Michigan Health Coverage for the Unemployed
There are a lot of things to think about when you first find yourself unemployed. In the rush to find a new job or figure out your next step, it can be easy to procrastinate in dealing with your family’s health coverage. Keep in mind that you have 60 days from the date that your former job ended to file for COBRA benefits. The Michigan Civil Service Commission offers detailed information about the steps necessary to apply for this coverage here: http://www.michigan.gov/mdcs/0,4614,7-147-22854_32360-99529–,00.html.
Those who would qualify are any Michigan employees who have left or lost their jobs, but were covered by a group plan under their former employer. Any other family members who had been covered under your plan also qualify. Both your employer and health care provider are required to inform you of your elective COBRA benefits within 14 days of the qualifying event. At that point, you can elect to continue with the exact same coverage as before. The difference will be that your employer is no longer contributing, so you will pay the entire premium.
The reason why this is a worthwhile deal of course, is that under a group plan you will still end up paying less than if you were to find new insurance on your own. The benefits in most cases will last for up to 18 months. If you had a preexisting condition, then after your COBRA benefits end, you may qualify for HIPAA Conversion. This means that you can continue receiving the same benefits, regardless of medical history, when you convert to an individual plan. This may also apply if your employer has closed shop resulting in the termination of your group plan. Contact your insurance provider for all the necessary information and forms.
If your complany has shut down, or you did not have coverage through them, Michigan Careers in Transtion (MCIT) offers help with other options http://www.michigan.gov/jobs/0,1607,7-257-52254—,00.html , as does the Michigan Department of Human Services 1-855-275-6424 .
For information about insurance providers in Michigan, including differing rules pertaining to pre existing conditions, check out this site http://www.medhealthinsurance.com/michigan.htm . Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan for example, cannot turn down applications based on health conditions, and does not impose exclusion periods if you are eligible for HIPAA.
If you have medical needs or a family to care for, health insurance is likely important to you regardless of any changing circumstances. Take a few minutes to become more informed about your current options as an unemployed Michigan resident, and you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re still taking care of your loved ones during your intermission from work.