Insurance coverage spanning the new year?

[Gooberlx2]

So my wife was admitted a couple nights ago. We're going to hit the maximum out of pocket on this stay. However, obviously, tomorrow is the new year and my employer's new insurance carrier will kick in. (and even if it didn't it'd be a new year for coverage deductibles and shit).

My understanding was that a carrier's coverage will continue and apply to currently fulfilled obligations (deductible, moop) for stuff like continuous hospital admissions that span a new year, even after the insured's coverage ends....for typical coverage with most carriers anyway.

Obviously I'll be calling our insurance to get the official word, but the last time I tried the hold time was like 30 mins (probably from hundreds of other people calling and asking the same question) and I can't wait that long while I'm at work.

Any experiences? I'm seriously going to be pissed if we're forced to meet a new deductible and moop.

update: Finally got through and the insurance guy said things are billed/covered based on the admission date (== "date of service"). So regardless of carrier change or a change in the deductible year, the continuous stay will be covered. Of course, any follow-ups or re-admissions due to the illness returning will be a new "date of service" and apply to the new coverage year (and new carrier in my case).

 

[mrblotto]

Yikes, same thing (kinda) here. Taking wife to the Dr for a look at her shoulder. Maybe X-Rays or something too. Will be switching from a PPO to a 'High Deductible' PPO tomorrow....... *shrugs*

 

[MixMasterTang]

For what it's worth my wife and I had to take our son to the emergency room on NYE 2 years ago to get stitches above his eye at 11pm. Got done about 2am and talked to the person at the hospital about if the insurance claim would be for the 31st or Jan 1st. They said since we checked in on the 31st that's when all of the claims would be processed against.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Got word and posted an update. Needless to say, I'm very relieved. We're barely able to afford the current charges already.

PSA: Never put hospital bills on a credit card. Always work out the payment arrangement with the hospital itself. They'll always be more flexible than a CC company. And medical debt is more "forgiven" on a credit report. (learned from past dumbass mistakes).