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If you are furloughed (laid off temporarily), or terminated (laid off permanently) and had health insurance through your job, you will need to make a plan for your health care coverage.
Understand your options:
- If it is temporary, your employer may be willing to maintain your health coverage. You would still need to work out a way to make your contributions. Unfortunately, this is not always an option since the employer may not be able to afford it. But you may be offered this by your employer, or you can ask for that option.
- If your employer will not be willing or able to help, you will be on your own. You can choose to continue your current health insurance and pay for it yourself. A federal law called COBRA applies to employers with 20 or more employees and the state of Texas has an option for continuation of coverage when there are less than 20 employees. See more details from the Texas Department of Insurance here. There are deadlines to apply. Do not wait as you may lose your rights.
- Shop for insurance in the Affordable Care Act marketplace. This is the best option for many people. See more details here.
- See if you are eligible for Texas Medicaid or your children are eligible for CHIPS program for children. See more details here.
In any event, if you have lost your job, don’t wait to investigate medical coverage options for you and your family.
Kalish Law Office – Serving Texas families and businesses since 1984. Contact us.
