Friday, December 26, 2008

Keeping Yourself Insured While Unemployed

By Ethan Kalvin

The loss of a job impacts us in many ways. In addition to the common onset of lower self esteem and the loss of income, the loss of insurance coverage can be considered the most important factor of all. Many have families that require coverage and the lapse can be a gut wrenching blow. A little known fact is that spending a few uninsured months can also aggravate pre-existing conditions which weren't there before. And insurance companies are more frequently scrutinizing bills of those who have not had coverage for some months.

If you find yourself unemployed, your company will more than likely offer you a continuing coverage health insurance program like COBRA. This is a continuation of your companys health insurance plan that is paid for by you out of pocket. The cost tends to be relatively reasonable in most cases, however health insurance in general is pricey and without an income, you may find that the insurance premiums are too much for you to handle.

It is worth investigating the options out there if you find you can't take advantage of COBRA coverage. Independent providers often offer short term or temporary health insurance, usually lasting six months at a time. These can be beneficial if you need to keep your family covered while you are between jobs. They can also often be less expensive than COBRA coverage would have been, especially if your employer paid part of your premiums.

The stress of not being covered by a health insurance plan can claim more attention in our lives than it deserves, but nonetheless, it is an issue. Affordable health care should be a right and not a privilege just for the rich. Hopefully soon our government will be able to provide us all the coverage we deserve.

If you are in need of affordable health insurance, whether it is because you are recently unemployed or because your current employer does not offer health insurance benefits, then one of the best resources you have available to you is the internet. Look up what options are available in your state and also check out all the health care options available. There is surely a plan out there that will keep your family covered, while not taking all your income to pay the premiums. - 16459

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