Most of us cannot even imagine how our lives would be if we did not have our health insurance to cover us. But there are people who do not have a job in the first place and are living highly insecure lives. Or there are instances where people enjoy health cover with their current jobs, but are suddenly faced with a situation where they lose both their job and insurance
These situations seem too scary to even think about, but health is not something that can be ignored. There has to be some way in which people can enjoy health insurance coverage even if you don’t have a job.
Health insurance after leaving/losing your previous job
Many employed individuals (especially those over the age of thirty) cannot afford to pay the health insurance premiums after losing their jobs. There is a provision of the law that goes by the acronym COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) which was passed in 1986 to facilitate continuation of group health insurance coverage to former employees.
COBRA extends coverage to certain former employees and retirees and spouses, former spouses, and dependent children of both these retirees and former employees. The major criteria here is that the services of the employee must not have been terminated due to gross misconduct.
COBRA is commonly applicable only to private-sector employers that have employed twenty or more employees, employee organizations, or state and local governments. The coverage is generally extended only up to eighteen months after losing the job/voluntary retirement, but can be prolonged to thirty six months in special cases, where there is another qualifying event during the first eighteen months.
Other low cost choices
Many people are out of jobs at the moment but are trying to get one at the earliest. They only need a temporary coverage for the time period in between the previous and the next job. There are many companies that cater to the requirements of such individuals. The coverage offered is usually for a year and may not cover any of your preexisting health conditions.
Individual health plans for those who can afford
If you can manage to pay $1,000 or more per month for family health insurance, provided all of you are comparatively healthy, then you can consider an individual health insurance plan. You have to take into account any chronic disorders like diabetes or cancer, which could pose a problem in getting coverage.
But if you are fortunate enough to live in one of the five states where health insurance premiums are determined by regulators, then you cannot be refused health coverage.
But for the less fortunate ones who live elsewhere, the coverage offered by your health insurance entirely depends on the state and their rulings regarding the preexisting health conditions. Most of the time, there may be a blanket health insurance cover denial for preexisting conditions.
Other options
If you are a member of a certain association or group with a large number of members, you may be able to take advantage of group rates negotiated by the entity. Furthermore, there are non-profit organizations and other institutions that focus on helping people obtain the right coverage. Some hospitals have special plans for low income individuals. You may want to explore government programs as well.
No matter what option you choose, you must try your best to obtain health insurance coverage for you and your family.
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