How To Get Medical Insurance If You Are Unemployed

Why Is My Claim Status Ineligible

Ineligible means they are not eligible for benefits for those weeks. A claimant would have received notice letting them know about the ineligibility. The reasons why vary and could include issues from failure to timely certify without good cause, to wages earned greater than 1.5 times their weekly benefit amount.

You Have Paid Ei Premiums

If you are employed in insurable employment, your employer will deduct EI premiums from your wages or salary. These premiums go into the EI Fund. There is no minimum or maximum age for paying EI premiums.

You pay EI premiums on all your earnings up to a maximum amount. In 2020, for every $100 you earn, your employer will deduct $1.58, until your annual earnings reach the maximum yearly insurable amount of $54,200. The maximum amount of premiums to be paid in 2020 is therefore $856.36.

Since Quebec has its own program that offers maternity, paternity, and parental benefits, the Government of Canada has adjusted the premiums accordingly for that province. In 2020, the premium rate for workers in Quebec is set at $1.20 for every $100 of earnings, up to a maximum amount of $650.40 for the year.

How Do You Get Health Insurance If You Are Unemployed

• Eligibility for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act depends on household income
• Unemployment compensation counts as income for Obamacare eligibility
• Persons with too little income for Obamacare may qualify for coverage through Medicaid
• Children and minors can get coverage through the Childrens Health Insurance Program
• Applicants that cannot find affordable health insurance may qualify for an exemption from the Individual Mandate and penalty
• Loss of insurance by loss of employment can create a special enrollment period for obtaining coverage after the open enrollment

Unemployed people can get health insurance coverage through Obamacare. When determining income for the Affordable Care Act, one must consider incomes for the entire family unit.

Income also includes various kinds of money payments including unemployment insurance payments, alimony, support payments, interest income, dividends, and capital gains from investments or real estate.

Even if youre unemployed, its not a bad idea to compare private health insurance plans and get an idea of what your options are as your situation improves. Enter your zip on our site to get free, personalized quotes!

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Coverage And Federal Cost Estimates

The federal cost of the Medicaid expansion for the unemployedincluding the federal Medicaid option in states that opt outcan be determined by estimating the cost of each new eligibility category: 1) individuals who are unemployed and 2) families with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

For the first category, a key input is the number of people who become unemployed and lose employer coverage. Of those who lose employer coverage, an estimated 6.2 million people will gain ACA coverage and 7.3 million will become uninsured13.6 million people in total. Under the proposal, all 13.6 million people would be automatically enrolled in Medicaid.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Office of the Actuary, the per-enrollee cost of Medicaid in 2017 was $3,836 for children and $5,669 for adults. After accounting for inflationusing CMS growth projectionsas well as average family size, the average cost per family member in 2021 would be $5,630. Multiplying this per-person cost by 13.6 million people yields a total cost of $76.4 billion for this eligibility category in 2021.

According to CMS, the per-enrollee cost of Medicaid for adults, inflated to 2021, is $6,311 children in this income group already qualify for CHIP. Multiplying this per-enrollee cost by 7.2 million people yields a total cost of $45.5 billion for this eligibility category in 2021.

Medicaid Expansion For The Unemployed

Under the Affordable Care Act, states have the option to expand Medicaid to families with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. To rapidly absorb the unemployed into affordable coverage, states should have the option to further expand Medicaid to two categories of enrollees: 1) individuals who are receiving unemployment insurance benefits or who were receiving unemployment insurance benefits that expired during the public health emergency and 2) families with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. As under the current Medicaid program, eligible individuals who are enrolled in ACA coverage or employer coverage would be able to switch to Medicaid.

For the first eligibility category, states would automatically enroll in Medicaid all individuals who receive unemployment insurance benefits or food stampsunder the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program regardless of their income. This auto-enrollment would be similar to the current Express Lane Eligibility option, in which several states enroll children in Medicaid or the Childrens Health Insurance Program based on their SNAP eligibility.

States would guarantee continuous eligibility for these enrollees until the end of the public health emergency, at which point their eligibility would be redetermined. If they are no longer receiving unemployment insurance benefits, they would qualify for Medicaid under the second eligibility category.

