Best For Telehealth: Cigna
All Cigna individual health insurance plans include free access to two of the largest virtual care networks in the United States, making Cigna our choice as best for telehealth.
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All individual plans include $0 virtual care
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Partners with two major telehealth networks
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$25 monthly copay limit on insulin
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Offers 24/7 customer service
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Dental coverage starts at $19 per month
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Individual plans only available in 10 states
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Policies must begin on the first day of the month
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Higher-than-average premiums
Access to telehealth services can be a lifesaver for anyone dealing with unemployment. Not only does virtual care save you the time and cost of getting to a doctors office, but you can also even get remote treatment for some minor ailments without having to pay for an in-person visit. Cigna includes $0 telehealth visits with all of its individual plans through partnerships with MDLive and Amwell, two of the largest telemedicine providers in the United States.
Virtual health visits arent the only advantage to purchasing health insurance from Cigna. In-house customer service is available 24 hours a day to answer questions and provide assistance. The company also places a $25 monthly out-of-pocket cost limit on insulin regardless of your coverage level.
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Ease Your Health Insurance Worries With Help From An Expert
Heres the truth: Trying to figure out your health insurance can be really overwhelming, especially if youre unemployed. Why not take the stress out of it and let an independent insurance agent guide you? Having an agent step in to make sense of it all is really helpful.
Among other details, an independent agent will know your particular states laws vs. federal policies. Even better? Theyll be able to save you money by knowing how and when to apply the perks of the American Rescue Plan.
Ready for some good advice and peace of mind from trusted insurance experts in your area? Start the process today by talking with an Endorsed Local Provider .
About the author
Ramsey Solutions
Ramsey Solutions has been committed to helping people regain control of their money, build wealth, grow their leadership skills, and enhance their lives through personal development since 1992. Millions of people have used our financial advice through 22 books published by Ramsey Press, as well as two syndicated radio shows and 10 podcasts, which have over 17 million weekly listeners.
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Selecting The Best Fit For Unemployed Applicants
Costs and budgeting may be a high priority for unemployed persons. It is important to update application figures to reflect unemployment and future earnings. Comparison shopping is an ideal method for assessing the features of plans that matter most. These might be facilities, in-network services, or locations.
For those seeking to lower costs, the degree of out-of-pocket expenses may be the most important factor. Comparison shopping is a tool for the consumer to get the best plan for their individual or family situation.
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Availability And Length Of Coverage
Many states have developed their own rules about short-term insurance plans, and therefore, access can change by location.
You can’t buy short-term health insurance in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Across these locations, either plans aren’t permitted or there are no companies selling short-term plans in the state. The states are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
The maximum length of a policy also varies by state. The total length of coverage, including renewals, can be as short as three months as in states like Virginia and Washington. Other states like Minnesota allow coverage for up to a year, and in Louisiana, coverage is allowed for a total of 36 months.
How Much Is Health Insurance Without A Job
The cost of a health insurance plan without a job can vary. However, there are ways to lower your costs if you choose an Affordable Care Act health insurance plan. When you begin shopping for an individual health insurance plan, you should pay special attention to subsidies. If you qualify for them, subsidies can lower the cost of your monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. Here are two of the main subsidy types.
- A premium tax credit is a type of subsidy that can help lower your monthly premiums, if youre eligible. You can choose to have the credit paid directly to your health insurance provider to be applied toward your premium,2 or you can claim your premium amount when you file your income tax return.3
- A cost-sharing reduction , also called extra savings, is a type of subsidy that can help lower your out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. If you qualify, you have to enroll in a Silver plan to get the extra savings.
You can check your eligibility for these subsidies online.
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If You Qualified For Cobra Premium Assistance
If you qualified for COBRA continuation coverage because you or a household member had a reduction in work hours or involuntarily lost a job, you may have qualified for help paying for your COBRA premiums .
COBRA premium assistance under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was available April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021. Since this help ended on September 30, you can enroll in a Marketplace plan with a Special Enrollment Period. To enroll, you can report a September 30 “loss of coverage” on your application. You cant qualify for a premium tax credit while youre enrolled in COBRA, so if you want to change to Marketplace coverage, make sure that your COBRA coverage ends on the last day before your Marketplace coverage can start. If you decide to keep COBRA without premium assistance, you can qualify for a Special Enrollment Period based on the end date of your COBRA coverage, which is usually 18 to 36 months after it started.
If you have questions about COBRA or COBRA premium assistance, visit the U.S. Department of Labor at DOL.gov or call 1-866-444-3272 to speak to a benefits advisor.
Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation
What is the Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation Program?
Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation is a temporary, federal program created by the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020 that provides a $100 per week supplemental benefit amount to certain self-employed individuals who have earned at least $5,000 in net earnings in the most recent taxable year ending prior to the individuals application for regular unemployment compensation benefits.
What is the duration of the MEUC Program?
MEUC is available for the week ending January 2, 2021 through week ending September 4, 2021 .
Who is eligible for MEUC?
MEUC is only payable to certain individuals who:
The application process will not move forward until the supporting documentation is provided. Failure to submit a completed application with the required supporting documentation will result in a denial of MEUC benefits. MEUC is NOT available for weeks claimants received Pandemic Unemployment Assistance .
What underlying unemployment benefits can I receive to be eligible for MEUC?
What is the most recent taxable year ending prior to my application for regular UC?
How do I apply for MEUC?
Note:
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What Percentage Of Health Insurance Do Employers Typically Pay
Most employees who are covered through employer-sponsored plan make some kind of contribution to the cost of their monthly premiums. Employees contributed an average of $104 per month to their employer-sponsored insurance in 2019, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Employees at small businesses typically contribute a higher percentage of the premium for family coverage than employees at larger companies. And on average, employees who work for companies with a larger amount of lower-wage workers contribute more towards their monthly premiums for both single coverage and family coverage than employees do at companies with fewer low-wage workers.
How Do You Get Health Insurance When You’re Unemployed
Health insurance can be confusing if you dont get it through your job, says Michael D. Miller, MD, health care and life sciences expert at HealthPolCom, but there are resources available to help you.
Dr. Miller recommends starting at your local library or using your states Health Insurance Marketplace.
Some social services organizations in your community may also provide assistance or navigation-type of services to people looking for insurance, Dr. Miller adds. The best way to find out is to call around and ask since they may have people who do that, but it might not be listed on the organizations website.
Healthcare.gov provides information on health coverage options if youre unemployed. You can get health insurance through the marketplace, which provides cost savings based on your income and household size, not your employment status. You may qualify for a subsidized plan, Medicaid, or CHIP, depending on your household income.
Coverage purchased through the Marketplace can begin the first day of the month after losing your previous health insurance coverage.
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How Low Does Income Need To Be To Qualify For Medicaid
Now you might be wondering, Can I get free health insurance without a job? The answer is that Medicaid is usually free. Although states can charge you a share of the cost, in most cases, you wont have to pay anything.
Next you might wonder, How low does my income have to be to qualify? Medicaid income levels are based on the governments federal poverty level . Check out this resource at HealthCare.gov to see how you stack up.
What if your household income is too high to get Medicaid but too low to afford decent private insurance? Your children might still qualify for a Medicaid program called CHIP . Another plus? Enrollment for CHIP is open year-round.
Start As Soon As Possible
Even before you leave a job, theres nothing wrong with talking to those helpful folks in HR about your health insurance benefits and what will happen ifor whenyou leave. You can find out how much COBRA coverage will cost, then use the info to decide whether to stick with COBRA or go it alone in the marketplace.
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Medicaid Health Insurance: Who Is Eligible
If youre unemployed, you may qualify for Medicaid depending on where you live. Thirty-eight states and Washington, D.C., expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. In those places, you can qualify for Medicaid based on your income alone if you earn 138% or less of the federal poverty level or $17,774 per year for an individual. The more people in your household, the higher the income cutoff.
In the 12 states that have opted not to expand Medicaid, your income wont be enough on its own to qualify. Youll need to meet other requirements, such as being a caregiver for a dependent child.
When you apply for coverage through HealthCare.gov, the government will see if youre eligible for Medicaid in your state and if any children in your household qualify for the Childrens Health Insurance Program . CHIP is for families that earn too much to be eligible for Medicaid but still may not be able to afford private health insurance.
Dont Get Caught In The Middle
Obamacare is not always the best fit for all needs. So, if you dont qualify for Medicaid but you find that you cant afford the high premiums and out-of-pocket costs of the Obamacare Marketplace plans, there are other choices you can make.
Short-term medical is an economical solution for healthy individuals and families, providing benefits similar to major medical at half the cost. Limited benefit indemnity health insurance is focused on helping consumers pay for everyday medical care without having to meet a deductible out of their own pocket first.
No matter what your needs are today, there are insurance plans that can help you protect your financial future. Dont remain uninsured just because you are caught in the middle by Obamacare.
