Health Insurance For Unemployed

health insurance for unemployed
Insurance Information : How to Get Health Insurance When Unemployed

If an unemployed person (without health insurance) has an urgent medical conditon, what are their options?

Obviously most (if not all) of those greedy HMOs are going to deny benefits to anyone for the first six months after they take out a new insurance policy, because they’re going to argue that it was a pre-existing condition.

You can go to the emergency room, tell the registration rep that you do NOT have insurance and you wish to apply for your state’s hospital assistance program that helps low income families pay their hospital bills. They will help you apply and you can get your bills paid in full. I used this program a few times when I was between jobs a few years ago. The program in NJ is called “Charity Care”. It’s a hospital assistance program. It is based on your income, assets and family size. When I say assets, I mean if you have a business, how much money you have in your bank account, if you receive child support, etc.

OR you can go to your state’s Board of Social Services office TOMORROW (or go on their website now) and apply for free health insurance. It goes to anyone who is low income or has NO income. In your case, you are unemployed so you are eligible. If you have kids, they are automatically eligible.

I am unemployed with 2 kids, my husband works and we still get free health insurance from the Board of Social Services. My state provided Medicaid temporarily until our free HMO kicked in after like 30 days. We don’t have any copays, no copays for doctors visits, dentists, or ER visits, free prescriptions, free eye glasses, etc. NJ has a great program.

Good luck. By the way there is NOTHING wrong with asking for help from the government. It becomes a problem when you refuse to get a job and purposely use the government for all free programs offered. I am not illegal and I get help. I lost my job in April and have been going to college full time ever since. Before the economy took a dive, I was making $50,000 a year with no college degree. I am now trying to educate myself and provide myself with more opportunities and job security. Because I am taking part in school while unemployed, I received grants to go to school, as well as extensions in unemployment, and help from the Board of Social Services. Please don’t discriminate and group all people who receive help into lazy ghetto people or immigrants. That is not true. I live in the suburbs, I am just having a rough time right now. There are millions of people unemployed right now. It’s the right thing for the government to temporarily help us out.

Good luck

Affordable Health Insurance For Unemployed

How can I get affordable health insurance if I’m unemployed?

There are many ways you can obtain affordable health insurance, even after you’ve become unemployed. Check into COBRA, converting your former group health insurance plan into an individual health insurance plan, or a state continuation plan in which you can continue being covered under your previous group health insurance plan for a certain period of time.

What if my last job didn’t offer health insurance?

There are a few reasons why some employers don’t offer health care benefits. Since employers aren’t legally required to offer health insurance, not all do. Plus, if you work part-time, you usually aren’t eligible for your employer’s health benefits package.

If your last job did not offer health insurance benefits, you most likely won’t be eligible for assistance such as COBRA, conversion, or state continuation. You can, however, contact your state’s department of insurance to find information about any affordable health insurance plans they offer for unemployed individuals. You may also want to ask about your eligibility for state-sponsored health care, as well as Medicaid.

Are there options for unemployed people to get help with prescription medications?

Yes. Many companies that make and distribute prescription medications have special programs to assist those people who need prescription medicine but can not afford it otherwise. If you know your particular prescription medication company, contact them for more information. If you don’t know, contact your state’s department of insurance for help.

How can I find affordable health coverage for my children?

It is important your children keep continuous health insurance coverage. If you’re able to take advantage of COBRA, conversion, or state continuation, be sure to do so. If not, make sure you ask your state’s department of insurance specifically about state health care programs for your children. Depending on your income and assets, you may be eligible for free, or very low-cost, health insurance for you children.