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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.

Ei Special Benefits For Self

Self-employed Canadians can now apply for EI special benefits if they are registered with the Canada Employment Insurance Commission for access to the EI program.

For more information or to see if you qualify, visit the Service Canada website or call 1 800 O-Canada . If you have a hearing or speech impairment and use a teletypewriter , call 1-800-926-9105.

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How To Find The Right Health Insurance Plan

If you have encountered a change in your employment, eHealth can help you find the best health insurance plan available in your state. We offer licensed agents in every state, ready to help you find a health insurance plan that meets your needs and budget. When you enroll in a plan through eHealth, you can sign up on our website, through our live chat or on the phone. Once you are enrolled, we offer 24/7 support to help you manage your plan. Check out individual and family health insurance plans in your area to learn more about your options.

Children And Adult Dental Care For Unemployed

Dental care is an urgent consideration for many unemployed persons. CHIP covers most child and minor situations with preventive and comprehensive care.

Medicaid does not offer adult care in every sate, and in some, it is limited to emergency care. Those with criminal records that experience difficulty in getting and keeping jobs because of employer reaction to personal history may have a greater barrier.

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What Do You Do If You Dont Have Health Insurance

If you find yourself without health insurance and need medical attention, you should be prepared to pay full out-of-pocket costs for any treatment you receive. In case of an emergency, U.S. law prohibits hospitals from refusing treatment due to your financial situation. However, if you are truly unable to afford coverage, you should see if you qualify for insurance through Medicaid. Those who dont meet Medicaid requirements should at least consider purchasing a low-cost catastrophic plan to protect you financially in case of serious injury or illness.

Affordability Exemption For Employer And Individual Coverage

The rule is that employer plans must cost 9.6 percent of the employees household income or less. Individual coverage that costs more than 8 percent of household income is not affordable. Applicants who cannot find coverage that is affordable under the ACA standards are exempt from the mandate and penalty.

An affordable employer-sponsored plan must not exceed 9.5 percent of household income, after the employers contribution. If the lowest-cost coverage costs more than eight percent of household income for self-only coverage, then such persons exempt from the health insurance mandate.

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What You’ll Need To Sign Up

You do not necessarily need to provide proof of unemployment to take advantage of the savings, VanSpankeren said. However, it helps to have proof handy in case you need to submit verification.

For people already enrolled in a marketplace health plan, the process could be as simple as resubmitting your application to receive the savings. If you already listed unemployment income, you will automatically receive the savings when you resubmit, said Chang, of Progressive Community Health Centers.

Those enrolling in a marketplace plan for the first time and working with a navigator or other helper may be asked to bring proof of current income and other documents, such as a picture ID or your most-recent tax returns.

Ask what you should bring to an appointment if you are working with a navigator or other helper.

However, VanSpankeren stressed that missing documents should not stop people from trying.

“You could come to a navigator with virtually nothing, and we can figure it out. We can help you,” he said.

Covering Wisconsin is holding most appointments remotely, he said, meaning clients could locate any necessary documents while talking to a navigator from home.

Sarah Volpenhein is a Report for America corps reporter who focuses on news of value to underserved communities for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Email her at . Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to this reporting effort at JSOnline.com/RFA.

You Have Accumulated At Least 600 Hours Of Insurable Employment During The Qualifying Period

Hours of insurable employment are the hours you work, for one or more employers under written or verbal contracts of service, for which you receive wages.

The qualifying period is the shorter of:

• the 52-week period immediately before the start date of your EI claim or
• the period since the start of a previous EI benefit period, if that benefit period started during the last 52 weeks.

To be eligible for EI sickness benefits, you must have accumulated at least 600 hours of insurable employment in your qualifying period.

If you are a self-employed fisher, you must have earned $3,760 from fishing during the 31-week qualifying period immediately before the start of your benefit period. For more information on EI benefits for self-employed fishers, consult the guide called Employment Insurance Benefits for Fishers .

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Health Insurance Options For The Unemployed

Dont let the worry of not having a job or health insurance eat away at you. Here are the most popular health insurance avenues for people who find themselves without a job.

• Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act . If you lose your job or your hours get cut, youre eligible for COBRA insurance, which is the continuation of your former employer-sponsored health insurance. These are the important facts to know about COBRA coverage:
• This insurance is available for companies with over 20 people.
• You can elect to continue your health insurance however, youll pay both the employer and employee portion, so its costly.
• Spouses and dependents remain covered however, coverage is limited to health care, not a disability or life insurance.
• You can remain on COBRA for up to 18 months.

There are plenty of benefits associated with getting Marketplace health insurance, such as:

No signup required.

What Is Cobra Insurance And Is It Worth It

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, commonly known as COBRA, is a federally mandated program through which you can retain your employer’s policy for up to 18 months. If you do elect COBRA coverage, be prepared to pay significantly higher monthly premiums youll be required to cover the amount your employer was contributing plus a 2% administration fee. Oftentimes COBRA isnt worth it, as most unemployed individuals can find a much more affordable policy on the marketplace.

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If You Qualify For Cobra Premium Assistance

If you qualify for COBRA continuation coverage because you or a household member had a reduction in work hours or involuntarily lost a job, you may qualify for help paying for your COBRA premiums .

COBRA premium assistance is available April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021 under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, based on when your COBRA coverage starts and how long it can last.

If you qualify:

When your COBRA premium assistance ends, you can enroll in a Marketplace plan with a Special Enrollment Period. If you know your COBRA premium assistance is ending September 30, 2021, you can report a “loss of coverage” to qualify for a Special Enrollment Period starting August 1, 2021.

• When you apply for Marketplace coverage, tell us youre losing qualifying health coverage, and provide the last day that youll have COBRA coverage with premium assistance.
• For most people, premium assistance will end September 30, 2021, but you may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if your COBRA coverage ends sooner.

To learn more about eligibility for COBRA premium assistance, including more on your eligibility for COBRA continuation coverage or COBRA premium assistance, visit the U.S. Department of Labor at DOL.gov.

How To Get Health Insurance While Unemployed

Keeping up with your finances when youre unemployed can be difficult and complicated. However, having health insurance is a vital part of keeping you financially stable. If you or a family member unexpectedly gets sick or hurt, the hospital, medical, and prescription bills can be astronomical. Medical bills can have the potential to put you into debt for years to come. Health insurance can help make medical costs cheaper and easier to handle. As an unemployed resident, you may have access to discounted health insurance that will help keep you healthy and financially secure while you transition to a new full-time job. Below are a few programs that may help you afford health insurance, even if youre unemployed and not currently insured.

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Who Should Consider Short

Temporary medical insurance is ideal for people who:

Emergency Health Coverage For The Unemployed And Uninsured In Response To The Pandemic And Economic Crisis

Nearly 38 million Americans have filed claims for unemployment insurance, and many more live in households in which someone has lost a job. As a result, nearly 27 million people could lose their employer coverage and become uninsured. Among this group, about half could be eligible for Medicaid, and several million more would be eligible for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act . However, major gaps in coverage and affordability would remain. If the unemployment rate reaches 20 percent, Oliver Wyman estimates that the number of uninsured will increase by about 9 million people.

To respond to this crisis and help as many people as quickly as possible, this column proposes emergency health coverage for the unemployed and uninsured. This emergency health coverage would build on one of the most popular parts of the ACAits Medicaid expansionby automatically enrolling the unemployed into Medicaid. In doing so, it would guarantee immediate coverage for all of the unemployed.

Additionally, by expanding Medicaid, this proposal is cost-effective, with the lowest possible cost per enrollee and the most comprehensive coverage. The Center for American Progress estimates that under the plan, 23 million people would receive comprehensive coverage in 2021 at a cost of only $90 billion. Simply put, this proposal meets the scale and urgency of the current crisis.

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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.

• All individual plans include $0 virtual care

• Partners with two major telehealth networks

• $25 monthly copay limit on insulin

• Offers 24/7 customer service

• Dental coverage starts at $19 per month

• Individual plans only available in 10 states

• Policies must begin on the first day of the month

• 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.