Get The Cheapest Health Insurance When Unemployed
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Your Area
For most people who are unemployed, we recommend getting insurance through the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace.
Although there are several ways to get coverage, the most cost-effective option will be with a plan that reduces your health insurance costs based on your income, as ACA marketplace plans do. For example, a health insurance plan for someone who is recently unemployed can cost $47 per month. That assumes the person chooses a cheap Bronze plan and their total income for the year is $35,000, including the parts of the year when employed.
While Medicaid is even cheaper than the ACA marketplace, it’s only available for those who meet the income requirements, which can be less than $18,754 for individuals in many states. If you recently lost your job or your spouse is employed, it will be harder to qualify for Medicaid because other income sources, including unemployment income, are included when determining eligibility.
When shopping for coverage, watch out for short-term health insurance plans and their high deductibles. The cheap prices of these plans are attractive, but before the benefits kick in, you could have to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket for medical care.
| Provides the same coverage that you had through your job, but costs can be high. | Automatically eligible to continue your job-based insurance after you stop working. |
Discounts And Ways To Save
Many people who are unemployed will qualify for ACA marketplace programs to reduce the monthly cost of health insurance and make health care more affordable. The amount you could save is based on your estimated annual income, which may include parts of the year when you were employed.
Your marketplace application will automatically tell you if you qualify.
- Premium tax credits: These subsidies reduce the monthly cost of health insurance based on your annual income. Subsidies are available for all marketplace plans except Catastrophic plans, and the amount of the monthly discount is based on your total annual income. These subsidies were initially limited to those making up to 400% of the federal poverty level , but they were extended to some making more than that in 2021. The expanded subsidies have been extended through 2025.
- Cost-sharing reductions: This program improves an insurance plan’s benefits, making medical care more affordable. It’s only available for Silver plans and for those who earn 100% to 250% of the FPL. If you qualify, the program will lower a plan’s deductible, copayments and out-of-pocket maximum.
For an example of how premium tax credits work, the full price of a cheap Bronze plan averages $336 per month, based on the most affordable Bronze plan in each state. After premium tax credits are applied, the cost drops to $47 per month, on average, for someone earning $35,000 per year. That’s an 86% discount.
Join A Family Member’s Plan
If you’re unemployed, you may be able to get health insurance coverage through a parent, spouse, domestic partner or another family member. This can be an affordable option because frequently an employer will contribute to the cost of the health insurance plan.
On average, it costs an additional $209 per month to add a second adult to an employer-sponsored health insurance plan.
Your actual costs will vary based on the plan’s benefits and how much the employer contributes to the cost. Usually, if you qualify for medical coverage, you’re also eligible for the associated vision or dental plans.
Read Also: Nearest Eye Doctor That Accepts Medicaid
How Do I Apply For Benefits If I Was Fired For Not Getting Vaccinated
If your state has mandated a vaccination requirement for your industry and youre fired for refusing to comply you might not be eligible. Youll want to check if theres an exemption you qualify for based on state or company law. You can apply for benefits by filing a claim with your states unemployment insurance program. You can find the contact information to start your claim here.
If you do apply for unemployment benefits and the employer challenges your claim, you will likely end up in court. As such, you should contact an attorney to pursue a claim or file an appeal.
What Coverage Can Families Without Job
Everyones circumstances are different, but in general people can qualify for a few different kinds of comprehensive coverage in the aftermath of losing a job and job-based coverage.
An initial assessment of the kind of coverage a family qualifies for requires three pieces of information: 1) the state of residence, 2) the households monthly income right now including some of their unemployment insurance benefit, 3) the households projected annual income for the entire calendar year, including from earnings before losing a job, from all unemployment insurance, and from income they expect to earn at a new job later in the year.
Monthly income and annual income are calculated according to different rules, which are particularly confusing because of some new rules related to COVID-19:
An estimate of monthly and annual income allows an assessment of what coverage a household may be eligible for.
Also Check: How Do I Apply For Medicaid In Washington State
I Am Now Unemployed How Can I Find Health Insurance
Health coverage options are available for people who have recently been laid off or lost their employer sponsored health insurance benefits:
- Granite Advantage Health Care Program: Medicaid Expansion coverage for no or low income individuals, ages 19-64
- Childrenâs Medical Assistance
Granite Advantage/Medicaid
You can enroll in the Granite Advantage Program or other Medicaid Programs if you are low or no income and need health coverage. There are also Medicaid programs available for children, pregnant women, and the medically frail.
- Learn more about the Granite Advantage Program
- Enroll in the Granite Advantage Program or Medicaid coverage through NH Easy or HealthCare.gov.
- There are several Medicaid Managed Care plans to choose from. Do your research to make sure that the plan you choose includes your preferred medical providers.
