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Entry bubble Temporary Healthcare Coverage

By: Colleen | March 25, 2009 | Category: Health

insuranceWhen I first graduated college my #1 concern was getting a job. For one thing, my mother was utterly confused as to why she'd bothered to send me to school when I was back in her house, instead of instantly employed upon receiving my diploma. Many an uncomfortable family dinner did this make.

As for me, I was well aware that come January, I was getting booted from my Dad's health insurance plan—and I was one of the lucky ones. Most of my friends got the heave-ho the second we moved our tassels in May. Seeing as I am fairly accident-prone and enjoy having my teeth cleaned, making sure I was covered was a priority.

Now, given the state of the economy, many families are faced with the same concern. Not only is income an issue when losing a job—health insurance and coverage is also a major factor.

Should you lose your job, you do have some options:

  • Special Enrollment in Another Group Plan: This option allows an individual and possibly your family to enroll in a spouse's plan regardless of enrollment periods. Be sure you request the special enrollment within 30 days of losing eligibility for other coverage.
  • COBRA Continuation Coverage: If your employer continues to operate and offer a group plan, COBRA continuation coverage may be available. It may be more expensive than what you were paying while employed, but it's likely to be cheaper than private, individual coverage. COBRA coverage usually lasts 18 months, but may last longer. The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) certain individuals will be eligible for COBRA coverage at a discounted rate.
  • Health Coverage through a Government Program: Medicaid, Sate Children's Health Insurance Program, and Medicare are available through your state insurance department of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at 1-800-MEDICARE.
  • Private, Individual Health Insurance: Is an option if you had health coverage for at least 18 months without a significant break in coverage and were part of a group plan, your coverage was not terminated because of fraud or failure to pay premiums, and you are not eligible for COBRA or other health coverage.

While none of these options may be ideal, it's at least something. Have you ever lost healthcare coverage? What have you done in between plans?

| View Comments [4] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: cobra   colleen   health_insurance   healthcare   insurance   medicaid   medicare  

Comments (4):

blue comment bubble Posted by M.A. on March 25, 2009 at 09:56 AM EDT

It is really important for everyone to realize how important health insurance coverage is. Although it may seem as though you can get by without coverage, if anything were to happen, hospital bills can add up quickly. It is also not realistic to rely on the emergency room for care. If you are unable to pay the full medical bill in cash at the time of service, you can be turned away unless it is a life-threatening situation. People without health insurance are also more likely to receive less preventive care, are diagnosed at more advanced disease stages, and have higher mortality rates than insured individuals. In Massachusetts it is now required that all residents have health insurance. If they choose not to get health insurance they must pay a fine through their taxes.

Going without health insurance is a very dangerous situation. Although you may save some money in the short-term, unexpected medical bills can stay with you for a lifetime.

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blue comment bubble Posted by learn from my mistake on March 25, 2009 at 12:19 PM EDT

I learned the hard way how important it is to have health care coverage. abotu 10 years ago i was hospitalized, in and out for the better part of 2 weeks. I had recently lost my job and was working as a temp which barely kept me afloat. I lost that job too after missing work that much.

Long story, short, 2 weeks and $20,000 later i was in debt way past what i could ever imagine at the age of 20. With help from Friends, Family and my Church I slowly dug out. Since then i have been able to start a family of my own and buy a home, but i will never allow my family to be uninsured if i can avoid it. It can happen unexpectedly even if you are in robust health, and it adds up fast!

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blue comment bubble Posted by Robert J. Benzing on March 26, 2009 at 05:22 PM EDT

Are you on MEDICAID? If so, are you thinking of getting Married? Well as a Christian I should not tell you this but don't get Married. Or you will lose your Medicaid. If your Spouse earns more than $900.00 a month? You lose.

So I guess that Our Government wants us OLDER citizens to live in Sin with the rest of the un marrieds?

Getting married MR. or MRS. Politician does not heal you. Don't believe me? Ask my Wife. This country can throw away good money on Bad people, while it's citizens, starve or die for lack of Medical care.

What a SHAME!

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blue comment bubble Posted by Robert Thompson on April 17, 2009 at 04:17 PM EDT

What concerns me the most is finding out what other options are available when an individual is barely getting by and do not have the means to pay for COBRA or purchase private insurance. Individual has been working an average of 20 hrs per week, has medical issues, can not afford to see a doctor, and therefore has no way of replenishing needed medication.

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