According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 8.5% of Americans were without health insurance at any point during 2018. That’s 27.5 million people and an increase from 7.9% who were uninsured in 2017.
Many people are lucky enough to get health insurance through their employers. And while the unemployment rate in December 2019 was relatively low at 3.5%, that still means there are 5.8 million unemployed Americans.
And they deserve and need healthcare. If you’re one of them, you may be wondering, “how do I get health insurance without a job?” Keep reading, because we want to help.
We’re sharing with you how you can get health insurance without a job.
How Do I Get Health Insurance Without a Job?
Thankfully, you may have a few options to get health insurance, even if you’re unemployed. Keep reading to see which of these options fits your circumstances best.
Medicaid
Medicaid is free or low-cost health insurance for low-income adults, adults with disabilities, pregnant women, and children. It’s government-funded so visit your state’s website to learn if you qualify.
You can apply at any time of the year for Medicaid.
Medicare
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for those who are 65 years or older. Younger individuals with certain disabilities may also qualify for Medicare.
Obamacare
If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, shop the Healthcare Marketplace to find out what rates and cost savings you qualify for under Obamacare.
If you earn between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, you’re eligible for tax credits, subsidies, and other discounts. However, unless you’ve recently moved or lost your job, you may have to wait for open enrollment to begin.
COBRA
You may be eligible for COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) insurance if you’ve recently lost or left your job.
However, it may be expensive and it doesn’t last indefinitely so if you don’t find a new job that offers health insurance within a certain timeframe, you may have to look for insurance again.
Worker’s Compensation
If you aren’t working because of a work-related injury, don’t forget that you should be covered under your state’s Workers’ Compensation program.
That means your employer must pay for your treatment.
Group Insurance Through Your Membership Organization
If you’re not working but belong to a membership, don’t forget what a wealth of benefits that an organization can offer to you. There are networking myriad networking opportunities and they may even offer health insurance choices.
You won’t get help paying for your insurance but you should enjoy a lower rate thanks to their group discount.
Health Insurance Discount Cards
A health insurance discount card means you benefit from lower-cost health services. However, this isn’t an insurance plan.
You do pay a small monthly fee for membership but in return, if you have to go to a doctor or the hospital, you receive discounted rates on services.
Get a Free Quote
If you’re still wondering, “how do I get health insurance without a job,” we can help. We’re an insurance brokerage company and our job is to help people like you find the right insurance whether they’re an individual or have a family.
Don’t wait to get health insurance. Click here to get your free quote today.