by Guest » Fri Feb 03, 2012 03:33 pm
I have been out of work for the last 3 years. COBRA ran out and I have been without health insurance for the last 3 months. I just cant afford health insurance and people are telling me that the new health reform makes it mandatory for everybody to purchase health insurance. My unemployment benefits would run out in a few weeks. I don't know what to do. Help?
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 05:19 am Post Subject:
people are telling me that the new health reform makes it mandatory for everybody to purchase health insurance
This will not be true until at least January 1, 2014. And it may never be true at all. There is a case that will be heard by the US Supreme Court as to whether this provision in the PPACA is constitutional. No telling how the Court will handle the question, because precedent has always held that no one has standing to challenge a law that is not in effect. However, due to the importance of the matter, and the fact that more than two different US District Courts have rendered conflicting opinions, the Supremes will have to weigh in on the matter.
Until then your options are to (a) continue to live without health insurance or (b) continue to live without health insurance. There are state and federal plans for persons in your situation. Neither are "low cost" and you will not be eligible for the federal plan until you have been uninsured for six consecutive months.
You don't identify which state you are a resident of, so I have no way to direct you to the appropriate reference.
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 11:53 am Post Subject:
I'm from Metairie, Louisiana. How much would these plans you are talking about cost?
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 11:39 am Post Subject:
Max, wouldn't he be eligible for Medicaid?
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 06:14 am Post Subject:
wouldn't he be eligible for Medicaid?
Possibly. His question was about health insurance which is decidedly different. Medicaid eligibility is based on a test of a combination of income and assets.
If a Louisiana resident cannot find health coverage because of a pre-existing health condition, the state provides coverage through the Louisiana Health Plan, state's high-risk pool. To be eligible for this program, individuals must have high risk health condition, or during the 12 months prior to applying for coverage from the LHP have been rejected by a health insurer. Individuals would qualify for LHP if the most recent coverage was under a group health plan; who had at least 18 months of continuous health insurance coverage; who has exhausted any available COBRA coverage; whose most recent coverage was not terminated due to nonpayment of premiums or fraud; who does not have other health insurance coverage; and who is not eligible for other coverage. The Louisiana Health Plan provides coverage to the residents who are eligible under the Health Coverage Tax Credit federal program as well as HIPAA-eligible individuals who have exhausted their coverage options in the group market.
For more information on the other preexisting condition insurance plan, visit https://www.pcip.gov/StatePlans.html, and click on "LA".
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