I may be without insurance for a while

[Angeles]

I may loose some work time due to work permit issues (trasnfer from visa etc) so I may not have income + no insurance for a few weeks or 1-3 months at worse. Well. I'm not panicking, I'll have food and shelter. I'm just trying to get all done before this possibly happnes (b/c it may not happen at all- I pray)
I will need to buy insurance on my own just in case, can someone give me some info on that?
I'll talk to my HR tomorrow about it too she may have some suggestions but I wonder what people without job do in terms of medical insurance.

[shell]

In many cases you can continue to buy into your employer's insurance plan under COBRA. You pay a higher amount for it than when you're an employee, but it's something to check with your HR department about.

If you are unable to find insurance coverage, talk with your doctor's office about prescription programs. Some pharmaceutical companies offer low-cost or free prescriptions to patients without insurance who meet certain income guidelines.

[ICNDonna]

You should be able to keep your insurance if you pay for it.

Donna

[Claredale]

Like the other posts say, you should be eligible for Cobra since you were on a group insurance plan. Private insurance is very expensive and normally doesn't cover pre-existing conditions. I hope adn pray it is just for the few months.

Hugs! Tracey

[Angeles]

Thanks so much for the replies and good advice, now I have something to ask my HR instead of going in "blank" to her office.

[Berkshire Road]

Absolutely, even if you do the COBRA, speak to your doctor and let him know you are without insurance. The doctor may be able to provide samples of some meds, and may be able to put you in touch with the pharmaceutical company's programs.

Good luck.

[Briza]

My sister bought COBRA insurance for a year when she took a year break from teaching. (She's good at saving money:))Best not to let the insurance lapse.

[stacey79]

If Cobra is too expensive for you (it was for us at over $800 a month), then you might look at short-term insurance. We were able to get a plan through State Farm that we have while my husband is unemployed right now. It's $137 a month for both of us. It doesn't cover prescriptions or conditions we've been treated for in the last five years, but it keeps our coverage from lapsing and covers us if something happens like an accident or emergency surgery. Especially since you know it's only a couple of months, it might be worth checking into if you can't afford Cobra.

[Claredale]

I used to work for State Farm. That would be a great idea to keep yourself insured. That is where I went to get coverage for my son until he graduated from college and got a job.

Hope you find something!
Tracey