[dckiwi]

Hello! We are moving to New Zealand and will be landing in Auckland on December 9th. As soon as we land, we will be covered by NZ insurance. However, our U.S. employer-based health insurance runs out on November 30th. So we need health insurance for 9 days while still in the U.S. Does anyone have any experience with an insurance company that would grant us insurance for such a short time? Thanks!

[Scibby]

You should be able to talk to your employer about continuing your insurance through Cobra. You will no longer have the employer contribution but you could still have insurance.

[BkyMonster]

Yes, look into COBRA coverage if you are eligible. I was recently reading up on travel insurance and there may have been something about being covered a certain amount of time on either side of your scheduled trip. I didn't read that part very carefully since I'm about 5 months off from needing it yet. :o

As to what type of insurance you need, if you just need catastrophic you may be covered via either renters insurance (if you have it) home insurance or car insurance. If you need prescriptions filled and regular checkups COBRA seems the best bet.

[Oregonkiwi]

I had exactly the same question last year. :) See this thread:
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6829

Read Khhill's post in that thread - excellent advice about "playing the COBRA waiting game". Basically, you can continue coverage for a short time without paying the premium - free peace of mind.:nice1

[CjChris]

My health insurance in the US ran out Aug 31 and we were not due to fly until Sept 18. I was nervous about this at first, but then I got the COBRA info packet in the mail, which basically said that there's a 30 day grace period on the payment for September. So, while I would have paid this premium had I needed to, I didn't need to and we arrived here with no complications. I then wrote Cobra and told them I opted not to take their coverage (which was outrageously expensive anyway).

When I return to the US to attend my oldest daughter's graduation in December, I will get a travel ins. policy to cover me for the few days I'll be in the US, which will be very cheap from what I have seen so far.

Christine

[suzer]

I would agree with others and say go with COBRA for a month.