questions on insurance timing

[stuntmonkey 2]

Hi, everyone.

I qualify for lap band surgery (BMI of 38 and I have severe sleep apnea). I am currently on health insurance that covers lap band after a 6-month supervised diet. I've dieted forever and forever and tried to lose weight forever and forever, but never medically supervised. I did start weight watchers in late March, so my 6 months with that will be up in mid September.

I am hoping to switch jobs and therefore insurances starting September 1, 2011 (I'm a teacher). I would be offered group coverage through my new employer, but there is a specific exclusion to bariatric surgery. (Same is true with my husband's insurance).

From what I can tell, I will not be allowed to purchase cobrar insurance from my current employer if I am offered group insurance through my new employer. Is this still true if there are huge changes in coverage? Anyone have experience with this?

I really want to figure out a way to get my surgery covered but still be able to change jobs in September. Any advice? Any way I can use my previous diets to qualify for the surgery during the summer?

Why, oh why do I find out that I have severe sleep apnea and finally qualify for the lap band at this exact time when I am very close to having a new job lined up that I'm really looking forward to???? The timing couldn't be worse...

[stuntmonkey 2]

Answering my own question in case anyone else turns this up with a similar issue.

I talked to someone at the Dept. of Labor today. If I decline the insurance with the new company, I am still eligible to obtain Cobra coverage through my old company.

Great news for me! I will have to pay Cobra for about 4 months (to get to the next open enrollment period after the surgery), but other than that, my surgery will be covered just like it would have been if I did not change jobs and insurance. $2000 for Cobra for 4 months vs. $17000 for surgery is a no brainer. I'm thrilled.