How to Qualify for Free Health Care If You Are Unemployed
Effective July 1, unemployed Americans are eligible for huge Obamacare subsidies, which for 60% of them reduce their insurance premiums to $ 0 a month. If you were unemployed at any time in 2021, you could qualify for the new plan by visiting the health insurance market from now until August 15, when the current special enrollment period ends. Here’s what you need to know.
If you have not bought a new plan yet, do it now.
Last week, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced that starting July 1, anyone “who has received or is approved for unemployment compensation for any week starting in 2021 can find plans at even lower costs and save additional money for the weekend. – pocket money through HealthCare.gov, “which is, of course, home to the government-subsidized health marketplace under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. The subsidies are paid for by the American Rescue Plan , which was passed earlier this year.
As CNBC reports , full subsidies apply to lower cost silver and bronze plans, so you’re likely to pay a premium for a more comprehensive gold and platinum policy anyway. At the same time, Yahoo! Silver plans are reportedly currently available on the exchange with a recently reduced $ 0 premium.
However, there are some limitations. The amount of subsidies varies by state, especially if the services offered go beyond what the ACA considers important health benefits. You also may not be eligible for a subsidy retroactively if, for example, you can get health insurance through your employer.
How to sign up for an Obamacare plan
If you were unemployed at any point in 2021, you can sign up for coverage at healthcare.gov until August 15, when the current open enrollment period ends. If you already have insurance coverage, you can return to the market to update your information and see if you are eligible for additional subsidies. When you look at the plans on offer, you will likely see at least a few free Silver plans that were not previously available. For more information on how to buy an ACA plan, read this Lifehacker post .