Reform Of Health Insurance For The Unemployed

End government subsidies for COBRA recipients has led many people to seek alternative options for health insurance, even before their COBRA benefits are exhausted. If you're one of those people, do not expect health care reform will bail you out.

Health reform has little to do with COBRA, the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act that allows displaced workers to purchase health insurance previously provided by the employer.

In fact, some components of the early adoption of the reform project may initially increase your premium, according to Mark A. Cesarano, a management consultant for the Savitz Organization (www.savitz.com). The main elements of reform, including preventive care, without fee, cover adult children up to age 26 and the automatic acceptance of coverage for children with medical conditions cause health plans to take on more expenses. Along the way, however, these initiatives cost.

"At this point, the loss of the subsidy is what's wrong," said Cesarano. The grant, which came into force in March 2009 as part of the economic recovery plan, provided a safety net of 15 months to people who have lost their jobs, which means the beneficiaries pay only 35% of the premium while the government took the rest. Loss of earnings June 1, so now people who have been dismissed or who have already exhausted their allowance of 15 months, compared with premiums rising, a heavy 102% for the rest of their 18-month COBRA .

This eight tips on how to keep health costs down, while you are away from work.

Here are eight tips to keep health care costs down when you are unemployed.

Contact an insurance broker who knows, advocacy and health education / research group, or the Office of Insurance Commissioner in your state. These experts can direct you to solutions that fit your economic and health situation and inform you about the specific laws of your state.

Do not let your coverage lapse

Paying high premiums until you reach an alternative if you can, experts suggest. Coverage lapsed for more than 63 days could make it difficult to obtain health insurance in the future, especially if you or a family member is in poor health.

Converting an individual

Attempts to convert the group plan to an individual policy, but is ready to experience a higher copays and deductibles and lower limits to claim, experts warn.

Unlike group plans, individual plans deny coverage for health, until the reform law develops in 2014. But do not automatically assume that you are excluded, said Carrie McClean, head of customer service at ehealthinsurance.com. You can discover your situation falls into a "gray area" because you have passed the state over time.

Search for Gap, or short-term plan of Medicine

This coverage is the compensation plan, said Holly Health, the dean of the Public Health Act (www. peopleshealthinsurance.com), Clearwater, Florida insurance agency, and only provides coverage for anywhere from 30 days a year. In the short term plans have copays, deductibles to offer low and require only a little 'of six numbers of the questionnaire for eligibility.

It is a good option for people who are close to finding a job, said Cesarano, and ideal for out-of-work boomers who are not yet eligible for Medicare, but it is near, Heath said.

If you're young ... At the same time Mom and Dad

If you are under 26 without insurance, getting up your parents'. You need not be a full-time student or be employed by the reform of the perk.

Coverage is not effective until September 23 so that insurers are not required to provide extensive coverage of the new plan year, usually January 1. Carriers can initiate this before, Cesarano said.

HIPPA laws Plans

Kull, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Kull), allows people to exhaust their COBRA eligibility for the purchase of certain policies, regardless of health, provided it does not have gaps in coverage of 63 days.

The guarantee plan HIPPA question, but it is "extremely expensive, as much as 2.5 times at the group level," said Heath.

People with poor health are eligible for high-risk pools, mandated July 1 of the Reform Act. According to Erin Moaratty, head of external communications of the Foundation of the patient's advocate, there are still wrinkles in these basins requires reconciliation, especially in states that did not have similar plans before the law reform . But there is a potential problem: The new law requires a period of six months waiting for someone in poor health.