- 1). If you've been laid off or fired from your job, you may have heard of COBRA. COBRA stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. It allows workers and their families an opportunity to continue receiving group health benefits under their employer's health plan. This comes in handy for those who may lose coverage due to voluntary or involuntary job loss, having hours reduced to part-time, divorce, death and other circumstances. The only difference is that you are responsible for paying the entire premium, which could end up being up to 102 percent of the cost to stay in the plan.
- 2). Learning how to find health insurance can be as easy as going online. Several websites will help you compare insurance quotes to choose the right policy for you. Visit sites like www.ehealthinsurance.com or www.usinsuranceonline.com for more information.
- 3). SCHIP, or State Children's Health Insurance Program, can benefit parents who cannot afford to pay for health coverage for the entire family. If you need insurance for your kids, but your income is higher than what is required for Medicaid, SCHIP may be the answer. Normally you'll pay a small monthly premium.
- 4). You may qualify for discount health coverage through certain group affiliations. Alumni organizations, auto clubs, AARP, unions and other organizations offer members the perk of paying lower group rates for health insurance.
- 5). Believe it or not, some part-time jobs provide health insurance to employees. Starbucks is one well-known company that extends health benefits to its part-time employees. Whole Foods and Barnes and Noble also offer health insurance benefits to their part-time employees.
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