Health care insurance

COBRA Insurance

• http://cobrainsurance.com/information/articles/5/1/COBRA-Health-Insurance-Explained/Page1.html
• https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ehi/Consumer-Health-Insurance-Resources.ds?articleId=C1;A1-18;1
• http://cobrainsurance.com/information/articles/3/1/What-is-COBRA/Page1.html
• http://cobrainsurance.com/information/articles/14/1/COBRA-Insurance-Fact-Sheet-2007/Page1.html

COBRA Insurance (enforced through an act called COBRA) offers temporary insurance (usually 18-36 months max., you can discontinue any time) for people

1. Who had jobs and had employer-assisted insurance. Through employer's group (other employees where lost jobs) and COBRA provider, they can get insurance.
2. Who has a job, but employer doesn't pay insurance.
3. Family members (spouse, children, ...) can be covered.

Coverage:

1. You can take full coverage you were having before you lost job. For this, you have to 102% of all payments (your premium + premiums paid by your ex-employer + 2% administrative charge).
2. Or, you can take a lower coverage, resulting lower premium. (I've seen offers like $225/month for a family of four members)
   

Medicaid & Medicare

• http://www.hhs.gov/faq/medicaremedicaid/653.html
• http://www.hhs.gov/faq/medicaremedicaid/85.html

Medicare is for mostly for elderly persons. It's a health insurance program by federal government. Pays most of the claims, some copay may be required.

Medicaid is assist program. Can help to pay almost full health care costs. Eligible: pregnant woman or US children or disabled or blind, has low income. You could try even if you don't belong on of the mentioned group.