Even losing a job may be a very stressful process not only emotionally but also financially. The problem of accessing affordable health insurance is one of the greatest concerns of people without jobs. Covering the health is crucial in controlling health matters in general and the spending on healthcare in particular as well as making sure that required medical care is accessible. Luckily, regardless of the country you live in, be it the United States or a European Union member-state, you have some of the alternatives that will guide you towards getting a cheap health insurance when you lose your job. These are some of the different channels and approaches of acquiring low-cost health insurance when you are not working and this paper is meant to guide you through the different available channels so that you can identify the most suitable solution to your healthcare needs.
The importance of the Health Insurance.
Health insurance offers you some kind of financial security against the risk of incurring stiff medical bills through a part of your healthcare expenses. This comprises of physician care, emergency treatments, routine preventive care and hospitalization. On the one hand, in case of a form of medical emergency, or completely unanticipated sickness, the cost might be high if one does not have health insurance coverage; which may originate in serious financial pressure. Those who become unemployed can have health insurance and remain healthy and focused to seek new sources of income, and they will be certain that in case of any health problems they can address it without any concerns over the cost of it.
Unemployed Health Insurance in the United States
In America, when you lose a job, it does not suppose that you lose the health insurance. In the country, there are various avenues that one can use to sustain or even access health coverage even when one is unemployed and they include government programs, Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, and others. Although the cost of the health insurance premiums can be very high, the financially poor strategies and the financial assistance programs can make the insurance program affordable even to the unemployed.
COBRA Unemployed Health Insurance
When you lose your job but were once covered with an employer sponsored health care plan you can get COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) continuation coverage. COBRA will enable you maintain that same health insurance you enjoyed when you were employed; albeit briefly usually 18 months after losing the job. Nevertheless, COBRA is not always cheap, because you will need to pay the full premium, with the part that was once paid by your employer. Although it is more costly, COBRA may be a beneficial short-term solution in the event of continuous care and in the situation where switching to a different plan due to preexisting conditions is inconvenient or problematic.
How to use the Health Insurance Marketplace
The Health Insurance Marketplace, also referred to as the Exchange, can be excellent alternative to COBRA in case it becomes too costly or not available at all to unemployed people in the United States. Individuals and families can get health insurance plans at the Marketplace, available in different amounts and premiums. Among the pluses of using the Marketplace, you can get financial assistance basing on the level of income you have. The benefits in form of subsidies and tax credits are on offer so as to enable health insurance to be affordable to low-to-moderate income earners by subsidizing their premiums. Open Enrollment into the Marketplace would usually be once in a year, but should you undergo a qualifying life event-loss of job or income, you may have undergone a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) and sign up during the so-called outside Open Enrollment Period.
Medicaid: Low-Cost Health Insurance to the Low-Income Americans
Medicaid is a program in which the government promotes free or affordable health insurance to poor people or with low income who qualify. Medicaid cover may be offered to you in case you are not employed and earning below a certain standard amount of money. Each state has its income limits and rules with regard to Medicaid eligibility. The eligibility requirements differ in various states that participated in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by expanding Medicaid to allow medically needy individuals with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. The process of applying to Medicaid is quite simple, and you can gain their services either online at your states Medicaid program, or at the actual local offices.
Medicare to the Older Unemployed Individuals
When you are 65 and above, and unemployed, you could are eligible to receive government health care insurance services or Medicare. Medicare covers the hospital expenses, medication, and medical care. In case you do not have a job, you can get a primary Medicare and never pay the premiums as long as you have attained 10 years of working and contributing to the same scheme. In individuals below 65 years, the coverage of Medicare can be extended to individuals with some forms of disability. Although, Medicare is largely affordable, it does not mean that certain beneficiaries will not be required to make some payments to receive the health care services they need especially when it depends on their chosen plan.
