If you lose your job for any reason, ensuring that your potential medical expenses are covered is one of your primary concerns. The good news is that health insurance can be obtained without a job. Those without an employer are not eligible for group health insurance, but they may qualify for individual or family plans. Individual health insurance provides the same range of coverage options as employer-sponsored plans.
If you are unemployed, your employer does not offer health insurance, or you do not qualify for the benefits offered by your employer, you still have a few options for health insurance coverage:
COBRA
Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP are Affordable Care Act
Individual or family medical coverage
The majority of Americans receive health insurance through their employers. According to a 2017 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), approximately half (49%) of Americans have health insurance through their employer.
Even if you are a minority, you can still find unemployed health insurance that fits your needs, budget, and situation. Our licensed brokers at eHealth have the knowledge and experience to assist you in locating the best individual or family health insurance plan for your needs and budget.
COBRA
If you lose your health benefits, you may be eligible for COBRA, which allows you to continue your group plan's health benefits for a limited time.
Situations that may activate COBRA include:
Job loss
Reduction in hours that results in a reduction in coverage.
Divorce or separation from an employee who is insured
The demise of a covered worker
The employee is now eligible for Medicare
The demise of a covered worker
Or a covered employee's dependent ceases to be a dependant under the provisions of the plan (an adult child turning 26, for example)
If you have experienced any of the following, you may qualify for COBRA.
With COBRA, however, you will be responsible for the entire premium, rather than splitting it with your former employer. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the employer paid approximately 82% of the premium for individual coverage and 71% of the premium for family coverage. COBRA requires you to pay 100% of the premium. Under the ARPA, however, the federal government will cover the entire COBRA payment for unemployed individuals until September 2021.
After one of these events, you will typically have 60 days to determine whether or not to enroll in your previous employer's COBRA coverage.
Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP
Unemployed individuals may also qualify for government health insurance programs. Your eligibility will depend on your age, the number of children you have, and your current income level.
You may be eligible for Medicare if you are 65 or older (even if you are not yet ready to retire), have a disability or are diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease.
If you or your family have a low income, you may qualify for Medicaid. Families with children and a low income may be eligible for CHIP.
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ACA insurance
ACA-compliant plans, commonly termed as Obamacare plans, are another alternative if your annual income is too high for Medicaid or CHIP eligibility.
Depending on where you reside, you can find these plans on the federal Marketplace or your state's health insurance exchange. Plans that comply with the ACA are required to include 10 essential benefits:
Care before and after the birth of a child Preventive visits
Outpatient services
Urgent care visits
Inpatient care (care in hospital)
Prescription drugs
Services for mental health and substance use disorders
Lab services
services for children, including oral and vision care
Services of rehabilitation and facilitation
Individual private medical coverage
Individual private health insurance is a plan obtained through a non-government exchange. Shopping on a private exchange, such as eHealth, provides you with more coverage options. Additionally, you will be able to browse for ACA-compliant plans and apply for subsidies through eHealth by proxy.
Keep in mind that because the ARPA expanded eligibility requirements for subsidies, you may now be eligible for aid even if you were not previously. According to the new rules, subscribers are no longer have to pay more than 8.5% of their salary towards their health coverage, a reduction from the previous ceiling of over 10%. Those earning more than 400% of the federal poverty line are now also eligible for subsidies. This includes individuals earning $51,000 or less per year and families of four earning more than $104,800 per year in 2021.
If you do not qualify for subsidies, you will be able to shop for alternative individual and family plans that may offer fewer benefits but are within your budget. Short-term health insurance and catastrophic plans are examples of this category's options.
Short-term medical coverage
Short-term health insurance is an option for those in search of a temporary, inexpensive solution. If you are experiencing a brief lapse in coverage due to job loss or ineligibility for benefits, you may benefit from a short-term health insurance plan.
Short-term health insurance plans are intended to bridge gaps in your health insurance coverage until a more permanent solution can be found. They are typically much less expensive than premiums for major medical health insurance, but they do not provide the same level of coverage.
Obtain free short-term health insurance quotes from eHealth today and compare coverage options in your area to find a plan that meets your specific requirements.
What happens to your employer-provided health insurance if you lose your job?
Generally, if you are terminated from your job, your health insurance coverage terminates as well. Some businesses will prolong unemployment benefits through the end of the month in which you are laid off, although this varies by organization. Under the federal COBRA program, you may maintain your current insurance coverage, but you must pay the entire premiums and any other costs previously covered by your former employer.
Under COBRA, maintaining your current coverage might be fairly expensive. In many instances, enrolling in an unemployed health insurance plan that provides comparable coverage for less money is more cost-effective for many individuals.
How can I obtain health insurance if I am unemployed?
Employer-sponsored group insurance may be the most frequent way to receive health coverage, but it is not the only way. A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) permits you to enroll in an individual or family health plan within 60 days if you become unemployed. Other occurrences that may qualify you for a SEP include:
Changing your marital status
Having a baby (or adopting a child)
Obtaining US citizenship
Relocating to a region where your current plan is not available
Having your employer's health insurance coverage revoked
After entering your SEP, you can look for jobless health insurance on your state's exchange or through a qualified broker like as eHealth. If you cannot afford your health plan on your own, you may be eligible for subsidies if you choose a plan that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As a result of the ARPA's increased subsidies, more people are now eligible for subsidies than ever before.
How to locate the optimal health insurance policy
If your employment status has changed, eHealth can assist you in locating the best health insurance plan in your state. We have licensed representatives in every state who are prepared to assist you in locating a health insurance plan that fits your needs and budget. You can enroll in an eHealth plan via our website, our live chat, or the telephone. Once enrolled, we offer assistance managing your plan around-the-clock. Examine the individual and family health insurance plans available in your area to determine your possibilities.
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