I'm currently on COBRA, and have had a few doctor's visits.

When COBRA runs out, I plan get my COBRA converted to an individual policy.

When converting from COBRA -> individual, does one have to fill out a whole health questionnaire and medical history?

If not, should I purposely hold out on claiming my recent doctor's visits, since that would lower my premiums for the individual policy?

I don't want to do anything unethical or illegal. Thanks!

Just to be clear: I do not want to lie or omit vital information on an application.

But if my insurance carrier will never give me an application, and instead base the premiums on past claims, then should I just pay for my recent doctor's visits out-of-pocket, and never even submit these claims?

Example:

Joe Smith has a COBRA policy, sees a doctor, but DOES NOT submit it as a claim. So the insurance company doesn't know about the doctor's visit. When COBRA runs out, the insurance company offers to convert to an individual policy, without asking Joe for a new application.

Jane Smith has a COBRA policy, sees a doctor, but DOES submit it as a claim. So the insurance company knows about the doctor's visit. When COBRA runs out, the insurance company offers to convert to an individual policy, without asking Jane for a new application.

My guess is that Joe has done nothing wrong, since he was under no obligation to claim his doctor's visit under COBRA, and the insurance company never asked him anything about it. My guess is further, that Jane's individual policy will have a higher premium than Joe's, since she has a history of claims.

So, my questions are:

1. How common is it for insurance companies to request a whole new application with medical history, etc on it, when converting from COBRA to an individual policy?

2. Am I right that Joe has done nothing wrong or unethical?

Thank you.

I'm going to submit the claims anyway. But I would still like to continue this discussion, and would greatly appreciate continuing this thread, if only for my own academic curiousity.

Please let me have more of your views!

If your agent believes that you're insurable, you're best off getting private insurance as soon as possible. Then, get off COBRA.

This is less a price-related strategy than it is, a strategy to make sure you can get your own insurance when your COBRA expires.

You may be entitled to a HIPPA policy or a conversion plan when your COBRA expires, but it'll always be inferior to what you can get if you're underwritten.

Since I don't know more specifics about your health history or the state you live in, there's certain info I can't give you, yet.

Rob