Can't Afford Health Insurance?

 

My youngest child just aged off our health insurance, and she can't find coverage she can afford. Is anyone else having the same problem? Especially since subsidies for the affordable care act ended?

Can you keep insurance through your work? 

My daughter wanted to use COBRA and stay on our insurance. What is COBRA? It:

"....gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events. Qualified individuals may be required to pay the entire premium for coverage up to 102% of the cost to the plan."

In simple words, you can keep your health insurance from your job - but will need to pay the entire cost (your work usually pays the majority of your premium). 

My daughter would need to pay $885 per month for health insurance and dental coverage. Do you know any college student that can afford $855 a month for health insurance?! Since that's not an option, what else can she do?

Other options for health insurance  

She applied for health insurance on the Health Insurance marketplace, but isn't covered right now. She has had to put her allergy shots on hold - which is going to be a problem. The pharmacy gave her a discount for paying out of pocket, so she could refill her inhalers.  

Another option she is looking at is to find a local low income/sliding scale medical and dental clinic.  

Low income/sliding scale medical clinics 

In my work in public health, I often help people (and family members) find resources. My favorite resource is called NeedyMeds (I have no tie to them, I just like their website). On Needymeds, you can input your zip code and find a low income/sliding scale clinics in your area. 

On the main page, scroll down and click on "Affordable Health Clinics". You can select :

• Medical clinics
• Dental clinics
• Mental health clinics
• Substance use disorder clinics  

 Just add your postal code, a radius for how many miles you can travel, and go! 

Are you worried about what will happen if you have an accident, or get a major (and expensive) medical diagnosis? 

 Catastrophic health plans 

A friend can't afford health insurance, and opted for a catastrophic health plan. That will cover her in case she has gets sick and ends up in the hospital, or has an accident. 

Check the requirements on the page, because some people won't qualify. But it may be an option for someone who wants health care coverage for a medical emergency. 

Good luck if you are struggling to find health insurance too. I feel for you. 

Hugs,

Andrea