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Step 1
Determine whether you already have health benefits with your current employer. Review your policy to see what services are covered. Although you will probably have to pay out-of-pocket expenses for surgeries and specialized treatments, having a minimum amount of coverage with your employer is better than nothing.
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Step 2
Determine whether you are eligible for payments under workers compensation for work-related injuries. Under state law, your employer is required to carry workers comp insurance. If you are hospitalized or receiving treatments/prescriptions as a result of an accident that occurred in the course of work, your employer should be picking up a portion of the tab.
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Step 3
Research whether you are eligible for COBRA benefits. COBRA stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act and affects people who may still be eligible for health benefits from a prior employer even if they are no longer working.
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Step 4
Determine whether you are eligible to receive Medicare or Medicaid benefits. Medicaid is targeted to low income families; Medicare is for individuals who are over 65 years of age and/or individuals who are currently receiving Social Security disability income payments.
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Step 5
Research insurance companies via the Internet or on the phone who offer individual and family health insurance policies. These are similar to insurance policies for homes and autos but are specifically targeted to unemployed and self-employed individuals who want to make sure that the needs of their families are taken care of. Resources such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can direct you to what you need to know about making sure that your children are entitled to the best healthcare possible.
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Step 6
Investigate whether there are organizations that provide low-cost health insurance programs for their members (alumni associations, credit unions, fraternities, sororities, religious entities, among others).
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Step 7
Discuss your needs and concerns with an insurance professional who can direct you to low-cost programs in which you can enroll.
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Step 8
Investigate managed care programs that will allow you to choose your own physician.
