Can You Keep Your Health Insurance if You Lose Your Job?

Health insurance is an essential purchase in the modern world.  Without health insurance, you’ll find yourself at the mercy of hospitals, doctors and pharmaceutical companies should anything untoward happen.  Most people get their health insurance through their employer… but what if you have recently become unemployed?  Can you keep your health insurance if you have been laid off from your job?

The first thing that you need to do is talk to your human resources department to find out how to sign up for COBRA insurance.  COBRA was once very expensive, but government regulations have changed that considerably.  In fact, it is now almost 70% cheaper than it once was.  However, COBRA is not permanent – you can remain on this plan for up to three years after the loss of your job.  This should give you some measure of comfort.

Another option is to just keep health insurance on your children, although you may have to do a little shopping around.  For instance, in Georgia, Peach Care offers low-cost insurance for kids.  CHIP is another program that will provide health care protection for your little ones.  While adults are not covered under these types of plans, they can offset costs if your children become ill or get injured while you’re unemployed, and offer some considerable peace of mind.

Finally, if you lost your job because it was outsourced to another country, then the government might be able to help you keep your health insurance.  There is currently a health care tax credit that can save you up to 80% on your health insurance costs, which can make keeping your insurance a reality for many people who find themselves unemployed in today’s society.