No job does not automatically equate to no health care insurance. Should you lose your job, you should be able to maintain your health insurance plans. However, it will cost you.

One of the easiest and often the least expensive ways to acquire health care insurance if out of your job is through your spouse. If he or she has group benefits on the job, ask if you could be added in that plan.

If acquiring health insurance plans through your spouse is not an option, try getting health coverage from COBRA. COBRA stands for the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, which requires employers of 20 or more people to extend coverage for 18 months to workers who lose their jobs. This may also be available to people whose jobs are reduced to only part-time. However, you must pay for this health care insurance yourself once you no longer have a paycheck.

You may also try public health insurance plans, such as the Medicaid program in the State you reside in. In general, adults have to be very poor, with almost no income or assets, in order to be eligible for Medicaid. Qualifications for children would be much easier because there is the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, usually referred to as SCHIP or CHIP (but the program’s name may differ in certain States).

Losing your job doesn’t mean you lose your health care insurance automatically.

These days, your health is priceless. If you don’t take care of your health, your wallet will take a beating, along with your body. That’s why health insurance is a must. It will shoulder all necessary medical expenses, especially in emergencies and for the disabled.

Now, you might think, “What kind of risks do I face that makes health insurance important?” Aside from emergencies and disasters, anyone can face any of the following: injuries through accidents, minor to major illnesses, chronic diseases, and untreatable or terminal conditions.

These different cases can burn a hole in your pocket if you don’t have health insurance. Not only will it eat up savings, your time will also be wasted. And all this will cause disruption both at home and at work.

Health insurance usually covers the following:
- hospital room and boarding expenses
- nursing expenses
- diagnostic and medicine expenses
- fees for surgeons, anesthesiologists, medical practitioners, consultants and specialists
- cost of anesthesia, blood, oxygen, operation theatre expenses, surgical appliances, drugs and other similar expenses
- Pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses (subject to conditions and limits)

As early as possible, you should buy health insurance for you and your family. Normally, employers offer health insurance packages, but getting an individual or group plan also works, depending on what will benefit you the most. It helps to research online and ask different insurance companies to see which suits you and your family’s needs better.

Health insurance is an important financial investment that will keep you and your family safe. It may seem too costly at first, but paying for insurance is better than paying for your own medical expenses when something happens. It ensures that the stress and overwhelming medical bills won’t bother you too much should you be sick.