If I lose my job, what happens with my health insurance?

If you lose your job, the status of your health insurance coverage will depend on the specific circumstances of your employment and the terms of your health insurance plan. Here are a few possibilities to consider:

• COBRA: If your employer has 20 or more employees, they are required by law to offer you the option to continue your current health insurance coverage through COBRA. COBRA allows you to keep your same plan, but you will be responsible for paying the full premium yourself (including the portion your employer previously paid). You have 60 days after losing your job to decide whether to elect COBRA coverage.
• Marketplace: If you lose your job and do not elect COBRA, you may be eligible for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. You can visit healthcare.gov to see if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Marketplace coverage outside of the usual open enrollment period. Depending on your income, you may be eligible for subsidies to help lower your premium costs.
• Medicaid: If you have a low income, you may be eligible for Medicaid coverage. The rules for Medicaid eligibility vary by state, so you should check with your state's Medicaid program to see if you qualify.
• Spouse's plan: If your spouse or domestic partner has health insurance through their employer, you may be able to enroll in their plan.
• Individual plan: You can also consider purchasing an individual health insurance plan. However, keep in mind that these plans can be more expensive than employer-sponsored plans, and they may not cover the same range of services.

It's important to note that if you lose your job, you generally have a limited time to enroll in a new health insurance plan, so it's important to act quickly to avoid a gap in coverage.