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Is there such thing as health insurance for unemployed people?

man with question seeks unemployed health insuranceYes, there are actually types of health insurance that are geared for the unemployed. For instance, there’s something called short-term health insurance, which is very beneficial if you can’t afford a long-term policy right now. The most common reason people choose short term insurance is because not only does it have low monthly associated costs, but it also has the ability to cover most emergency medical expenses that occur.

The best way to find a health insurance plan that fits your situation is to compare the prices before you buy – enter your zip code now in the comparison tool to receive a free list of health insurance quotes!

Since an emergency has the potential to make an unemployed situation even worse, some coverage is definitely better than nothing, when it comes to preventing the bills from piling up. Sometimes, short-term health insurance is approved the same day that you apply for it. However, if you don’t think you’re going to be able to find a job within the year, you may want to look for another option.

What happens if I decide to skip getting health insurance?

Going without adequate health insurance can be a very costly mistake. Although you don’t technically have to purchase a health insurance plan, you should consider finding one that you can afford because without health insurance you’re responsible for all of your medical costs.

This includes things like routine visits to the doctor, emergency medical trips and any prescription medicines that you have to take. Since some medications cost several thousand dollars per month without insurance, going without coverage can really rack up the bills.

The most common reasons unemployed people have to go without having health insurance is because they lose their employee benefits, like having their health insurance covered, when they lose their job. Fortunately, there are other ways around this – even if you don’t have the out-of-pocket costs to purchase insurance.

If you’re struggling to find insurance, then you may want to start looking at state funded health programs and ways to lower your medical costs. For instance, you can often negotiate the amount of money you have to pay with your doctor.

Sometimes, it’s possible to lower the amount of money you owe to the hospital for an emergency visit, as well, so that you aren’t overrun with debt. WebMD also recommends looking around for a health care provider so that you can get the best deal available.

There are also no-cost and sliding scale health clinics available in many areas. However, it’s important to note that some facilities only offer limited health care. If you have a very specialized condition, then you will probably need to find another alternative. On the other hand, no-cost health clinics are great for routine checkups and generic prescriptions, like birth control.

Are there any federal programs that will help me get health insurance?

There is a federal program called COBRA that can make it so that you keep your previous employee health insurance benefits for a short amount of time if you recently lost your job in the last 60 days.

However, this may not be an option if you don’t have a steady source of income coming in because the costs for insurance under COBRA can really add up. Additionally, COBRA is only available to you if you were already receiving benefits from your employer – you can’t start getting them after becoming unemployed.

What’s the best way to find affordable health insurance?

One of the most important things to remember when you’re trying to choose a plan that’s right for you is that sometimes the low upfront cost plans normally end up costing more in the long run – which definitely makes them unsuitable if you don’t have a steady stream of income.

Instead, you should treat finding health insurance as you would any other consumer service or product – you don’t have to settle for no insurance because you don’t think that you can afford a policy. Make sure you take the time to look around before deciding on anything, and always compare rates between insurance companies so that you get the lowest rate possible.

If you’re having a hard time finding an online health insurance plan that works for you, then try comparing rates from some of the leading companies – enter your zip code for your free quote today!