Short Term Health Insurance Covers
An alternative solution to the unemployed in the need of a temporary cover is the short term health insurance plans. These plans have limited cover and are lengthy between a few months to a year. Although short-term plans might be cheaper in comparison with traditional health insurance, it is common that they lack the comprehensive coverage. They can exclude pre-existing conditions, or such essential health benefits as maternity care or mental health services. But nonetheless, temporary solutions such as a short-term insurance plan could work out to be a good option when an individual needs a cover in the meantime whilst in between jobs or awaiting commencement of another health cover.
Using the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek Coverage
You could be a veteran (or a member of a veteran) and have access to health coverage available at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA provides a wide range of healthcare services within its means to deserving veterans such as medical care, hospital services, prescription medicine, mental health service and so on. There are certain service-related conditions which you should achieve in order to attain VA benefits. In case you are an unemployed veteran, you are able to receive these services at no charge/or at a lower cost, depending on your level of income, and qualification.
European Union Health Insurance Options by the Unemployed
In the European Union, there are different health insurance systems where some countries offer universal healthcare coverage, whereas in the other countries, they offer both public and private covers. Irrespective of the employed system, the unemployed people in the EU have the opportunity to obtain affordable health insurance, not only with the help of the public health schemes but also with privately established insurance companies. Let us have a look at what health insurance opportunities EU has to offer to the unemployed people.
The EU Systems of Public Health Care
Most of the EU members including the UK, France, Germany and Spain have universal healthcare largely funded publicly. In most of these countries the health insurance programs are normally offered by the government. In case of the unemployed people, the citizens, it usually happens that in many cases the healthcare may be free of cost or very minimal cost; depending on the country. The aim of a public health system is to ensure that all the residents, including the unemployed get access to the necessary health services, including the visit of doctors, treatment in the hospital, emergency services, and prescriptions. Exceptions can only be on dental care or elective surgeries which may not be covered completely on the public insurance.
The EU Get the Contributions to Public Healthcare in the EU
Although taxation is the primary way of funding of a public healthcare system in the EU, even a blind can lose his job and still has to make contributions to the system to retain his/her coverage of the system. As an example, in certain EU member states unemployed people can be not only asked to pay a small contribution dependent on their earning level in spite of the fact that they are unemployed. In other nations, out of work people can be insured by social security program and also do not need to assemble any gains on the off chance that they are acquiring unemployment benefits or on the off chance that they meet particular monetary thresholds.
The case of Private Health Insurance in EU
Most of the medical services in the EU are free under the public healthcare system but some people might opt out to take up their own private health insurance in addition to the services provided. In the EU the more usual result of private health insurance is getting access to quicker medical services, a greater choice of providers of health services, and covering health care which might not be covered by the public scheme, e.g. dental care and glasses. But freelancers and self-employed individuals, as well as the unemployed might be willing to seek an insurance in the privately offered policies so as they have a complete coverage at hand, particularly when due to this they can gain easier access to their system/services in fewer time.
ID has been introduced in the health insurance subsidies in the EU.
There might be subsidies or financial assistance schemes in some of the EU countries to cover the expenses in purchasing health insurance as long as the person is unemployed. These programs are formulated so as to ensure that everyone irrespective of whether they are employed or not gets affordable healthcare. An example is France and Germany where there are schemes to give subsidised health insurance to those with poor income including the unemployed. The subsidies will be able to make health insurance premiums more affordable and guarantee the people who have lost their jobs that they can receive the healthcare services which need to be undertaken.
Eligibility to Public Health Insurance of Unemployment in the EU
Access to the national health insurance in the EU mostly relies on the legislation of the state and the employer of the person who is accessing the insurance. In those countries where there is universal healthcare, the unemployed people are usually covered by government funded schemes and the coverage is usually irrespective of the fact that you have worked with that social system or contributed into the social security system. As an illustration, the unemployed workers who receive social security are carefree to use the services of health concerns through the National Health Service (NHS) in addition to not having the premiums in United Kingdom. But in certain member countries of the EU, a person without work might have to fulfil requirements in the field of income or submit applications to certain schemes in order to receive public health cover.
