Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

Obama care is much more reasonable.

Unenroll from autopay and don't pay the bill. I forgot to unenroll from autopay in a timely manner and it took me 6 months and over 15 calls to get my refund. The folks in benefits are useless and don't do a thing you ask them to do and most the time not even log in the conversation.

Don’t assume anything. You must opt out during open enrollment.

When they send you bills, don't pay them. Ignore them. They will cancel automatically.

I recently got mine cancelled. A call to the hotline and then to ensure I don’t get charged I unenrolled from autopay. Worked out.

I see. Thanks everyone. I think the last posts before this one, clarifying that it's not technically COBRA but the same amount, is very helpful. I will definitely give them a call and make sure the coverage ends after this month.

To address a couple of question in the thread.

Are you management or bargained for ?
Management here. Or ex-management to be exact. I got 6 months of continued coverage, for Medical only. It's the same monthly amount as I paid before. The amount has actually increased starting with the new year, as I assume it has for everyone, the usual. For me, it's just one month at the new monthly cost.

Go to the website
I did, and it's pretty useless, especially for an ex-employee. Will have to call. It'll be fun.

Can they do that?
Yes.

OP your best days are ahead of you!
Thanks! It's fine, I actually already started another job a few months ago, and I like it. I didn't have to switch my Medical insurance coverage yet since I had some already, and it was a bit cheaper, so I was advised to keep it for 6 months, and then switch as losing coverage, or seeing its cost increase by close to 700% is a qualifying event, and it allows you to get coverage outside an open enrollment or a new employee enrollment periods.

Call the benefits hotline and tell them when you want coverage to end. That is what I did. I got the 6 months subsidy (paid $175/month) then paid 2 months at full price ($1595/month), then cancelled. It is technically not COBRA, but cost after 6 months is the same as COBRA.

Unless you had to pay a reduced COBRA amount which would be the same as the amount deducted from your paycheck as an employee AND the COBRA company has your credit card information, call them and tell them to cancel. If they do NOT have your cc information, simply do not pay the bill.

Can they do that?

Sadly, even our benefit department is contracted out.

Are you management or bargained for ?

Surprised to learn the company pays for 6 months of sponsored medical coverage after a layoff. Were the premiums more costly than you paid previously as an active employee?

OP your best days are ahead of you!

We will be right behind you!

We received a bill for Cobra the first month and just did not pay it.

This might be explaining why I don't recall having to opt in or out of it. Since it's a government program, is it reasonable to assume that if I have another coverage starting on Feb 1st, they won't even bother me with it?

You grifted final benefits from T and are now on your own.

No sh...

I'm not asking for any more benefits from T, I'm simply asking how to NOT get enrolled into COBRA after my 6 months of extended coverage runs out.

We received a bill for Cobra the first month and just did not pay it.

You grifted final benefits from T and are now on your own.

There is no HR nor Benefits Office at the new & improved T.
You can try, but that number is answered by some outsourced non knowledgable person located in India or Pakistan.
Better off investigating Obama Care & get the refund credits.
COBRA is awfully expensive & has service limitations.