Do I automatically lose my health insurance when I lose my job?

You won’t necessarily lose your health insurance if you are fired or laid off from your job. If your company has 20 or more employees, and carries health insurance, it falls under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Under this federal law, terminated employees or employees who resign can purchase continued coverage under their former employer’s health insurance plan, at the group rate the employer had been paying (which is generally lower than the street value of the premium) for up to 18 months after the employee has been terminated. Some states have their own version of “COBRA”. For instance, California has Cal/COBRA, which covers employers with 2-19 employees. It requires that former employees be able to purchase coverage for 36  months. Cal/COBRA also adds an additional 18 months of coverage for those employees covered by Federal COBRA, bringing their total insurance coverage to 36 months.

Case Studies: Health Insurance Coverage After Job Loss

Case Study 1: COBRA Coverage

John recently lost his job due to company downsizing. He was concerned about losing his health insurance along with his employment. However, since his former employer had more than 20 employees and provided health insurance coverage, John was eligible for COBRA. He opted to purchase continued coverage under his former employer’s health insurance plan at the group rate for up to 18 months. This allowed him to maintain his health insurance during the transition period while he searched for a new job.

Case Study 2: Lisa’s Cal/COBRA Coverage

Lisa worked for a small company in California that had fewer than 20 employees. When she lost her job, she was worried about the lack of health insurance options. Fortunately, California has its own version of COBRA called Cal/COBRA, which covers employers with 2-19 employees. Lisa was able to purchase coverage for 36 months under Cal/COBRA, ensuring she had continued health insurance during this challenging time.

Case Study 3: Michael’s ACA Marketplace Coverage

Michael, a self-employed individual, lost his job and faced the risk of losing his health insurance. However, he took advantage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace and qualified for a Special Enrollment Period. He swiftly enrolled in a new health insurance plan that suited his needs and budget, ensuring continuous coverage despite his job loss.

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