{"id":5610,"date":"2022-07-18T07:09:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-18T12:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/?p=5610"},"modified":"2025-04-10T14:25:27","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T19:25:27","slug":"health-insurance-for-unemployed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/healthcare\/health-insurance-for-unemployed\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get health insurance: A guide for the newly unemployed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Editor\u2019s Note:<\/em><\/strong> When you lose a job, you lose more than just a paycheck. You may also lose any employer-sponsored health care coverage. Fortunately, you have lots of options for keeping or replacing your current health insurance policy.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting laid off will make you feel bad enough, but realizing that you now have to figure out what to do about your health insurance can fill you with absolute dread. While we can\u2019t get you a new job, we can help you sort out the options you have when you lose employer-paid health insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get health insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Believe it or not, there are many ways to get health insurance as an unemployed person. While you lose employer-sponsored health insurance coverage, you can access insurance through COBRA, the Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, and even a few other options. But, where and how to get health insurance depends on a number of factors, which we\u2019ll cover below.<\/p>\n\n\n

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COBRA<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your employer has 20 or more workers, you may be able to keep the health insurance coverage you got from your employer coverage health plan for up to 18 months thanks to COBRA<\/a>. The catch? You may have to pay for it\u2014and it\u2019s expensive. You may be responsible for paying the costs typically paid by both the employee and the employer, plus an additional 2% for administrative costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, you generally get at least 60 days to decide whether you want to continue the unemployment insurance and then another 45 days to pay your first premium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since you have 60 days to decide, you don\u2019t have to say yes or no to COBRA right away. You can ask HR for a list of all the health insurance plans your company offers. If your former employer offers a lower-cost policy, you may be able to switch into it if you end up unemployed for more than 60 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also ask if your employer-provided coverage will go through the end of the month. If it does, get your prescriptions refilled and doctor visits in before you lose coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health Insurance Marketplace plans<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

During the 60-day COBRA window, check out your other coverage options, starting with the Health Insurance Marketplace<\/a>, a federally sponsored affordable health insurance program.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filling out the online Marketplace forms can help you understand possible costs and benefits. On the website, you\u2019ll find out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n