Lost Health Insurance Documents Amid Coronavirus Crisis? Here’s What You Can Do

Health insurance is one of the primary concerns that an individual can have in life, especially if someone is 65 and above. Old age is associated with various unpredictable illnesses. Therefore, a proper health insurance plan is a necessity. The coronavirus crisis plagues the world. And thus, having health insurance under the belt is something that one cannot avoid at any cost.

If you are one of those who have lost your job-related health insurance or you lost your insurance documents and cannot find them now (happens to the best of us), you don’t have much time to waste and need to take appropriate action as soon as possible. Some options have deadlines ranging from a month to around sixty days from the day you lose your coverage. Hence, the sooner you secure all the necessary documents, the better for you.

What Do You Get From the Cares Act?

The responses to the current crisis coming from the government have a limited effect on individual healthcare costs. Under the $2.2 trillion CARES Act, health insurers need to provide coverage for the testing of COVID-19 without deductibles and copays. The act also acts as insurance coverage in case of telehealth visits.

However, you should know that COVID-19 treatments don’t fall under the purview of any coverage. Therefore, you might have to spend a massive sum of money on your visit to an emergency room or if you need hospitalization. And it will automatically make the healthcare costs skyrocket!

There are a few insurance companies that will provide relief from copayments and various other cost-sharing forms if you need coronavirus care. There has been an announcement from the White House as well. It would be reimbursing the hospitals to help around 28 million non-elderly citizens who are uninsured and need coronavirus care. It does not affect the treatment expenses for medical care to non-virus symptoms. However, you would still require a health insurance plan that would cover the costs of doctor visits, hospitals, and prescription drugs.

Have a Word With Your Former Employer

The situation is undergoing a rapid change. Some companies are providing health insurance to workers who are on leave, while some are offering to pay a part of the COBRA coverage over a certain period. Discussing the CARES Act, it has several provisions through which they can offer incentives to the employers so that they have it easy looking after the needs of the employees and thereby maintaining the workforce.

You need to have a detailed discussion with your employer and find out what your company is planning to do. You can also connect with your previous employer and secure the necessary documents. This will help you prove your dismissal and the loss of your health insurance.

You Can Sign up for a Family Member’s Policy

If you are below 26 years of age, you can sign up for the health insurance policy that your parents. You need to join it within a month after you lose your health insurance coverage. When you sign up for another health insurance plan, your parents have to shell out additional premium costs. However, that is the least expensive option that you have as a replacement. Everything else is going to burn a hole in your pocket.

Join Medicaid

It’s a known fact that Medicaid happens to be the largest health insurer in the United States. The health insurance that they offer those is as good as you get from private insurance companies. Medicaid can be an affordable option or a hard-to-get one, depending on where you live.

To check whether you are eligible for Medicaid or not, you can click on Medicaid.org and find out the details. Around 36 states in the U.S. as well as the District of Columbia, low income is the only criterion for qualifying for  Medicaid.

Many contemplate on availing short-term insurance. However, you can only keep it for a year or so. If you are considering using short-term insurance, for the time being, make sure that you set an end date. As the name suggests, short-term health insurance is for a short period.  This will ensure you have more reliable and long-term protection from any health care emergencies. But make sure you do proper research before deciding on the perfect health insurance plan.