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Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
Yeah, thats a mouthful. No wonder we just call it COBRA. With COBRA insurance, you can extend your employer-based coverage for a limited period of time after youve left your job. Big sigh of relief, right?
But before you fully exhale, take a look at the pros and cons:
COBRA Pro: Under federal law, employers must allow employees to keep their healthcare plan for 18 months after theyve left their job. 1
COBRA Con: Youll pay the full cost of your health insurance premium yourself. Your employer wont be pitching in anymore. Based on that math, itll be more expensive. Talk to your employer when you leave to find out what your new COBRA premium will be.
And if those high COBRA premiums are squeezing your budget too tight, you can always check out the governments health insurance marketplace…
What If The Health Insurance Through My Employer Is Too Expensive
Many people run up against the problem of their employer-provided health insurance seeming way too expensive. Especially when it includes covering their entire family. Unfortunately, if the costs are still underneath approximately 9.5% of your annual household income, it is still affordable by legal standards, and you still arent eligible for subsidies through the Marketplace.
If you find it cost-prohibitive to ensure your children through your job-based health plan, you may have other options. Depending on your income level, you might be able to get them coverage separate from yours through the Childrens Health Insurance Program . CHIP is the federal program that matches federal dollars with state dollars to provide healthcare for low-income families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. Children who live in a household where the household income meets the qualifications can enroll in CHIP. And this is true even when parents get or accept an insurance benefits offer from their employer.
You can see if you or your family qualifies for Medicaid or CHIP by entering your zip code and income information here.
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Get Help From An Expert
Heres the truth: Trying to figure out your health insurance can be really overwhelming. Especially if youre unemployed. But like we said before, insurance isnt the only way to get healthcare coverage for the unemployed. And health cost-sharing programs have become a really popular approach we love!
With or without a job, healthcare needs are no sweat with a cost-sharing program. When doctor bills roll in, you submit them to the program administrators to confirm eligibility. From there, youll receive payments from other group participants as part of their own monthly premium payments. In the same way, your monthly premiums will be used to cover services billed to other members as needed.
The beauty of healthcare cost sharing is that it lets you participate in a ministry while meeting both your own healthcare needs and those of others. And as a cash-paying patient, youll have the option of haggling for lower prices on healthcare services. Thats always a smart move!
Our trusted partner Christian Healthcare Ministries can help you figure out your options. They help families share healthcare costs like medical tests, maternity, hospitalization and surgery. Thousands of people in all 50 states have used CHM to cover their healthcare needs, and eligibility has nothing to do with employment status. Plus, theyre RamseyTrusted, so you know theyll cover the medical bills theyre supposed to and honor your coverage.
About the author
Ramsey Solutions
Health Insurance When Youre Unemployed
You can get insurance without an employer. Find out about health insurance resources you can use.
Without an employer helping foot the bill, getting health insurance can be costly. But there are resources available to help you find the best plan for your coverage needs and budget. Learn what you need to know about getting health insurance if youre unemployed.
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Best Marketplace Insurance Company For Unemployed: Kaiser Permanente
If you don’t have a job with benefits and dont qualify for government-run insurance, Marketplace plans are among the best options for coverage.
The national average monthly premium of a Silver plan, the most common type of plan, is $503 for a 40-year-old. Many people pay significantly lower premiums thanks to subsidies included in the ACA and expanded in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
MoneyGeek’s selection for the best health insurance provider for Silver plans is Kaiser Permanente, the California-based managed care company that also operates health care facilities.
pros
- Kaiser Permanente offers plans with some of the lowest premiums of any top-rated national plans, making it ideal for people who are unemployed and watching their budgets
- Kaiser Permanente is a highly rated health insurance company with a long history of helping members access high-quality care
cons
- Kaiser Permanente isnt available everywhere, so it may not be an option for you
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Kaiser Permanente is MoneyGeeks pick for the best Marketplace health insurance plan for unemployed people in the nine states where it operates. Kaiser earned an overall quality score from the National Committee on Quality Assurance of 4.28 out of 5. On prevention measures, Kaiser earned a score of 4.33.
The average cost of Kaiser Permanente Silver plans sold on the Marketplace is $427.47 per month, the lowest average premium among the top-rated national plans.
What Can You Do If You Cant Afford Health Insurance
Health insurance during unemployment may seem unaffordable, but you do have additional options if a comprehensive plan with subsidies, or short-term health insurance, is still unaffordable. Medicaid and CHIP programs are available in each state for individuals who cannot afford other health insurance. The eligibility for these programs will depend on the state you live in. Medicaid provides state-specific guidance after you enter your location.
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