Orlando Harmon
If you are unemployed or have no income, you can still get health insurance. Healthcare.gov is a good place to start, as it allows you to check your eligibility for state Medicaid. You can also explore Marketplace plans, which offer a range of options at different costs, depending on factors such as coverage, income, family size, and location. Subsidies and tax credits could lower your premiums if you qualify. If you've recently lost your job, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) might be the quickest and easiest way to get health insurance, as it allows you to maintain your employer-sponsored health insurance for up to 18 months after leaving your job. However, COBRA can be costly, as you are responsible for paying the full premium.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| For people 65 and older | Medicare Savings Programs |
| Medicare Part A | |
| Medicare Part B | |
| Extra Help | |
| For people younger than 65 | Healthcare.gov |
| Medicaid | |
| CHIP | |
| COBRA | |
| ACA health coverage | |
| Marketplace plans |
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What You'll Learn
Medicaid eligibility
Medicaid is a federal health insurance program for people with little to no income. It is a joint federal and state program that provides thousands of dollars' worth of healthcare benefits to eligible individuals. Eligibility for Medicaid depends primarily on income, and for those who qualify, it provides free or low-cost health coverage for individuals, families, and children, pregnant women, the elderly, as well as those with disabilities.
- Income under $1,800 per month
- Assets under $32,396
- Require a nursing home level of care
It is important to note that having access to job-based coverage does not affect your eligibility for Medicaid. Additionally, certain life changes or qualifying events may make you eligible to change your health insurance options outside of the annual open enrollment period.
If you are unemployed and need health insurance, you can explore options through the Health Insurance Marketplace or your State Exchange. These plans are typically based on age, household income, and location. You may also be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage, which allows you to maintain health coverage temporarily after losing your job.
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Medicare Savings Programs
There are four Medicare Savings Programs, each with different income and resource eligibility limits:
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): Covers Medicare premiums (Part A, if applicable, and Part B), deductibles, copayments, and/or coinsurance. To qualify, individuals must have income less than 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and resources under $9,660 if single, $14,470 if married.
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB): Helps people with low incomes pay their Part B premiums. To qualify, monthly income cannot exceed $1,288 for singles ($15,456 per year) or $1,742 for couples ($20,904 per year).
- Qualified Individual (QI): Assists people with low incomes in paying their Part B premiums, with a higher income limit than QMB or SLMB. To qualify, monthly income cannot exceed $1,449 for singles ($17,338 per year) or $1,960 for couples ($23,517 per year).
- Qualified Disabled Working Individual (QDWI): This program is for people with disabilities who are working and have low incomes.
In addition to these four main programs, California also offers the 250% California Working Disabled (CWD) program. Income limits for MSPs are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii, and some states do not count certain types or amounts of income or resources when determining eligibility. It is important to contact your state to find out the specific programs and eligibility requirements.
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Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is a federal law that allows individuals to maintain health coverage temporarily after their employment ends, they lose coverage as a dependent of the covered employee, or due to another qualifying event. COBRA is a useful option for those seeking medical insurance with no income as it allows them to retain their previous health insurance plan, albeit at their own expense.
COBRA was passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1985, with an official enactment date of April 7, 1986. The law mandates an insurance program that gives employees the ability to continue their health insurance coverage after leaving employment. It is important to note that COBRA does not require the employer to pay for the cost of providing continuation coverage. Instead, it allows employees and their dependents to maintain coverage by paying the full cost of the premium, plus up to a 2% administrative charge. This cost covers the premium the employer and employee previously paid.
The coverage provided by COBRA must be identical to the coverage currently offered under the plan to similar active employees and their families. This includes the same benefits, choices, and services that a similar participant or beneficiary is receiving under the plan. Qualified individuals may be required to pay up to 102% of the cost of the plan. While some employers may voluntarily help subsidize or fully cover the cost of COBRA insurance, it is more common for the former employee to cover the entire cost.
To be eligible for COBRA, an individual must have lost their health benefits and be offered the right to continue their group health benefits by their group health plan. This applies under certain circumstances, such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events. COBRA generally applies to employers with 20 or more employees in the prior year, who must offer employees and their families the opportunity for a temporary extension of health coverage.
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$2.99 $12.95
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a government initiative that provides health coverage to eligible children from families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private coverage. CHIP is available in all states and is managed according to federal requirements. Each state has its own rules about who qualifies for CHIP, and you can apply at any time to find out if you are eligible. If your children are eligible for CHIP, they will not be eligible for any savings on a Marketplace plan, but CHIP coverage will likely be more affordable.
When you submit a Marketplace application, you will also be informed of your eligibility for programs like Medicaid and CHIP, as well as any cost savings you may qualify for on Marketplace insurance. If you apply to your state agency for Medicaid coverage, you will also discover if your children qualify for CHIP. If they are eligible, you won't need to buy an insurance plan to cover them.
CHIP is funded by states and the federal government and is available through both Medicaid and separate CHIP programs. It is important to note that eligibility for CHIP is based on federal annual income guidelines, and family income eligibility varies based on the number of family members. For example, singles earning up to $20,385 and couples earning up to $27,465 may be eligible for CHIP.
If you are unsure whether you can afford health coverage, Marketplace plans may be more affordable than you think, as most people qualify for savings. These savings are based on your expected household income for the year you are seeking coverage.
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ACA health insurance marketplace
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) gives more people access to health insurance. The ACA's Health Insurance Marketplace provides more affordable health insurance options, with no income limit. To be eligible to enrol in health coverage through the Marketplace, you must be a U.S. citizen or national, or be lawfully present.
The ACA offers special protections for those insured through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Insurers cannot refuse coverage based on sex or a pre-existing condition. There are no lifetime or annual limits on coverage for essential health benefits, and young adults can stay on their family's insurance plan until the age of 26.
The Health Insurance Marketplace offers a wide range of plans to choose from, covering medical, dental, and vision care. Each state's Marketplace has its own enrollment instructions and requirements. During the Marketplace open enrollment period each year, you may be able to change your coverage during a special enrollment period if you experience a life event like moving or having a baby. You may also qualify for a special enrollment period if your household income is below a certain amount.
If you are unemployed, you can still find and enrol in health coverage through the Marketplace, Medicaid, COBRA, or other flexible coverage options. The cost of health insurance between jobs is based on the plan level, your age, household income, and where you live. You can apply for coverage through the Marketplace to find out if you qualify for savings or low-cost health coverage based on your expected household income for the year.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have no income, you can explore options such as Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare. Medicaid is a government-funded program that provides health coverage at little to no cost for those with limited income and resources. CHIP is designed for families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. Medicare is available premium-free for those 65 and older who have paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
To qualify for Medicaid, you must be a resident of the state in which you will get Medicaid and be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Eligibility is primarily determined by income, and each state has its own income guidelines.
You can apply for Medicaid through Healthcare.gov, which will also check your eligibility for other programs like CHIP and Marketplace insurance. You can also explore options through the Health Insurance Marketplace, which may offer subsidies to significantly lower your monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
