People often ask what to do when they lose their employer plan, and are under 65.
At this point you can get a:
- Marketplace Plan (within 60 days of losing your existing coverage)
- For Marketplace plans, here in California, I typically refer people to www.coveredca.com. Others I would refer to www.healthcare.gov
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- You can also call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596
- You may be able qualify for tax credits, that may lower healthcare costs.
- COBRA Continuation Coverage. Often limited to 18 months
- If your Cobra Coverage period ends outside of open enrollment, then you could qualify fora Special Election period to enroll in a plan through the Marketplace.
- If you end your COBRA Continuation Coverage prematurely on your own, outside of the Open Enrollment Period, then you will have to wait until the Open Enrollment Period to enroll through the marketplace.
- You can get a plan directly from the Insurance Company directly or through an Agent or Broker (Such as myself). You will have access to OFF EXCHANGE plans (for those that don’t qualify for discounted plans). And you will want to be certain the plan meets the HealthCare laws “minimal essential coverage”.
Keep in mind, if you do not have insurance, you may have to pay a fee when you file your taxes and you may also have to pay all the costs of your healthcare.
