Temporary Health Insurance

Hi R.,

I work in HR. I beleive someone has already mentioned it, but Obama did pass a stimulus package helping those who have been laid off. Here is a link that was sent to me by the broker we work with. I hope this helps.
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/fsCOBRApremiumreduction....

2 moms found this helpful

You should be able to get health insurance for the children through SCHIP. http://healthyfamilies.ca.gov/Home/default.aspx
Healthy Families is low cost insurance for children and teens.
It provides health, dental and vision coverage to children who do not have insurance and do not qualify for free Medi-Cal.

2 moms found this helpful

Healthy Families is amazing! It's a full-blown health policy for kids that costs, at the most, $17 per child per month. The policies are regular Kaiser, Blue Cross, or Health Net policies (plus dental and vision insurance through major providers as well). And co-pays for everything are only $5.00. If you don't qualify for Healthy Families you can check to see if your county offers a Healthy Kids policy. Start by Googling Healthy Families California. Then, call them and get the local number for your county. I found that the application process went a lot faster when I went to the representative in my own county. My qualification was a bit borderline when I spoke to folks on the 800 number, but the local guy qualified me right away. Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful

Dear R.,
There are temporary health insurance plans. And, you most likely would qualify for Healthy Families for your children. You may qualify for medi-cal, but that depends on your assets. Healthy Families doesn't ask those questions. Individual and temporary health plans take your health history into consideration.
I am a licensed agent, although I'm not working for anyone right now as I'm recovering from a broken leg. If you'd like to send me a private message, I can get someone to help you. I helped another family that posted on this site back in December. Or, I can help you find information on the web. Just let me know.

Take care!

2 moms found this helpful

We've had really good luck with https://www.ehealthinsurance.com . It is WAY cheaper than cobra, and you can often get better coverage for a lot less money. They also have short term insurance - one to two months. Be sure to specify that you want short term insurance when you apply (it is all done online.)

Good Luck!
K.

2 moms found this helpful

Sorry to hear about your husbands jobloss!
My family has Blue Shield of CA. We are self employed and it has been the best thing for us..
I would be aware of what your needs are. I.e. amount you can pay monthly, # of doctors visits- which will help with what kind of plan you need.. If you go alot get a lower copay if you only go once in awhile maybe checkout a higher co-pay with a lower monthly cost.. Also keep in mind what doctors you use and if they accept this brand of insurance...(are they on the preferred provider list= PPO)..
We utilize an HMO so we can just go anywhere.. I hope this helped a little bit..
If nothing else keep your head up there are alternatives out there..

2 moms found this helpful

We are in the same boat. Baby born 10/2, hubby's job gone 10/30, my job cut to 1/2 time this month!

I am applying for Medical for the children. My pediatrician will take medical for current patients so, if approved, my kids can continue to go to their pediatrician. This doesn't cover the parents, but will cover the children. If you don't qualify for Medical, there is also a program they will refer you to called Healthy Families.

Go for it!

Mom of 4: 19, 12, 7, 5 mos.

1 mom found this helpful

You should try the Healthy Kids of California. Go on the website and you can download the application. If you do apply, send everything that they ask for at once. And if you qualify your children get their insuarance in a few weeks. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi, I've got the same idea, Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. Also, go and sign up for food stamps while you're there. They may offer it anyways if they see the need. And don't forget to change the status on the kids lunch at school. If you paid for full lunch prior to the job loss, you may now qualify for free or reduced. Anything helps. Good luck and hope things work out for you.

N.

1 mom found this helpful

I just heard on the news this past weekend that their is a new policy for Cobra insurance that is supposed to be cheaper than before. Look into that. Google "new Cobra Insurance Policy" or something to that fact. Also, Healthy Kids through Healthy families will work for your children. It is great! Good Luck and blessings to you and your family!

1 mom found this helpful

Have you tried Medi-Cal? You can go to the health and human services office in your area and ask if you qualify. You can have income and still receive Medi-Cal. It's hardly the best insurance, as it doesn't cover everything. But some insurance is better than none...

1 mom found this helpful

I'm so sorry to hear that - the economy HAS to get better soon! My family was recently on COBRA to the tune of $1000/month, so I feel your pain.

But meanwhile, how about a high-deductible plan? They can be fairly low in cost, and being that it is just short-term, you probably just need to guard against catastrophic illness/injury, right? This way, you can show that you have had no lapse in coverage, and if something really awful were to happen, you would have coverage after paying a family deductible of... $1000-4000, depending on what kind of plan you have. We have this kind of plan where I work (although fortunately my employer pays most of the deductible), but my understanding is that it's low cost and still allows you a lot of options, should the need arise. Ours is through Blue Cross, but I think most insurers have a plan like this.

Otherwise you could try Kaiser; I have heard their plans can be reasonable.

Best of luck to you; may the job search be quick and painless for you both!!

1 mom found this helpful

Try calling healthy families. They have low cost health care, the kids would be only ones covered, but it is based on income so the rates are low.
Good luck to you and your family.

1 mom found this helpful

Have you thought of applying for medi-cal? If not, go to children & family services center where people get cash aide, food stamps or medi-cal for the needy families. If you both don't have jobs, you should be able to qualify for medical if there are no income in the house or limited income in order for you both get medi-cal. All of my 4 kids have medi-cal since I was off work for a while due to maternity leave and medical leave. I was qualified because due to financial situation even though I have health insurance through my work for me and my 4 kids. Give them a call and get info or go to the office and find out. I hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi R.,
As many other mama's mentioned Healthy Families is available, that is what we have for our daughter. Also as mentioned Medi-Cal. You can also get your children on temporary Medi-Cal through the CHDP program. You should be able to sign up at your local health department. It goes based on the number of family members and the amount of income. I have that information available, if interested feel free to email me and I will provide you with that. Another option is to check out Tonik. You can sign up online and I'm sure it would be less than $1400/month.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi
Sorry to hear your husband was laid off, a lot of that is going on, hopefully he will get called back to work or find something better. Good Luck

My name is Evangeline Cook, I am an insurance broker, been with Met Life almost 20yrs. I might be able to help you. I do have an ad with Mama Source. Please contact me by phone or email and find out exactly what type of health insurance coverage you are looking for and we can go from there. My business phone numbers are: ###-###-#### or ###-###-####. Brokerage name is COOK INSURANCE SERVICES.
Looking forward to hearing from you

Sincerely,

Evangeline S. Cook
###-###-####

1 mom found this helpful

R., I understand that with Obama's stimulus package, there is a big change in cobra, especially for people who have lost their jobs. It should only cost about 35% of the standard fee.
Check out the article. It may apply to you.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/28/health/policy/28patient...

Stephanie

1 mom found this helpful

You should receive a notice from your husband's previous employer soon due to the new regulations referred to as ARRA. The government is now subsidizing the cost of COBRA for people who had involuntary terminations anytime after 9/1/08 through 12/31/2009. The subsidy is 65% for most people, but it is based upon income. I would recommend contacting the previous employer's Human Resources department to find out if his company is subject to this. It is only for employers who had 50 or more employees. Good luck!