The loss of healthcare coverage due to job termination or layoff, can mean financial crisis if families are not prepared. Knowing your options can help keep your family safe and healthy when insurance through an employer is no longer available.

Health Care Payment Plans

When unexpected health care bills arrive and health insurance is no longer available, the best place to begin negotiations is with your care provider. Often, doctors, clinics and specialists will work with regular patients in the event that health coverage is no longer there. Payment plans, reduced prices for some services and free samples of prescription drugs may be available.

Because most families can pay for an occasional office visit or antibiotic, one of the most important types of coverage to keep in the event of a loss in medical benefits is catastrophic insurance. Catastrophic events are the ones that can quickly bankrupt a family. Considering a trip to the emergency room for a broken arm could cost nearly $30,000.00 if there were complications, catastrophic or accident insurance is a good thing to pick up even if you let everything else go.

Short Term Medical Insurance Plans

Short-term medical plans are designed for people who are between permanent health plans. Coverage can be purchased for as few as 30 days or as many as 185 days depending on the state you live in and can be up to one third the cost of COBRA. Check with any insurance agent about this type of policy.

Many schools offer student accident insurance to cover children in the event of an accident at, or to and from school. Information about this policy is sent out at the beginning of each school year and is ideal for families without insurance coverage. Full-time coverage, full-time coverage with interscholastic sports and extended dental coverage is available depending on the company. Some companies also offer football coverage for grades 9-12. Contact your child’s school for more information.

Additional Health Care Insurance Coverage

Many group health insurance plans cover visits to the dentist or eye doctor, so when group health insurance is lost, these areas get put on hold. Having a plan already in place to cover these expenses can ease the burden. Contact your insurance agent or shop online for information on affordable dental, vision, and chiropractic care, as well prescription drug savings.

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