Change is a big deal.  Employment changes affect the very fiber of our being. Those changes influence our safety and security. 

No matter if you choose or didn’t choose to depart from your corporate position, I’m here to help you keep your overwhelm in check with solid and reliable guidelines to keep you moving safely toward your desired lifestyle destination.

How do I get great, affordable health insurance? 

First, understand you have more types of plans in the individual market.  Here’s the bullet point of options in the US followed by their definitions. Then, together we’ll review next steps.

• Cobra
• ACA (Affordable Care Act), also known as Obamacare
• Short term plans
• Limited Benefit Plans
• Faith Based Cost Sharing Plans
• Sickness and Accident Plan

Cobra

You may have the option for your existing health plan provided by our company through Cobra (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act), a law passed in the 1980’s. It provides you with the ability to continue your existing coverage.

In most cases, your plan is in effect for up to 18 months.  While you’re employed, employers usually pay a portion of your monthly health plan premium.  When you are no longer an employee, you usually pay the entire monthly premium. 

With Cobra, there is a 60 day window for you to accept or decline coverage.  This gives you time to compare other health plan options without having any gap in coverage.

ACA

Since January of 2014, individual health plans became available.  These plans do not consider pre-existing health conditions to obtain health coverage. Income levels may provide tax credits or subsidies on your health plan premiums.

This comprehensive health care reform law also influenced employer requirements, expanded public programs, benefit definitions and defined insurance regulations. 

Short Term Plans (or Gap Plans)

Short Term Plans are exactly what they sound like, plans that are usually under 12 months of coverage.  They do not renew automatically.  There are limits on how long you can renew.

Limited Benefit Plans

Limited Benefit Plans are exactly what they sound like too, plans that limit how much you are covered for. Also, not all health conditions are covered. 

Faith Based Cost Sharing Plans

Faith Based Cost Sharing Plans are provided through a healthcare sharing ministry.  And this, too, is how it sounds. Health care costs are shared between members.  They began in the 1990’s and are faith-based 501(c)3 not-for-profit organizations.  It acts like insurance; however, it is not insurance. 

Private Health Plans – Traditional fee-for-service

Traditional fee-for-service

This approach looks at the pre-existing history of applicants.

For more help with your health plan, fill out the lifestyle form to have me as your trusted health advisor!