[1moretime]

I have my own policy also since my employer does not offer it. I admit I was not switching as you are. When I first called my carrier, before the adoption took place, they told me that they would cover his expenses like he was a new born child. What they didn't tell me was that I only had 30 days from adoption date to add him to my policy for this to be true. I could add him after 30 days but he would have had to have been underwritten. Therefore, his probable eye surgery would not have been covered if I had let it slip through the crack. I was very anxious to have him on the policy in case something came up so I acted quickly. It wasn't until I called to check a claim and they began to give me the run around that it came out that if I hadn't been so prompt his expenses would not have been covered. They have been good so far about coverage.

I am not sure about the whole referral step. You do not legally have these children. Therefore, I can't imagine you would be able to have them underwritten. However, most policies do have a waiting period when you, the main provider, first sign up (for me I think it was 9 months). If a major illness should develop during this time the plan may decide that this family member had a pre-existing condition and will do like you said, either not cover it wor charge outrageous premiums.

Wish I could give you better info. If you stick with the insurance you do have, be sure to be prompt and give them all the pertanent (sp) info., such as copies of birth certificates and adoption certificates.

As for vaccinations. I did not want my child, who is 7, to be innoculated again for things he was immune to. So I requested titers run. A titer is where they take a blood sample and check the antibody level. His paperwork showed where he had been given immunizations for all childhood diseases but his titers told that he did not have antibodies for 2 diseases. He then only had to become current on just 2 immunizations, not all of them which is what they at first wanted to do.

It may take a little bit more time and effort but I really believe this is the better way to go than just assuming that the child's paperwork is correct or to just go ahead and give all of the immunizations all over again. Especially if your child is an infant.

Nancy