My insurance in Georgia will only allow me to add my child for ~$250/mo which is unaffordable. They are not allowing me to actually change my coverage. only offered me to apply for an appeal process sent via mail since I disagreed with that.
Is this common or even legal?
What insurance carrier?
Anthem Blue Cross / Shield Employee plan through University System of Georgia.
Definitely appeal it. That does not seem right at all.
I wouldn’t say common necessarily, but believe it is legal.
Is this you?
If so, it seems you can only make changes that directly relate to a specific life event.** **(They use the word “consistent” but it basically means related.)
The website says qualifying events are mostly about adding people to your plan.** **(For example, getting married and adding a spouse.)
They give some examples: If you get divorced, you can remove your ex-spouse but not yourself. But there’s one exception - if you have a new child (birth, adoption etc.), you can add yourself, your spouse, all your existing kids, and the new baby all at once.
If your situation doesn’t fit these rules, then appealing to them might be your best option.
Did you file your paperwork after your child was born? If you did, You can talk to OCI and then file a Consumer Insurance Complaint with OCI.
The OCI in Georgia can’t help me because my insurance plan is from the Georgia university system.** **(At least that’s what the website says.)
If trying to appeal to the insurance company doesn’t work, it might still be a good idea to call the OCI.