Receiving Healthcare as a Non-working EU Citizen
The situation in the EU countries with officially publicly funded and avenued healthcare is mostly normal when dealing with accessing basic healthcare as an unemployed person. Even unemployed citizens in such countries as France, Spain and Italy receive equal healthcare insurance access as that of employed citizens so long as they satisfy required residency or income requirements. After being registered on the local health insurance system, you can then enjoy basic health services including visits to doctors, hospitalization and even prescription drug cover. Although some services like dental care or voluntary surgeries may not be insured by the government it is possible to receive it with the use of the private health insurance.
The Value of Health Insurance to the Unemployed People
The unemployed people should particularly be covered by health insurances since they might struggle to cover their medical expenses on an off and on pattern though still require the medical care. Those who are unemployed might be at a higher risk of illness, and lack of insurance might result in the scenario when they cannot afford to get proper treatment on time. Health insurance helps to address the risks of happenings which may happen when you may have medical problems or have an on going health condition by making sure that the required care is not out of reach or hindered because whatever care is needed is affordable and available even when you are off the job.
The Effect Unemployment Tolers on Health Insurance Coverages
Loss of a job can have a great effect on the cover of health care insurance of an individual. In the US, when you lose a job, you also can lose your health insurance program that was sponsored by your employer unless you wish to continue with your health insurance under the COBRA continuation coverage or get one through the Health Insurance Market company. In the EU, although the access of basic healthcare is guaranteed, when patients lose their employer-sponsored privately insured healthcare, they could struggle to find themselves without any health insurance only having substandard health coverage at state work or being required to buy an extra insurance cover privately. The importance of knowing what unemployment will do to you as far as choosing health insurance is concerned, and how to get yourself insured on an alternative basis cannot be over-emphasized to ensure you have access to care.
Tips on Locating a Low-Cost Health Insurance when not earning income
An individual who is unemployed needs to research and plan to obtain his affordable health insurance. In the U.S., you can shop using the Health Insurance Marketplace at which you can receive subsidies depending on your salary. In the EU, you can either research on what healthcare is available to all or you buy a health insurance cover in case you wish to add to your cover. Seek subsidies, employer provided assistance programs, or employer-paid continuation such as COBRA to lower your share of the costs. To find the cheapest cover, it is advisable to research about your options and consult a professional to offer their advice.
The Solution to Paying Healthcare when Unemployed
In case you are unemployed and experience increased healthcare expenses, the latter can be addressed in a variety of ways. When you are generally healthy, it is better to find health insurance programs that have low premiums and high deductibles. Use your insurance benefits of preventive care services to prevent expensive health problems in the future. You can as well think of generic or outpatient medication rather than an expensive medication. Also, you should inquire about community health initiative or government subsidies to healthcare coverage so that you can be able to seek the required services at a low price.
Future of Health Insurance among the Un-employed Folks
The future of unemployed persons health insurance is expected to change especially in the cases where universal healthcare system is set up or the governments are providing more people with the government funded health insurance plans. Such initiatives as the health insurance coverage point and Medicaid promises made in the U.S. can be more advantageous to cover those who do not have jobs. In the EU, further innovation toward the healthcare policies and the model of the public insurance can offer more comprehensive and cheaper coverage to the unemployed.
Conclusion
It is vital to have health insurance that is affordable in a difficult period during which you are not employed. The process of either acquiring health coverage in the U.S or EU has numerous avenues that can be used to receive coverage; they include governmental systems such as Medicaid, and specialized healthcare systems belonging to the state, as well as the coverage through a privately owned insurance plan. Getting familiar with the eligibility, the range of options available and having a plan for when you will not have medical insurance anymore will help you make sure that, even in the period of employment loss, you will be able to access essential medical care, being able to devote your efforts to new working opportunities, without having to think repeatedly about the financial expenses for seeking medical assistance.