With millions of people nationwide filing for unemployment since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals and families across the country are suddenly finding themselves without health insurance at a precarious time.
However, unemployed individuals have more options for affordable health insurance than they did during past economic recessions thanks to provisions in the Affordable Care Act, along with actions recently taken by Congress and some states," says American Medical Association (AMA) President Patrice A. Harris, M.D.
Whether you recently lost your job-based health insurance or were uninsured before COVID-19 struck, the AMA, a long-time advocate for health insurance coverage for all Americans, is highlighting the following options:
• Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces: Family and individual health plans can be bought in the health insurance marketplaces created by the ACA.
Losing a job is a qualifying life event that allows unemployed individuals up to 60 days to enroll in a marketplace health plan before the close of a special enrollment period.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, certain states have reopened enrollment periods when all consumers — not only those who have experienced a job loss — can enroll in marketplace health plans and potentially qualify for financial assistance to purchase these plans based on their income.
Subsidies available to eligible individuals through the health insurance marketplaces can help with premiums and out-of-pocket costs, making coverage more affordable.