Health Insurance Marketplace
You can purchase medical and dental plans for yourself and/or your family on HealthCare.gov.
- How do I know if I qualify for the Marketplace outside of the Open Enrollment Period?
- HealthCare.gov provides Special Enrollment Periods for people who may have recently lost their employer sponsored health insurance coverage.
- You can apply for the SEP 60 days before they know their coverage will end and 60 days from the date you lost coverage.
- If you do not apply 60 days from the date your health insurance terminated, you will not be able to take advantage of the SEP.
Need Help?
What Information Will I Need To Have Ready To Apply
You will need to provide information such as name, date of birth, and gender for all members of the household. You will need to provide information about all sources of income received by household members and whether individuals have other insurance. For more on what counts as income, read this blog by Tricia Brooks. You will also need to provide Social Security numbers for anyone applying for coverage.
You May Like: Ent Doctors That Accept Medicaid
Income Requirements For Maryland Medicaid
One of the biggest requirements for Maryland Medicaid is income limits. You will be asked to provide information based on your household size and total monthly income. You will need to include the income of all working members of your household applying for coverage. For instance:
- An adult applying for insurance with a household size of 3 is eligible for coverage if they make $28,180 or less per year.
- A single expectant mother is eligible for coverage provided she makes $42,874 a year or less.
- A child applicant in a household size of 2 is eligible for insurance if the combined household income does not exceed $34,266.
You can learn more specific income limit information by clicking here.
Recommended Reading: Does Medicaid Pay For Dentures In Nc
How Much Will Medicaid Cost Me
It depends. Every state is different. You will probably not have to pay a monthly premium for Medicaid, but most people do have some out-of-pocket costs.2 Emergency services, family-planning services, pregnancy-related services and preventive care for children are all fully covered with no additional cost to you.
Read Also: Social Security Medicare And Medicaid
How Does Cobra Insurance Work If I Quit My Job
COBRA will continue the same insurance policy you have through your employer. Any spending toward the plan’s deductible will carry over to the COBRA plan after you quit. However, the amount you pay for health insurance will increase because your employer won’t be contributing to the monthly cost of the plan. On average, COBRA costs $596 per month.
Can I Get Health Insurance If I Am Unemployed
If youre unemployed you may be able to get an affordable health insurance plan through the Marketplace, with savings based on your income and household size. You may also qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Childrens Health Insurance Program . Your household size and income, not your employment status,
Recommended Reading: Does Medicare Medicaid Pay For Dentures
Will Medicaid Pay For Primary Insurance Copays
Most Medicaid recipients in Arizona dont owe a monthly premium for the services. Instead, youll only need to make payments while receiving care.
If youre 19 or older, you might have to make small copayments for Medicaid-covered services. You wont have to cover copayments, however, if youre 18 or younger, pregnant, in hospice care, or exempt under certain other conditions.
Arizona Medicaids copayments will be much more affordable than copayments from private insurance companies. Keep in mind that if your primary insurance provider charges a copay to receive services, Medicaid may not cover that. You will need to contact your Medicaid service provider to find out.
I Got Laid Off But They Offered Me Cobra It Is Way Too Expensive Can I Qualify For Medicaid
Maybe. For many people, COBRA, the insurance you can buy into when you lose your job, is too expensive. And even if you decide to enroll in COBRA, it doesnt mean you cant apply for Medicaid. You can apply for and enroll in Medicaid any time. If you qualify for Medicaid, you can drop your COBRA coverage even after you enrolled in it.
Read Also: What Is Medicaid With A Spenddown
Protect Your Familys Health You May Qualify For Health Coverage We Are Here To Help
The New Mexico Medicaid Program, beWellnm , and the New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool are working together to help you find health coverage during this unprecedented and challenging time. If you have had a recent change in employment or income, have lost your current plan or wish to become insured for the first time, we may have a good option for you.
All three programs cover comprehensive benefits like doctors visits, hospitalizations, prescriptions, mental health services and more. All testing and treatment related to COVID-19 will be covered at no cost to you.
What Does Medicaid Cover In New York
Medicaid gives beneficiaries quite a broad range of coverage with regards to health insurance. This includes visits to the doctor, hospital stays, care in a nursing home, home health care, and more.
Medicaid also pays for prescriptions. If you ever have to pay a copay, it will be one that is relatively small.
Also Check: How To Get Help With Medicaid
What Are The Best Ways For The Unemployed To Get Health Insurance
When youre unemployed, you do not need to go without health insurance. You have options, like private health insurance and government-backed health insurance. Those under 26 have the opportunity to get coverage through a parents health insurance provider. If you have a spouse with health care, they can add you to their plan.
