How to Get Health Insurance If You’re Recently Uninsured

Many politicians have used the lack of affordable health care and insurance as a platform while on the campaign trail. Coming up with a solution, however appears to be elusive as millions of Americans remain without health care coverage. With unemployment and job loss on the rise the number of people uninsured will continue to rise accordingly.  Medical bills are a factor in half of bankruptcies filed -with gaps in medical coverage leaving many people exposed to catastrophic medical bills because they are unable to get cheap health insurance.

Risk factors extend beyond financial woes.

When people cannot afford to pay for medical procedures their pocketbook may become the least of their concerns.

• Uninsured individuals are more likely to die prematurely than their insured peers.
• Uninsured are more prone to succumb to major diseases that may have been detected through routine preventative care- care that is often put off due to financial restraints.
• The odds of uninsured infants dying are 1.5 times more likely than infants that have private insurance.
• Lack of routine health care can lead to emotional issues such as depression and anxiety which can lead to physical ailments, beginning a cycle of symptoms that often go untreated.

Options for the recently uninsured.

If you have recently found yourself without health insurance coverage consider the following options to learn if you qualify for assistance.

• Medicaid- Each state has different guidelines for this government funded program which provides medical coverage for qualifying individuals. To qualify you must meet certain income requirements.  The Medicaid program is geared toward assisting people with low income and limited assets.
• Child Health Insurance- Low cost or free health insurance for children is available in most states for qualifying families. For more information you should contact your local or state government officials to find out if you fall within the income guidelines to qualify.
• Short-term coverage- If you recently lost coverage due to a job loss, check with an experienced health insurance broker to see if you qualify for short-term coverage until you find another job. Due to the limited amount of time the insurer is exposed to claims, some insurers will provide individual policies to cover the gap in employment for less money than standard individual coverage.
• COBRA- This is a relatively well known yet sometimes expensive alternative to extend your health insurance policy from your previous employer. You may be entitled to continue your coverage for up to 18 months, however you will be responsible for the cost of the entire premium.
• Community health centers- Many local community centers provide routine and diagnostic care for little or no cost. Women may qualify for low cost mammograms, pap smears and birth control options at local clinics.

If you find yourself without health insurance it is important to research options available to find affordable coverage or take advantage of programs designed to help individuals in need. Do not wait until an emergency happens to explore the options available; by then it might be too late.