If you’re like most people, you take your health insurance for granted. You may not even realize it, but without coverage, you’re putting your health at risk. That’s why it’s important to know what happens if your health insurance lapses. In this post, we will explore the consequences of not having health insurance and how to prevent it from happening in the first place. From finding affordable options to understanding the law, read on to learn everything you need to know about keeping your health insurance coverage intact.
What happens if I don’t have health insurance?
If you don’t have health insurance, you may be able to get coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Here are some tips if you find yourself in this situation:
• Check with your employer – Many companies offer health insurance plans that cover people without coverage through an employer. Speak to your human resources department or HR specialist to see if there is any way to add coverage.
• Get a policy through the Affordable Care Act marketplace – If you can’t find coverage through your employer or the government, you can purchase a policy on the HealthCare.gov marketplace. This option is available to people who earn between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. You will need to provide information about your income, family size, and health history.
• Find a plan on the marketplace that meets your needs – There are many different types of policies available on the HealthCare.gov marketplace, so it’s important to choose one that meets your specific needs. For example, if you smoke, consider purchasing a policy that doesn’t include tobacco products.
Health insurance for people with pre-existing conditions
If you have healthcare coverage through a job or a government program like Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE, and your coverage lapses for any reason–whether you’re out of work or your insurance company terminates your contract–you may be able to get new health insurance. Some people who have insurance through Medicare or Medicaid may also be eligible for new private health insurance through the marketplace if they meet certain requirements.
ACA requires all individuals and families to have health insurance or pay a penalty. If you don’t have healthcare coverage, you can join a healthcare co-op, buy individual health insurance on the open market, or use Medicaid to get coverage. There are several ways to get covered if your current health insurance falls short:
1. Joining ahealthcare co-op: If you live in a state that has federally subsidized healthcare co-ops, this is one way to get affordable healthcare with no premiums or out-of-pocket costs. Healthcare co-ops are operated by member companies who pool resources and offer discounted rates on health care products and services. You can find out if there’s a healthcare co-op in your area by visiting HealthCareCoops.org.
2. Buying individual health insurance: You can buy individual health insurance on the open market if you don’t have coverage through work or a government program like Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE. Individual health insurers vary in terms of their premiums (the amount you’ll pay each month), coverage, and other features.
3. Using Medicaid to get coverage: If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can use Medicaid to get health coverage. Medicaid is a government program that provides healthcare coverage for low-income people and adults with disabilities. You can find out if you’re eligible for Medicaid in your state by visiting Medicaid.gov.
4. Getting covered through a healthcare co-op or individual health insurer if your existing coverage falls short of the ACA’s requirements: If your existing healthcare coverage falls short of the ACA’s requirements, you can join a healthcare co-op or buy individual health insurance on the open market and then switch to plan that meets the ACA’s requirements.
The cost of health insurance
If you have health insurance, and it expires, you may be wondering what happens. In most cases, your insurance company will either offer to renew your policy or let you switch to a new plan at the same price. However, there are a few circumstances in which your coverage may lapse. If you don’t maintain continuous coverage, your insurance can lapse and you may not be able to get Coverage until you have had a qualifying event (such as getting sick) and can prove that you were uninsured at the time of the qualifying event. Additionally, if you have a gap in coverage of more than 63 days (3 months), your insurance may also lapse.
Conclusion
If you haven’t been keeping up with your health insurance, now might be a good time to pick up the phone and call your insurer. Health insurance can be an important part of our overall health care strategy, so it’s important to make sure that we are taking all of the necessary steps to maintain coverage. If you let your health insurance lapse, not only will you likely have to pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses, but you also run the risk of losing access to vital preventative services that could help keep you healthy in the long run. Don’t wait too long – act now and make sure that you are covered!
