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This article brings up a very important point that I don't think the author intended to make: do not sign up for COBRA. If the author had signed up for an indiv

This article brings up a very important point that I don't think the author intended to make: do not sign up for COBRA. If the author had signed up for an individual plan under Obamacare within the 60 day period from when she lost her job, she would have at least had health insurance, and if she remained unemployed, she would qualify for increasingly large subsidies. In the olden days (before 2013) you had to sign up for COBRA to stay insured unless you were healthy enough to qualify for individual insurance. But now you can't be turned down, but you can only sign up during specific enrollment periods. Problem is, COBRA is still around, and companies are still required to offer it to you, even though for most people it's going to be way more expensive than individual insurance (because it's unsubsidized), and if something goes wrong or you become unable to afford the premiums, you can end up like the author, unable to sign up for an individual plan because you're out of the enrollment period. This is one of a few holes and pitfalls that were created by the Affordable Care Act. I know a lot about this stuff because my startup helps companies save money and design health benefits programs that take advantage of recent changes in the health care law (benefitter.com). If you have any Obamacare questions, let me know.

wspeirs 12y ago
You can also retroactively sign up for COBRA. That's what I did when I left my job; went "uninsured" for 60 days then got my own insurance. In that 60 day window if something had happened, I would have retroactively signed up for COBRA (having to pay both months) and used the coverage. It's certainly a roll-of-the-dice, but for a younger healthy person like myself, I was really only worried about freak accidents and needed the money.
- numlocked 12y ago
  I did the same thing. I had the paperwork filled out and the check ready to go. Then I told a family member where it physically was in my apartment. In the off chance I did actually get hit by a bus and hospitalized -- at least someone could get the paperwork turned it for me. I felt sort of silly doing it, but realized that if I really was mostly worried about some kind of freak accident, then i should actually ensure that the insurance could kick in following said freak accident.
exhilaration 12y ago
This is amazing advice. I've always assumed that I would automatically sign up for COBRA if I lost my job.
- coldcode 12y ago
  In my case the Cobra (for just me) is cheaper than a bronze AHCA plan. For the time being I am happy with it.
Someone1234 12y ago
That's really interesting. I feel like more people need to know this. I always just assumed you were "meant" to sign up for COBRA and didn't even consider that Obamacare-plans might be a superior choice given unemployment.

wspeirs 12y ago

You can also retroactively sign up for COBRA. That's what I did when I left my job; went "uninsured" for 60 days then got my own insurance. In that 60 day window if something had happened, I would have retroactively signed up for COBRA (having to pay both months) and used the coverage. It's certainly a roll-of-the-dice, but for a younger healthy person like myself, I was really only worried about freak accidents and needed the money.

numlocked 12y ago
I did the same thing. I had the paperwork filled out and the check ready to go. Then I told a family member where it physically was in my apartment. In the off chance I did actually get hit by a bus and hospitalized -- at least someone could get the paperwork turned it for me. I felt sort of silly doing it, but realized that if I really was mostly worried about some kind of freak accident, then i should actually ensure that the insurance could kick in following said freak accident.

exhilaration 12y ago

This is amazing advice. I've always assumed that I would automatically sign up for COBRA if I lost my job.

coldcode 12y ago
In my case the Cobra (for just me) is cheaper than a bronze AHCA plan. For the time being I am happy with it.

Someone1234 12y ago

That's really interesting. I feel like more people need to know this. I always just assumed you were "meant" to sign up for COBRA and didn't even consider that Obamacare-plans might be a superior choice given unemployment.