Is anyone else having difficulty getting through to an "Associate" to confirm COBRA coverage? Have held for an hour twice to confirm that COBRA coverage is needed. Disconnected both times. Dialing the number provided in the Severance Paperwork. COBRA is not even an option on the auto attendant. Only AT&T could screw something up that is a legal obligation. These folks really, really don't seem to care whether you are a current employee or someone surplused. What a crummy bunch of people running the show. True testament to just how unattractive an employer that AT&T has become.
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You can only get COBRA for 18 months. Can you then take the Company unsubsidized medical plan if you have reached Rule of 75 after the COBRA expires? Just curious, as I hope to retire in 4-5 years and I won't be old enough for Medicare. I know I could look on the open market, but I'm sure that will be expensive.
Benefits REP slurred her words and finally came back after I asked for a manager to say oh I'm so sorry you do qualify for COBRA. AT&T you make us so proud.
Are they 🇺🇸AT&T Employees or Contracted Representatives🇮🇳
Since I met rule of 75, I was told by one rep I could take COBRA which for the family plan was about $600 cheaper than the unsubsidized Retiree plan. I call back again to ask a question regarding COBRA and was told since I qualify for the extremely expensive unsubsidized Retiree Plan, I do not qualify for COBRA. I spoke to a higher level manager who than told me the first benefits rep was correct and I do qualify for COBRA. So that was a big relief. So Aug 1st comes and I go into the Benefits site and see an action Item to enroll in retiree benefits but no explanation on how to enroll in COBRA, so once again call Benefits, wait 2 hours for a call back. The rep tells me “since you qualify for retiree medical benefits I do not qualify for COBRA. WTF. So I ask for her manager. She tells me her peers confirm I do not Qualify. I again insist on speaking to a manager. She comes back after putting me on hold for around 20 minutes and by golly I do qualify for COBRA!! Woo Hoo. Puts me on hold again for a long time and......disconnects me. No callback. Now my I am really upset. I call benefits again....wait for another 2 hour callback. Before the next rep could say anything I tell her I want to talk to a COBRA specialist and quickly told her what happened and was transferred to a very sweet rep who knew what to do. And guess what? She quickly enrolled me in COBRA! All I had to do was choose not to take the Retiree Medical and apparently the COBRA option comes up! Had I known that, I would not have wasted an entire day and could have done this myself. Sorry for the long rant!! This is just one example of Benefits reps giving surplussed employees the wrong information!! It’s obvious that this 2 week clusterf was not enough time to train the Benefits reps!!
Is cobra and cec different?
I was laid off 7/24, 6 year employee. Took about two weeks to get 1st medical bill (CEC). Had to call them. Just got Cobra paperwork. Alternate number for benefits 866-276-8444, you didn't hear it from me.
I called the Benefits Center about something else and while I had them, I asked about Cobra for Dental, they told me I’d be receiving paperwork in the mail and if I want to enroll I have to contact the Benefits Center again. The agent gave me pricing, I was surprised they were actually helpful. But I couldn’t enroll that day because I called on my last day of payroll (8/6). So I’m waiting for paperwork but I’ll call if I don’t get it before the month ends. Seems like every time I call, I get different answers so who knows if I’m even giving accurate info here. Best of luck to you and everyone else here.
same story every layoff they don't care and don't want to help you. just read the 1000 page volume lawyer speak to find out what is covered.
Thanks for the responses. Unfortunately, the paperwork that AT&T sent out specifically states that I have to talk to an associate to ensure COBRA coverage. It states a failure to do so will result in no coverage. Strange that the default would be to opt you out of coverage. Got through today, then sent by the Associate to someone else. Then got a recording stating that the department closed at 6pm Central Time. The paperwork from AT&T clearly states that the department is open form 7am to 7pm Central Time. I now know what our customers must feel like.
To: @cxo Give it a rest; would ya'. You have no idea what the OP's situation is. Your snarky wit and sarcasm are lost on most people on this thread. Go pollute some other boards with your toxic gibberish.
Economy is booming! Best jobs numbers ever. Should be easy to find your next job.
If you just left AT&T and weren't separated for gross misconduct, you should get a Cobra package in 2 or so weeks. I think you have 50-60 days to pay or Cobra converage is retroactively cancelled.
I was retirement eligible and I got a Cobra package, I got a retiree package separately and apart from Cobra. I've been in two Cobra situations with AT&T, and didn't have any problems. However, I didn't try to "jump the gun" by calling them.
Call the number on the back of your BCBS card to confirm then call the Benefits Center if you're not covered.
You should be getting the bill for your portion of the benefits sometime after the 15th. I got mine today. Note they will not require payment while the Covid emergency is in place but you will have to pay in full when the emergency is over.
This should have been handled better but what do you expect from a soulless company.