Live in California. Lost my health coverage last month. Missed this month enrollment period (like an idiot) and now i desperately need health insurance for this month October. What are my options besides COBRA coverage?
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Is your income low enough to qualify for Medicaid?
If not, you can use COBRA or get coverage through Covered California, which would start in January 2025.
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COBRA from your old job is your only option for retroactive coverage, ensuring you have no gap in coverage, which is important in states that require it.
If your income is low enough, you can request Medi-Cal, which can also be retroactive.
You can choose a Covered California plan, but you have 60 days from the loss of your previous job’s coverage to select one. It seems like your new job offers benefits, but since you missed the opportunity, you might not be eligible for a subsidy.
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If I got injured today and applied for cobra tomorrow would it retroactively cover my bills today?
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Yes, if you choose COBRA within your election window, it will be retroactive to when you lost your employee coverage once activated. However, you’ll need to make your payments, which cover the period from when you lost your employee coverage until you sign up.
Once your COBRA coverage is active, provide your membership information to your providers and ask them to process the claims through your COBRA coverage.
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You are the absolute best thank you. Been freaking out since the 1st.
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If you’ve recently lost your job, you can elect COBRA to continue your previous employer’s health insurance for up to 18 months. It provides retroactive coverage, so you won’t have a gap in coverage, but you will need to pay the full premium.
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These plans offer temporary coverage and can usually be activated quickly. However, they may not cover pre-existing conditions and often have limited benefits.
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Evaluate your options based on your health needs and financial situation. If you need guidance, consider consulting an insurance agent for personalized assistance.