Just lost my job, now what!?!

[MAGICX2]

I just found out yesterday that my position was eliminated It was a complete shock. I am a mammographer with 16 years exp. My biggest fear is insurance. I carried medical, dental and vision for my entire family. I have my benefits thru 1/31/15, but I know open enrollment for plans is now. What should I do?! Hopefully can find another job quickly but if not really want to make sure DS13 and DD11 are covered.

 

[SEA333]

I just found out yesterday that my position was eliminated It was a complete shock. I am a mammographer with 16 years exp. My biggest fear is insurance. I carried medical, dental and vision for my entire family. I have my benefits thru 1/31/15, but I know open enrollment for plans is now. What should I do?! Hopefully can find another job quickly but if not really want to make sure DS13 and DD11 are covered.

First of all, I am so sorry - my company sent my entire department (besides me and one other person) to a consolidated out of state location and I had to say goodbye to many very good coworkers and friends last year. It was very, very hard to see them so worried and upset about leaving the company, and it was very emotional that last day. I still miss all of them!

As far as insurance, any time there is a "life change" you are eligible to change things on your, or your spouses if needed, health plan outside of open enrollment period. Gaining new insurance will not be a problem once your current plans is cancelled.

Good luck finding another position quickly!

 

[laceyinwonderland]

From one mammographer to another, I am so sorry!! Our department has not had to let anyone go, only because a few people have transferred and their positions were not replaced. But times are very, very different than before. My department used to be the country club of the radiology department. We are working our fannies off, doing more with less. I don't have any other advice that the PP did not mention as far as insurance. I hope that something turns up for you soon!! Could you go back to an xray position if you found one available?

 

[crisi]

You have a few choices regarding insurance. This is a life change, so you can make whatever changes you decide (but you only have a few months to do it).

1. If your husband is offered a plan, use his.
2. If you want to extend your insurance, use COBRA - this tends to be pretty expensive.
3. If your state has a decent exchange, visit it and start shopping. A lot will depend on the state.

Good luck in finding something else quickly.

 

[pookybean]

Also look into your states CHIP program for your kids. Depending on your husbands income it could be free or very low cost leaving only yourself needing coverage via the marketplace.

 

[Sadie22]

Talk to HR to find out exactly when the coverage from your job will end. Find out the rules regarding COBRA. I think you have a certain amount of time before you have to enroll. You do not have to act and pay the additional costs immediately. If you did have a need and did not have other insurance before the enrollment deadline, you could then pay in arrears, if I remember correctly when I investigated this for a family member.

Your priority can be to be find another job.

You can also investigate being added to your partner's policy and investigate the insurance exchanges so you will have a backup plan in case the new job does not materialize immediately.

Here's hoping an even better job than the one you had is waiting for you.

 

[scottmel]

Talk to HR to find out exactly when the coverage from your job will end. Find out the rules regarding COBRA. I think you have a certain amount of time before you have to enroll. You do not have to act and pay the additional costs immediately. If you did have a need and did not have other insurance before the enrollment deadline, you could then pay in arrears, if I remember correctly when I investigated this for a family member.

Your priority can be to be find another job.

You can also investigate being added to your partner's policy and investigate the insurance exchanges so you will have a backup plan in case the new job does not materialize immediately.

Here's hoping an even better job than the one you had is waiting for you.

THIS! They will offer you Cobra immediately....depending on your state, etc. you could pay when the policy is DUE and have retroactive coverage..meaning do'tn jump to enroll see how the month plays if you need it by it and your coverage is retroactive from when COBRA began.

 

[TinkTock]

THIS! They will offer you Cobra immediately....depending on your state, etc. you could pay when the policy is DUE and have retroactive coverage..meaning do'tn jump to enroll see how the month plays if you need it by it and your coverage is retroactive from when COBRA began.

I know that when you lose insurance coverage due to a job loss, it's a "life change" that allows you to buy insurance on the healthcare marketplace even if it's not during open enrollment. But how long does that "life change" period last? If someone were to go on COBRA for say 5 months after a job loss and then decide in June that they want to get a policy on the exchange, do they have to wait until December to enroll?

 

[lisaross]

No, you can enroll on the marketplace when the coverage ends. If you have cobra until say May 31, on June 1 you can get in touch with the marketplace and get coverage.

 

[Marionnette]

No, you can enroll on the marketplace when the coverage ends. If you have cobra until say May 31, on June 1 you can get in touch with the marketplace and get coverage.

You can apply up to 30 days prior to the ending date of your current coverage.. So, if your coverage ends on May 31, you can make your application on May 1 for coverage beginning on June 1.

 

[Krischaser]

I am so sorry for your job loss. I know what it is like to make sure you have coverage. My insurance is canceling my plan as of the end of this month. I had already turned down company insurance yesterday but am now rethinking it. Does anyone know if I can change my mind and when coverage would start? It ends dec 31. I wish the OP good luck and I hope she finds something soon.

 

[Marionnette]

I am so sorry for your job loss. I know what it is like to make sure you have coverage. My insurance is canceling my plan as of the end of this month. I had already turned down company insurance yesterday but am now rethinking it. Does anyone know if I can change my mind and when coverage would start? It ends dec 31. I wish the OP good luck and I hope she finds something soon.

