Did you recently lose your job? Or have your hours been cutback so that you're losing your insurance coverage?
If so, one of the most important things you need to do first is line up health care to cover your family.
Patients Cutting BackDoctor Robert Buchholz -- a practicing dentist for 35 years --- says patients are canceling appointments because their insurance has run out.
Dr Buchholz says "they are very honest and call and say I can't afford to do the work right now."
Buchholz says others are rushing to get in as soon as they get a layoff notice.
"they're trying to get in before they loose their insurance coverage."
If your insurance runs out, you can always postpone dental care. But you can't do that if you get sick...or need emergency room help. So what options do you have?
COBRA Government AidThe government's
COBRA program provides insurance to the laid off, or those whose hours have been cut substantially.
As long as you meet COBRA's requirements, you can't be denied coverage.
But the downside: it averages $450 a month.
Good news: The new
Stimulus plan will cover
up to 65% of COBRA costs in many cases. Check with your employer for details.
Finding Insurance on Your OwnIf you are not COBRA eligible, or the cost is too high, you may want to compare rates at the "big three" health insurance websites:
- eHealthInsurnace.Com
- Insure.Com
- Insweb.Com
All will compare rates for you, and find you companies that will insure you, pending a physical exam.
And if you just need temporary insurance, for a few months between jobs, check out
GradMed.Com.Discount Card WarningI've said this before, but I'll say it again: Be very careful of ads for "Health Cards" for 50 or 100 dollars a month.
Many just give you a small discount, if that, and will not cover a serious illness or injury. It's a false sense of security. You may be able to get the same discount with an AARP card. Check with your doctor before signing up for any medical card.
So shop around and don't waste your money. I'm John Matarese.
