Finding health insurance can be tricky at best and nearly impossible at worst. So what do you so if you're in need of health insurance? Follow the steps in this article to find solutions.
Step1
Are you eligible for COBRA benefits? If you are leaving a job in which you have health insurance, you may be eligible for COBRA benefits. This keeps you insured while you look for other options.
COBRA is temporary and is usually more expensive that what you are currently paying so look to it as a short-term solution.
Step2
Does your spouse have insurance through an employer? If so, this is probably your best best for having easy access to health insurance. Find out the particulars - coverage offered, cost, when you can enroll -to evaluate this option
Step3
Look into individual health insurance plans. A health insurance plans that you buy as an individual can be a great solution, particularly if you are young and healthy. You can evaluate some health insurance plans directly, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield. Others are best investigated through a health insurance agent or broker.
Step4
Consider professional organization. Depending on the line of work in which you are involved, there may be professional organizations that offer health insurance to members of their group. Check with any organizations of which you are a member. Also, talk to colleagues in the same line of work to see if they have any health insurance leads for you. Finally, some organizations for the self-employed have health insurance options. Just be sure to evaluate all policies carefully.
Step5
As a last resort, consider a state pool. If you find that you are uninsurable due to health conditions, the state you live in probably has a high risk pool of which you can become a member. This should probably be your last resort since, depending on the state, these health insurance coverages are typically bare bones and expensive