Loss of coverage due to cancellation is sufficient reason to add coverage through your employer if they offer it. You will have to check with your HR person to see how to go about it, but they have to allow you to join the group even if you already turned down their plan, because you are losing your current coverage.

You can also purchase insurance on your own - either through the exchanges or directly through an insurance company. Again, loss of your current coverage allows you to take on a new policy even if you make that decision outside of the open enrollment period.

 

[Krischaser]

Do you know when coverage would begin?

 

[NewRVLady]

When my DH lost his job years ago, me and both kids got individual Blue Cross policies at a VERY reasonable cost. This was 10 years ago

now the cost is ridiculous.......look into cobra..
I NOW have it for 7 months(until Medicare kicks in) and the cost really was more affordable than a stand alone policy!

 

[CowboyCO]

I ran into this last year late (2013) and it was very aggravating.

This is what my experience was and it doesn't make any sense, but it is the new ACA law.

Under ACA, since COBRA is offered, your only options are to:

1. Enroll them on your spouse's work insurance or

2. Pay for the outrageously expensive Cobra.

3. Immediately purchase individual insurance. (maybe)

If you have any lapse in coverage it will trigger very negative consequences.

The only way you are allowed to buy individual insurance under the law is if you have a qualifying event (like your layoff) AND their is no family coverage available from your spouse's plan. If your spouse has an "affordable" coverage option, you MUST enroll them in it (or Cobra), whether you like the coverage/cost or not. You have one option.

However, if coverage lapses and you didn't elect Cobra or other insurance during the event "window", then your ONLY option if to retroactively pay for the obscenely expensive Cobra. You will not be allowed to purchase individual health insurance because you are outside the qualifying event time window. You are stuck.

I called at least 5 different insurance companies and if Cobra was available, they couldn't sell me individual insurance and since I was outside the event window, they also couldn't sell me insurance. So I had to roll 90 days without coverage because I couldn't pay $1,200 month. The agents shared my frustration, but their hands were tied.

I remember asking one of them, "Let me understand this -- I want to buy insurance for my family, but because I have an option for insurance I can't afford, I can't buy the insurance from Anthem Blue Cross that I can afford?"

The answer was an exasperated "Yes".

 

[SMD]

I ran into this last year late (2013) and it was very aggravating.

This is what my experience was and it doesn't make any sense, but it is the new ACA law.

Under ACA, since COBRA is offered, your only options are to:

1. Enroll them on your spouse's work insurance or

2. Pay for the outrageously expensive Cobra.

3. Immediately purchase individual insurance. (maybe)

If you have any lapse in coverage it will trigger very negative consequences.

The only way you are allowed to buy individual insurance under the law is if you have a qualifying event (like your layoff) AND their is no family coverage available from your spouse's plan. If your spouse has an "affordable" coverage option, you MUST enroll them in it (or Cobra), whether you like the coverage/cost or not. You have one option.

However, if coverage lapses and you didn't elect Cobra or other insurance during the event "window", then your ONLY option if to retroactively pay for the obscenely expensive Cobra. You will not be allowed to purchase individual health insurance because you are outside the qualifying event time window. You are stuck.

I called at least 5 different insurance companies and if Cobra was available, they couldn't sell me individual insurance and since I was outside the event window, they also couldn't sell me insurance. So I had to roll 90 days without coverage because I couldn't pay $1,200 month. The agents shared my frustration, but their hands were tied.

I remember asking one of them, "Let me understand this -- I want to buy insurance for my family, but because I have an option for insurance I can't afford, I can't buy the insurance from Anthem Blue Cross that I can afford?"

The answer was an exasperated "Yes".

That sounds so aggravating. I lost my insurance due to a layoff, and it was and has been aggravating and expensive to deal with everything, but I am lucky to be dealing with it as an individual and not have to cover additional dependents.

I wanted to add that with COBRA you don't have to keep your current plan if your employer offered multiple plans, you can switch from a PPO to an HMO or drop vision and dental or some other option that may save a little money.

 

[bearzabout]

I don't think government marketplace insurance is available to those who have insurance available through a spouse or cobra. I just renewed the process for someone and remember reading a line that says you have to agree that you do not have access to coverage through another source. I may be wrong, but I don't think so.

 

[MAGICX2]

I will have my current coverage through Jan. 31, 2015.
At that point I will have COBRA available to me, however it is extremely high!
My husband does not have health insurance offered through his employer, not even a HSA.
I guess I just needed to know what my options were as far as plans available to me through the Marketplace for Ohio. Hubby makes to much to qualify for CHIP or Medicaid.

 

[Marionnette]

Do you know when coverage would begin?

We were notified in October that our coverage was being terminated effective Dec.1. I was able to apply for a new policy on Oct. 31 and I was told that my new policy would go into effect on the first of the month following the month in which I approved (i.e. Dec. 1 because I was approved in Nov.). They pretty much have to cover you that quickly because they don't permit you to apply sooner than 30 days prior to the loss of coverage.

 

[a1tinkfans]

So sorry to hear this OP!
I hope a better job is out there just waiting for you to apply. Best of luck!