About Health Insurance for Individuals Between Jobs

If you are without health insurance because of a job loss, the effects could be financially devastating and could have a negative impact on your health. There are ways to obtain coverage if you find yourself in this situation.

Benefits

• Short-term or temporary health insurance can help bridge the gap until you can obtain health insurance coverage through a new employer.

Types

• Under COBRA, you might be able to continue your health coverage up to 36 months after leaving your employer, but you must pay the entire premium. Short-term or temporary plans can also be purchased from private insurers if COBRA does not apply to your situation.

Cost

• With short-term insurance, you can tailor the plan to your situation to keep costs down. For example, if you are in good health, you might want to purchase only major medical coverage to guard against a catastrophic event.

Time Frame

• You can purchase coverage that lasts from 30 to 365 days. At the end of the period, you can have the option to continue coverage or purchase a new plan.

Warning

• Be sure to choose a temporary plan that requires you to pay the deductible only once and not for each occurrence. Also, keep in mind any claim you make under your temporary plan could be considered a preexisting condition if you attempt to get permanent coverage.