My husband just died and I was on his group health plan. What are my options for health insurance coverage?
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Asked January 26, 2012
1 Answer
Losing a loved one can be difficult, and understanding your options for health insurance coverage can be overwhelming. Here are a few options you may want to consider:
- COBRA: If your husband's employer had 20 or more employees and provided group health insurance, you may be eligible for COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) continuation coverage. This allows you to continue the same health insurance coverage that your husband had for up to 18 months (or longer in certain circumstances) after his death. However, you will need to pay the full premium, which may be more expensive than what you were previously paying while your husband was alive.
- Marketplace/ACA: If you don't qualify for COBRA, you may be able to purchase health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). You have 60 days after the loss of coverage to enroll in a plan through the Marketplace, even if it is outside the usual open enrollment period.
- Medicaid: If your income is low, you may be eligible for Medicaid, a government program that provides free or low-cost health insurance to individuals and families with limited incomes.
- Other options: You may also want to look into other options such as short-term health insurance, which provides temporary coverage, or private health insurance plans offered by insurers.
Answered January 26, 2012 by Anonymous