Florida Health Insurance For the Unemployed
Florida Health Insurance After You Lose Your Job
Unfortunately, we receive an increasing number of calls from individuals who have lost their job and are concerned about continuing their Florida health insurance.
At times like this, you need to stop and consider all of your options. Let’s take a minute to go over them.
Continue Your Health Insurance with COBRA
COBRA is nothing more than a continuation of your group health insurance. Except, you will now you pay for the whole thing as the employer is no longer contributing to anything towards the premium.
If you were on a Florida group health insurance plan and the following is true:
-
The company is still in business and still offers health insurance to the remaining employees.
-
The company had enough employees to be required to offer you COBRA.
Then you should be sent paperwork and pricing that will permit you to continue your current health insurance.
The advantage of COBRA coverage is that all pre-existing conditions are covered and you cannot be denied coverage for health reasons.
The disadvantages are that it can become very expensive and not be available if you move out of state or out of your area.
The hidden disadvantage is that if you become ill while on COBRA, you might not qualify for lower cost health insurance when it is no longer available. If you are out of work, that can really become a major problem.
For example, you lose your job and elect the COBRA coverage. Six months later you have a pain in your chest and go to the emergency room. The end result was they did an angiogram and put a stent in. You will be fine.
Now a full 18 months has passed and the COBRA has ended. When you go to buy a private health insurance plan you will be declined.
In many instances, I recommend that individuals secure private health insurance while they are able to. It is cheaper than COBRA and cannot be canceled.
Purchase a Private Health Insurance Plan
If you are generally healthy (you do not have to be perfect), you can purchase a private health insurance plan for yourself and/or your family.
Let me be clear about one thing. If you are out of work and concerned about money, then do not start your search by looking to replicate your group health insurance benefits. This is the time to make sure you have basic coverage. I am sure that in many instances you have better things to spend your money on.
With that in mind, a higher deductible health insurance plan will give you more than adequate coverage. If you are concerned about an emergency room visit or a hospital bill, then you should use supplemental insurance to handle these expenses.
It is much less costly to have a high deductible and supplemental insurance than it is to have a low deductible. Plus, you will end up with less out of pocket expenses.
I strongly recommend you discuss this option with me.
Limited Benefit Plans
If you cannot get or afford COBRA and do not medically qualify for private health insurance, we have limited benefit plans available that ask no medical questions.
If you would like a personal quote give me a call. I am here from 9 AM to about 8 PM. You can reach me at 800-272-0512.
FLQUOTE.COM - A Full Service Insurance
Florida agency
Coral Springs, Florida 33076
1-800-272-0512
1-954-757-0033