A key indicator of access to healthcare globally is health insurance. Access to healthcare is more likely for those with health insurance than for those without. Health insurance coverage in the United States refers to a health insurance program that aids citizens in paying for medical costs associated with illness.

Therefore, if you’re a citizen or immigrant of the United States, the purpose of this post is to inform you of the health insurance options that are available to you if you lost your health insurance benefits due to unemployment.

US Health Insurance Coverage

A legal right to payment or reimbursement for your medical expenses under a contract with a health insurance company is referred to as “health insurance coverage. Several public and private organizations in the US offer health insurance coverage.

Despite being one of the world’s most industrialized and powerful economies, the United States has yet to achieve universal health care. There are reportedly 30 million Americans without health insurance in 2019. The lack of health insurance, which is associated with higher mortality rates, is one of the main concerns raised by advocates of health care reform.

Although nearly half of all Americans receive health insurance through their jobs, it seems more challenging for those who are unemployed. For everyone else who is unemployed and uninsured, there are options. starting with public services like Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and ending with the private health insurance marketplace.

If you’re concerned about finding health insurance without a job, rest assured that we’ve discovered some reasonably affordable options on this page.

Health Insurance Options for Unemployed

One of the most important developments in the healthcare sector in the last few decades has been the expansion of health insurance coverage. During the Great Depression, a number of hospitals started accepting payments from residents to cover any medical services rendered, which marked the start of the widespread adoption of private health insurance in the United States.

The American Hospital Association developed Blue Cross health insurance plans during this time, allowing enrollees to select any hospital within a city at their discretion. Currently, 36% of all healthcare costs in the United States are covered by private health insurance, which also covers 70% of the population.

Even if you lack both health insurance and a job, you still have options. For those with low incomes, the government created the Medicaid health insurance program. Depending on your state’s eligibility requirements, you may be able to obtain comprehensive health insurance for little to no cost.

If you are not eligible for Medicaid, there are still relatively affordable options available. These private health insurance plans are made more affordable for unemployed people with the aid of government subsidies.

The options for health insurance for unemployed people are listed below; we’ll go over each under the appropriate subheading.

Obamacare Insurance (Affordable Health Insurance)

Consider Obamacare insurance if you don’t have access to health coverage through your job or the government. Anyone can enroll in these health insurance plans during open enrollment. especially those whose health insurance situation has changed due to a recent job loss or other major life event.

Unemployed people can access health insurance through the government’s Health Insurance Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act, a federal law also known as “Obamacare.” Within a specific enrollment period, people are qualified to use the Health Insurance Marketplace to apply for and buy health insurance plans. This suggests that you have a 60-day enrollment window after leaving your job to look for and enroll in a health insurance plan through the Marketplace.

Some states have a health insurance-based marketplace in addition to the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). Consult the health insurance department of your state to learn about the options before selecting a health insurance plan. While some states require applicants to use the federal marketplace, others require them to use the state-based health plan marketplace. If your state offers health insurance, the cost and your eligibility will typically depend on your income and the size of your family.

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

People who recently quit or lost a job with great benefits and have the cash to cover the full cost of their former employer’s health insurance are eligible for COBRA. The cost of COBRA might be justified if you have complicated medical requirements and ties to healthcare providers that you must or want to preserve.

After a job loss, some employees and their families may be able to continue receiving benefits under the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). The federal law COBRA gives you the right to ask your employer or a resource person if you are eligible to continue on the company’s health insurance plan. In some cases, as part of a severance package, your employer pays for health insurance for a brief period of time. Your employer is not required to pay the costs of your health insurance, though.

Keep in mind that COBRA does not apply to health plans provided by the federal government, churches, or entities with a religious affiliation. It only applies to health plans provided by state and local governments and the private sector for businesses with more than 20 employees.

Events that qualify an employee or their family for COBRA coverage include voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduced working hours, employee death, or legal separation of the employee and their spouse.

COBRA coverage is limited to 18 months but can be extended to 36 months in certain circumstances. Remember that you have a two-month (60-day) window after losing your job to enroll in COBRA.

COBRA allows you to keep your coverage, but it is expensive. Instead of sharing costs with your employer, you pay the full cost of coverage.

Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

This is health insurance that is provided to some people for free or at a low cost depending on various criteria. Millions of American children and teenagers receive free or inexpensive medical and dental care through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Only those who accept Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are eligible for Medicaid. Children, those with low incomes, pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those who are disabled are also eligible. Find out whether your Children Qualify for CHIP.

Depending on where you live, you might be eligible for Medicaid if you’re unemployed. Only thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Based on your yearly income, you may be eligible for Medicaid in those states. If your state has not expanded Medicaid, those who are on a low income may not be able to afford the service.

Medicare

Medicare is health insurance for senior citizens and some disabled individuals under age 65. In essence, anyone in the United States who is 65 years of age or older, or whose spouse has paid Medicare taxes for at least ten years, is eligible for Medicare.

The majority of Medicare covers outpatient visits to the doctor and hospital stays (through Part A) (through Part B). Part A has no premium for the majority of people even though the costs of this coverage are quite affordable, but some may be charged a deductible fee for longer stays. For Part B, there are generally $170 monthly premiums and a $233 deductible after which 20% coinsurance is applied to Medicare-approved expenses.

Some individuals purchase supplemental insurance to help cover expenses that Medicare does not cover. Private businesses provide prescription drug plans, or Part D, to help cover the cost of medicines. Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, is available to those who prefer comprehensive benefits bundled.

Joining a Family Plan

For those who have family members or a spouse who can join their plan, this is a fantastic option. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid or if their plan is less expensive than purchasing your own Marketplace insurance plan, joining a family plan is the best option.

Most of the time, we can join our spouse’s health insurance plan if it is employer-based. Although the cost of their health insurance will go up if they add you to the plan, it may still be a good deal to get comprehensive insurance.

Under the ACA, minors under the age 26 could also enroll in their parents’ private health insurance plan. Getting quality coverage for you may be well worth the cost to your parents, even though it will increase their expenses.

Individual Health Insurance or High-Deductible Private Health Insurance

If you don’t want to keep your employer-provided insurance, you can choose this health insurance option. All you have to do to protect yourself and your family is shop for private health insurance. It is simpler if you already have a Health Savings Account (HSA), as the HSA is designed to assist you with out-of-pocket expenses.

You can sign up for a health plan with a high deductible if you have an HSA. This might be a better option for you if you don’t know when your next job will be because the monthly premiums are low.