How to Get Health Insurance When Fired
If you have recently been fired, you have several new challenges to face. One of them is getting health insurance coverage. Obtaining health insurance when your employment ends isn't as difficult as it may seem; paying for the coverage might be the challenge. You have several options for getting health insurance as an unemployed person. They depend on your health and finances.
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Instructions
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Check with your company for COBRA. COBRA policies continue your coverage if you had a group plan. The problem is that you have to pay the entire premium for this coverage. Unlike the group coverage under which the employer paid a portion, this is often quite expensive. COBRA is your only alternative if you have a health condition.
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Sign up for short-term health insurance. Short-term health insurance is not a permanent solution for health insurance but it solves the problem either between jobs or until you secure permanent coverage. It's far cheaper than both permanent health insurance and the high cost of COBRA insurance. If you expect to secure employment soon, short-term health coverage may be all you need.
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Check with a local insurance representative for coverage. If you have homeowner's, auto or life insurance, your representative either sells these health insurance policies or can recommend someone who sells them. These representatives carry both permanent health insurance and short-term major medical insurance.
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Look online for a solution. Many companies have websites that include their products for both short-term and permanent health insurance. Some sites carry several companies where you find competitive quotes for similar products.
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Consider the kind of health coverage you want. Some policies, called indemnity policies, pay regardless of who you select as a doctor. These often have an upfront deductible. Other policies have a network of doctors from which to select, co-payments and are often more inexpensive. Find the type that fits your needs.
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Fill out the application and wait for coverage. Permanent personal health insurance takes a while for approval so it's best to have a short-term policy in place while you wait. These normally provide coverage from the date of the postmark if using the Postal Service for your application or the following business day if you apply online or with an agent.
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Tips & Warnings
Be aware of the location of the doctors if you select the type of policy where you only use preferred providers. Sometimes the closest doctor might be 90 miles away.
