Below you will find a list of specific situations that may or may not apply to you. If they do, we have provided you with a few tips for your consideration.

If you are healthy...
Make individual health insurance policy your primary consideration. Your health status can change overnight and being on a health plan with an expiration date can greatly limit your options when your COBRA or short-term policies expire.

If have one or more dependents with pre-existing medical conditions...
Consider putting healthy family members on an individual policy and enrolling those that are not eligible in COBRA.

If you know you can't afford your COBRA premium...
Don't decline your COBRA immediately. You have 60 days to decide. During that election period you are still technically insured when you catch up on your back premium. If you have an unexpected illness or injury during these 60 days, you will be much better off paying your COBRA if you have not obtained other coverage. Also, make sure to investigate the COBRA premium reduction program through ARRA as it will likely provide you less expensive net premiums than alternative options.

If you are shopping for the lowest cost health plan...
Beware of limited benefit or discount health plans. If the premium seems "to good to be true", there is usually a reason why. Only consider these options when you have no other choice.

If you comparing other options to your COBRA...
Don't procrastinate. 60 days comes quickly and the underwriting process time when applying for individual health insurance can be unpredictable.

If you not sure if you are eligible for individual health insurance due to health status...
Ask before you complete the application process. Submitting an application when you do meet me the guidelines will result in a "decline for insurance" on your health records which could prevent you from enrolling in other options. If you contact any insurance carrier directly, they should be willing to tell you if your medical condition is a disqualifier for enrollment.

If you; uninsurable; and have no COBRA option...
Contact your state; Department of Insurance to inquiry about the high-risk or guaranteed issue options in your state.

If you are considering being un-insured...
Reconsider. High-deductible, catastrophic health insurance might be less expensive than you think and it will prevent you from having a lapse of coverage that could later prove very costly.

If you need more help...
Consult with one or more licensed health insurance specialists.

We hope that you have found this Guide to Health Insurance for the Unemployment helpful during this trying time. We encourage you to consult with tax accountants, insurance carriers, your Department of Insurance and a licensed health insurance professional in helping you understand your options based on your unique situations and state of residency.

* Please refer to our legal terms and conditions for disclaimers pertaining to the content on this page.