Help for People in Maryland Without Health Insurance
Reasons for Loss of Health Insurance
There are many people who currently don’t have any health care coverage in Maryland. Some of them had coverage but lost it when they lost their jobs. In other cases, the health insurance coverage was lost when a person took early retirement. Some Maryland residents work for employers who don’t offer health insurance, while other people are unable to pay for coverage. People who are living with a serious medical condition or a disability may also find it difficult to get medical insurance.
Help for People in Maryland Without Health Insurance
Job Loss
If the reason the health insurance lapse was due to a job loss, the individual has the right to continue participating in his or her former employer’s health insurance plan. Under COBRA law, the individual can elect to continue this coverage within six months of the job loss as long as he or she pays the full amount of the premium for the plan. COBRA rules allow former employees of businesses that employ at least 20 people to stay covered for up to 18 months. In some cases, an extension of benefits may be approved.
Under Maryland law, former employees of small businesses can also elect to continue their health insurance under COBRA rules. The former employer is legally bound to advise the employee about his or her right to elect to continue coverage under COBRA.
Early Retirement
People who have lost health insurance as a result of taking early retirement may be able to get assistance under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act. Retirees who are over the age of 55 may be able to get 65 percent of their health insurance paid for until they are eligible to receive Medicare. This law applies in situations where the employer does not provide a pension any longer and the pension benefit is paid by the Pension Benefits Guaranty Corporation.
No Health Insurance at Work
A person working for an employer that does not provide health coverage can still find insurance. They can look at the private market for their coverage. A health insurance agent can help to find coverage that provides protection at the best possible rate.
Unable to Afford Coverage
For people who are unable to afford the cost of health insurance, the state of Maryland offers assistance through Medicaid, Health Choice and the Maryland Children’s Health Program. The programs are designed to help eligible individuals including:
- Parents with children living at home
- Pregnant women
- People living with a disability
- People who are spending a considerable amount of their income on health insurance
Eligibility for this type of assistance is based on family income, and a person or family who needs help is better off applying for coverage and waiting for a decision than trying to determine whether they meet the criteria on their own. There is no charge to apply for these programs.
Disabled People
People living with disabilities can get help with their health care coverage through Medicare or Medicaid (for low-income residents of the state). Maryland also has a high-risk pool that offers health care coverage to people who have been turned down by health insurance companies or who only quality for very expensive coverage because they have a pre-existing or chronic health condition.
There are many ways to get help for people in Maryland without health insurance. Before giving up on the idea of getting coverage, it pays to consider all the available options and get a bit creative in finding a solution to this issue.
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