Juggling unemployment with potential medical expenses? Here are health care options to protect you and your loved ones, even if you don’t have a job.
Health insurance is a prickly issue in the United States. We don’t have universal health care like many other developed countries, so we’re on our own when it comes to getting covered without the help of an employer. Fortunately, there are several different options out there, ranging from Medicaid to private insurance.
Medicaid
Designed for low-income individuals and families, Medicaid currently enrolls more than 72 million Americans and provides quality coverage thanks to expansions under the Affordable Care Act. In order to check whether you qualify for Medicaid, check out your state’s Medicaid requirements. This is likely the most cost-effective option for those without a job who are living with little to no income.
Basic Health Program
If you don’t qualify for Medicaid through your state’s requirements but can’t afford private health insurance, then the Basic Health Program set up by the government could help you. However, not all states have this option, so check Medicaid.gov to see if it’s available for you.
Affordable Care Act
Also known as “Obamacare,” the Affordable Care Act expanded the scope of health care in the United States in many ways, including eliminating pre-existing condition exemptions and improving access to affordable plans for individuals and families. It also provides more tax exemptions and rebates for health insurance purchases.
Through the ACA, you can get insurance at different tiers — gold, silver or bronze — which have various levels of coverage, deductible rates and monthly premiums. The higher up you go, the lower the deductible will be, but the higher the monthly premium rate will also be. Younger people with little to no history of medical problems generally choose the high deductible, low premium plans, while older people might want to go the reverse route to save on out-of-pocket expenses in case of a pricy medical procedure or emergency.
The amount you’ll want to pay in monthly premiums also depends on your present income. If you don’t have a job then paying more than a couple hundred dollars per month for health insurance just isn’t an option. To find out more about costs for marketplace insurance through the ACA, check out coverage options in your area through HealthCare.gov.
Spouse’s Work Plan
Attention, married folks: Look into signing up for your partner’s health insurance through his or her employer if the company allows family members to be added to plans. This could significantly reduce your insurance expenses, since many employers cover part or all of the plan’s costs (which also typically comes at reduced rates thanks to group discounts). Ask your spouse to talk to his or her employer to explore what options you might have available before seeking insurance elsewhere.
University Insurance Plan
If you’re currently a student, you could qualify for your university’s health insurance plan. These plans often cover basic health care and possibly dental and vision. Contact your student health center for more information on coverage and costs. The cost can range between $250 and $500 per semester depending on where you live.
Private Health Insurance
This is by far the most expensive option on this list, but could provide the best coverage with lower deductibles if you expect higher medical bills in the coming months. Even if you don’t have a job, paying more for health insurance now can alleviate problems in the long run in case you do run into some pricy medical issues while you’re not employed (medical bills are one of the leading causes of personal bankruptcy in the U.S.).
While we lack universal health care, we don’t lack options. Even if you’ve lost your job,
there’s still a way to get the coverage you need.
