Husband got laid off a few weeks ago. Our insurance ends at the end of this month. Need some advice!?

Question

Are there any cheaper insurance companies out there? We need something to help cover perscriptions and doctors bills if we get sick. We have the option to COBRA our insurance but it will be like $950 a month and we can't afford that. He applied for unemployment through the state(Texas), do you know if the government offers any insurance or medical assitance?

Answer 1

Take the cobra for January, and get the kids signed up under the Texas CHIPS program.

Answer 2

The Medicaid suggestions are great, but also if you're not sick or have pre-existing conditions you could consider signing up for an individual high-deductible plan that covers you for inpatient hospital admissions and provides you the protection of a contracted rate for doctor's visits. That's a good option if you don't need the care of a doctor on a steady basis and only get sick once in a while. You could even go a more extreme route and look into a discount prescription plan vs actual coverage such as one of the Walmart discount pharmacy plans, Eckerd's discount plan or Ameriplan which offers contracted rates on Dental, Chiropractic, Vision and Prescription coverage for $30 a month. Ameriplan also offers contacted rates on medical coverage, most helpful if you're in or near a large city. It's not insurance, it's a discount plan and is great for those with pre-existing conditions who couldn't otherwise find affordable coverage.

Answer 3

The state and federal Government shares support and administration of the Medicaid program which pays some medical bills for low income families. To get an idea whether you might qualify, you can go to your local social services office and speak to a medicaid specialist and you can also fill out a questionaire on the http://www.socialsecurity.gov website to determine medicaid eligibility. That website might also refer you to a State of Texas website with similar forms you fill out to determine eligibility. Of course, when you reach age 65 or become disabled under social security, you can join the Medicare program which is completely independent and separate from the Medicaid program.

Answer 4

Some times hospitals offer what is called "Charity Care." I was unemployed once and got sick and went to the hospital. I told them I didnt have insurance so they offered this charity care program. It takes a while to get set up but its worth it. I had the same coverage for a year that I would have had if I was employed. Call a few of your local hospitals and ask them about it. It worked great for me.

Hope this helps and pray your husband finds new work soon!

Answer 5

I found that Aetna offered better rates than COBRA. You should be able to get the kids covered through the state. Then you will just need a husband and wife health plan instead of a family rate.

Answer 6

My daughters are both aging out of our family insurance plan this year. Cobra is expensive, but, I was told, (please verify this), that you have 45 days to pay for the coverage, and if you don't use it, you can drop it without paying. Maybe you can find other coverage by then, and only have Cobra to cover catastrophic expenses, if needed. The other thing you have to keep in mind is that Cobra will cover all preexisting conditions. If you switch to another plan, it'll only be for catastrophic coverage and any new ailments. I was told that they are very picky about the definition of preexisting conditions- so watch out for that. Best of luck.

Answer 7

Since your husband lost his job, you would probably qualify for Medicaid, even if he gets unemployment. Don't be too proud to ask for help. That's what you pay taxes for! It's a short-term situation. Don't let it bankrupt you. If you let your medical coverage lapse for more than 63 days, your next insurance company will refuse to pay your medical claims because they'll claim it was a pre-existing condition. If you don't/cant get Medicaid, contact the manufacturer of the drug--you can often get your prescriptions for free. Good luck.

Answer 8

The relatives scientific go away Act ensures which you won't be able to be fired for the 1st 6-12 weeks when you bypass on maternity go away. i understand that would not answer your question, yet you actual should not be with out advantages till then. word for medicaid, yet be certain you pursue FMLA and communicate over with an criminal expert, there is no way they'd lay you off once you're on maternity go away (in case you do it under FMLA) this may be a Federal regulation. no rely who they lay off, they can't lay off you once you're having your toddler. I promise.

Answer 9

you might want to check with the texas health and human services department to see if your family could qualify for medicaid or chips. with medicaid all medical expenses are covered, and with chips you just have to pay like $50 to get it started, then there's a cheap copay. your approval will depend on the household income. best of luck.

Answer 10

Try government assistant. In most state, if you are running of jobs, and income is under certain amount, you are entitled to government help