How to Get Health Insurance for the Unemployed Cheap or Free

Losing your job usually means losing your employer-sponsored health care. Loss of the portion your employer paid may leave you unable to afford full coverage, but you have options. Although comprehensive coverage can be very expensive, you decide how inclusive you need your coverage to be. Your circumstances will dictate your choices. Federal and state programs vary in the type of criteria you must meet, but some may be available to you.

Private Insurance Options

• Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for a number of programs through private insurance companies. If you are under the age of 26, you may be covered under your parent's policy, or if you are laid off or lose coverage involuntarily, some opportunities may be available for a job-based health plan under your spouse’s plan. Another option might be to limit coverage of a policy in order to obtain reduced premiums. You can also check your eligibility for a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) policy, which converts your employee-based coverage to a private insurer.

Medicaid

• If you meet certain criteria, you may be eligible for Medicaid. This is a federally funded program administered by the states and provides services for low-income citizens. Although rules vary by state, there are fundamental rules to which all must adhere. You may be required to attain prior approval for some treatments or show proof of a need that necessitates treatment before Medicaid covers you. In some cases, the number of doctor visits may be limited. If you do not qualify for Medicaid for some reason, states have special programs for adults who have inadequate income and resources for which you may be eligible. Contact your local Medicaid office.

Children's Health Insurance Program

• Children's Health Insurance Program is a federal plan that works with Medicaid to provide coverage for young people who cannot afford to buy health insurance and do not qualify for Medicaid. This low-cost health insurance is available for individuals up to age 19 who meet the family income limit. It will also cover labs, labor, delivery charges and up to two months of after-delivery care for pregnant women. Some services may be provided free of charge, while others may require co-payments. States that assess a monthly premium cannot charge more than 5 percent of the family's monthly income.

Community Health Centers

• Community health centers provide preventive and primary care whether you have insurance or not. They may be community hospitals, health centers or clinics. Services such as prenatal care, immunizations and checkups for your dependents, prescription drugs, dental care, general and specialized care, and substance abuse are provided either for free or on an income-based scale. More centers are being added across the country, and more people are being hired to care for the additional patients they service. According to Cecilia Munoz, Director of the Domestic Policy Council, community health centers serve nearly three million more patients today, thanks to the Affordable Care Act and the Recovery Act.