This is a common question. When you’re between health insurance coverage, it can be hard to know what to do for the time being. You probably have heard of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, but is that your only option?
Nope, you have other options! Let’s break them down to see which one may be right for you when you’re between coverage.
COBRA grants former employees, retirees, spouses and dependents temporary access to the same benefits they received on their previous employer’s plan for usually up to 18 months. The downside to COBRA is that it tends to be more expensive. The difference is that you are responsible for the entire premium rather than just some of the premium, as most employers pay for part of your coverage as part of your benefits package. You will also continue to have coinsurance, deductibles and copayments; plus, COBRA carries an administrative fee of up to 2%. COBRA may be right for you if:
- Your doctor is out-of-network on other plans
- You reached your deductible before your coverage ended
If you qualify, choose an individual health plan when you’re between coverage:
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Depending on why you are between coverages, you may be eligible for a special enrollment period, so you don’t have to wait for open enrollment to apply. You may be eligible if your health insurance ended due to: loss of job-based coverage, the end of an individual plan, COBRA expiration, aging off a parent’s plan, losing eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP and other similar circumstances.
It’s important to note that voluntarily ending coverage, including failing to pay premiums or losing coverage that doesn’t qualify as minimum essential coverage, doesn’t make you eligible for a special enrollment period.
If you qualify, you are eligible to apply for these two types of coverage:
- Traditional PPO health plansare less expensive than COBRA, so compare coverage options. This plan may be right for you if you’re looking for a plan with options, so you can save money by choosing a plan that offers the balance of premium, coverage and deductible that’s right for you.
- High-deductible health planscan save you money on your premium. When you pair this type of plan with a tax-advantaged health savings account (HSA) that you own and control, you can maximize your health care spending. This plan may be right for you if you are relatively healthy. If your expected medical costs are low, you can reduce your monthly premiums significantly by choosing this type of plan.
Regardless of which option you choose, it is important that you do not allow your coverage to lapse. If the unexpected happens without coverage, you and your family will be responsible for 100% of all medical costs that may occur.
For more information about health insurance options please contact our benefits advisors. They can be reached at 800-637-4676 or [email protected]. Or you may request information online.
Source: WPS Health Insurance