Health Insurance Options When Youre Unemployed
Read Also: How To Apply For Va Unemployability
Medicaid Expansion For The Unemployed
Under the Affordable Care Act, states have the option to expand Medicaid to families with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. To rapidly absorb the unemployed into affordable coverage, states should have the option to further expand Medicaid to two categories of enrollees: 1) individuals who are receiving unemployment insurance benefits or who were receiving unemployment insurance benefits that expired during the public health emergency and 2) families with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. As under the current Medicaid program, eligible individuals who are enrolled in ACA coverage or employer coverage would be able to switch to Medicaid.
For the first eligibility category, states would automatically enroll in Medicaid all individuals who receive unemployment insurance benefits or food stampsunder the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program regardless of their income. This auto-enrollment would be similar to the current Express Lane Eligibility option, in which several states enroll children in Medicaid or the Childrens Health Insurance Program based on their SNAP eligibility.
States would guarantee continuous eligibility for these enrollees until the end of the public health emergency, at which point their eligibility would be redetermined. If they are no longer receiving unemployment insurance benefits, they would qualify for Medicaid under the second eligibility category.
Read Also: Does Medicaid Cover Gastric Bypass In Colorado
Why Are Letters Going Out Now
Two reasons. First, we want to give everyone impacted by this cut as much notice as possible in order to make plans for such a change and begin the process of seeing if individuals may be eligible for other services. We know from speaking with some individuals and their families already that explaining these complex reductions can take time.
Second, because of federally required timelines and approval processes, we must start the public notice step of rulemaking, CMS notification and their approval process. This could be lengthy. We believe it to be responsible to explain to enrollees what that public notice means, provide advice on applying for other available programs, and how to contact us if they have questions.
Read Also: Am I Eligible For Medicaid In Ohio
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
Yeah, thats a mouthful. No wonder we just call it COBRA. With COBRA insurance, you can extend your employer-based coverage for a limited period of time after youve left your job. Big sigh of relief, right?
But before you fully exhale, take a look at the pros and cons:
COBRA Pro: Under federal law, employers must allow employees to keep their healthcare plan for 18 months after theyve left their job. 1
COBRA Con: Youll pay the full cost of your health insurance premium yourself. Your employer wont be pitching in anymore. Based on that math, itll be more expensive. Talk to your employer when you leave to find out what your new COBRA premium will be.
And if those high COBRA premiums are squeezing your budget too tight, you can always check out the governments health insurance marketplace…
Read Also: Will Medicaid Pay For Daycare
When Should You Use Cobra
COBRA is usually not the most cost-effective way to get health insurance. We recommend that you only use it for a few months or in the following situations:
- Stopgap to continue coverage while waiting for another policy to begin.
- To keep using a plan’s benefits when you’re receiving ongoing health care and you’ve already met the plan’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. In this situation, the higher monthly costs of a COBRA plan are offset by lower medical costs because the plan details carry forward when it switches from employer coverage to COBRA.
Availability And Length Of Coverage
Many states have developed their own rules about short-term insurance plans, and therefore, access can change by location.
You can’t buy short-term health insurance in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Across these locations, either plans aren’t permitted or there are no companies selling short-term plans in the state. The states are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
The maximum length of a policy also varies by state. The total length of coverage, including renewals, can be as short as three months as in states like Virginia and Washington. Other states like Minnesota allow coverage for up to a year, and in Louisiana, coverage is allowed for a total of 36 months.
Also Check: How Do I Receive Medicaid
Who Is Not Eligible For Covered California
Immigrants who are not lawfully present do not qualify for a health plan through Covered California however, they may qualify for coverage through Medi-Cal up to age 19 or for pregnancy coverage. Immigrants who are not lawfully present can also buy private health insurance on their own outside of Covered California.
More Recent Data On Medicaid Enrollees
When we use the Census Bureaus Annual Social and Economic Supplement to the Current Population Survey to look at adults actually enrolled in Medicaid in 2016, we similarly find that large shares of working enrollees would be at risk of losing coverage under state work requirement policies. The CPS ASEC does not track monthly hours and earnings, so we cannot directly evaluate whether participants would have met Kentuckys Medicaid work requirement standard in any given month. However, it does ask participants about their total earnings over the course of the year, number of weeks of work, and usual weekly hours, as well as whether they were enrolled in Medicaid. Also, because the survey is conducted annually, more recent data are available, from a period after the ACAs Medicaid expansion took effect. We therefore use the CPS ASEC to look at patterns of work participation among adults who report being enrolled in Medicaid at some point during the year.
The 2016 CPS results also confirm that our key findings hold in an economy closer to full employment.
Don’t Miss: What Eye Center Accept Medicaid
