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Disability Benefits101: Working with a disability in California
Private Health Coverage:
Frequent Pitfalls

Basing Decisions on Misinformation
Most of us usually rely on the experience of others to understand how to deal with similar situations. The real problem with this is that benefits are person-centered. Benefit programs fit each individual differently, based on a variety of facts and conditions, such as:
  • your work history;
  • how much you earn;
  • what you own;
  • how disabling your condition is;
  • how clearly you report the details of your condition to your medical provider;
  • how well your medical provider understands or documents these details;
  • what benefits an employer provides; and
  • what benefits you have purchased individually.

Missing Deadlines
Private health coverage and continuation coverage deadlines are very strict and must be adhered to. Missing deadlines may result in loss of private health coverage.

Not Understanding the Importance of the Initial Enrollment Period
The initial enrollment period is the first time the employer-sponsored policy is offered to you. If you choose to wait until a future open enrollment period to enroll in employer-sponsored health coverage, exclusionary periods for pre-existing conditions may be longer.
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