Health Insurance

More than half of Americans get health insurance through their jobs.  For many workers, their employers bear the lion’s share of the cost.  Furthermore, this cost is lower because businesses are able to negotiate discounted premiums on behalf of groups. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a 1 percent rise in unemployment corresponds to 1.1 million fewer people with health insurance.

Losing your job means you have to navigate the complicated field of health insurance independently, but it does not mean that you are out of luck.  You and your family have options.

At TheCanned.com, we look to describe these options from the perspective of someone who has just lost his or her job. Throughout this section of the site, look for information on:

COBRA
Most employees who get health insurance coverage through their work are eligible to continue their coverage after they get canned.  They must pay the full premium on their own, but these premiums are often lower than their equivalents in the private insurance market.

Private Health Insurance
Sometimes private insurance is still the best option. Traditional managed care, in addition to short-term insurance and high deductible health plans, offer compelling options for some unemployed people.

State-Sponsored Programs
Eight states sponsor health insurance programs that accommodate the unemployed.  These plans are often subsidized and cheaper than COBRA or private plans.  These states are Illinois, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington.

For Your Kids
In all states, uninsured children qualify for state-sponsored health insurance at little or no cost to the family.