from work. I recently separated from my employer on 30 Sep 2013. I currently have no medical insurance coverage from a private company. Paying for my health care out-of-pocket is feasible. I am 90% disabled, and expect that soon will be 100% disabled once my claim finalizes (December or January). I would rather not spend money on costly COBRA or anything else if I am in the situation I am in. I am currently looking for insurance that will cover me if something terribly catastrophic would happen (hit by a car, etc).

My concern: CIGNA (and other big insurance companies do this too, I am sure) just sent me a ”certificate of group health plan coverage” indicating I was covered through 30 Sep 2013 that is seemingly useful to gain coverage for pre-exisiting conditions when getting a new policy **IF** I get insurance within 63 days of the policy expiring (approximately 02 Dec 2013 in my case). I want to make sure I do not screw myself by not taking action now, but do not want to buy insurance I do not need, or will be too much of a hassle to use.

My question: Does being a disabled veteran exempt me from this ”lapse in coverage” stuff, at least for service-connected conditions that might not be covered in the future? And what about being outside the United States? If I am enrolled for VA healthcare, am I good to go?

THANKS!

ro → en

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[john999]

VA told me I was considered fully insured according Obama care. That means no penalty for not having other insurance. I thought most countries in Europe had free insurance for all like France.

[71M10]

His question is not specific to PPACA, The issue he described is related to a lapse in INSURANCE coverage for health insurance he is using overseas and reinsurance/pre-existing conditions rules between insurance companies. Does the PPACA address/regulate insurance policies issued to US citizens for overseas coverage? However, It does present some interesting questions. As an American citizen (not living in the US), is he required to by insurance? What are the insurance coverages through the exchanges for use in a foreign country?

[71M10]

It appears insurance companies are still allowed to exclude coverage for injuries that are a result of war or acts of war (regardless of whether a person is/was a civilian or member of the military), They may also suspend coverage while a person is "in the military". I cannot find this specifically addressed in the text of the ACA (but much of the ACA referres to other laws and adjusts them). This information is from two advisory sources on the web and has not be verified back to an actual regulation or law (or assurance no regulation addresses it).