Is it possible to find out if a company’s medical insurance plan covers a specific treatment before accepting a job offer?

Not only is it possible to find out what is covered by the health insurance at a new job, it is a good idea to do so. After all, accepting a job offer only to find out that the medical coverage of the policy costs more than you are able to pay, or that special medical needs are not covered at all can leave you in a bad position later.

After you have interviewed for the job, it is your turn to do some interviewing as well. Speak with someone in the company's Human Resources department about the specifics of health insurance, what it covers, what it will cost, and what kind of exclusions you will have to deal with. In some cases, you may need to contact the insurance company itself and ask the critical questions. In this situation, the company's HR department can give you the name of the insurance company, the type of policy available, and possibly a representative within the insurance company to speak to.

Other considerations should include things such as the mandatory waiting period, and how to deal with any preexisting conditions you have coming onto the job which may or may not be covered. Keep in mind that pregnancy is usually considered a preexisting condition, but some policies will extend coverage for natal care under certain restrictions.

Finally, some health insurance companies will allow you to keep your same coverage even if you change jobs. If this is the case, you will need to contact your current health insurance company and find out what the process is to continue coverage. Most health insurance companies who offer this plan allow anywhere from 30 to 90 days to extend the coverage before it is canceled, and it is important to note that you will be responsible for paying your own health insurance costs if this is the route you choose to go with.