What are people experiencing unemployment/job instability doing about health insurance?

[Anonymous]

This is a volatile time, particularly in the DC area. If you lose your job unexpectedly, and particularly if you have a spouse/kids to support, what do you all think is the best route for health insurance? (i.e. COBRA, finding it independently in the marketplace, etc.) Any tips/lessons learned to cover your family's health but also keep your money as much as possible?

[Anonymous]

We got insurance off the Maryland exchange. It was cheaper than COBRA, but almost as much as our mortgage. Rates went up (obviously) from 2025 to 2026. Fortunately now employed after 8 months. I honestly don't know how most people can afford this, we were lucky to have some buffer but I know many others do not.

[Anonymous]

COBRA, Obamacare. Chapter 7 bankruptcy if anything outrageous gets charged.

[Anonymous]

Floss your teeth. Brush after every meal. Wear masks in crowded places. Salt water gargle. Live in a clean home. Shower every day. Hydrate with water. More vegetables and whole plant based foods. Exercise. Sleep well.

PRAY.

[Anonymous]

Cobra is retroactive so we didn't sign up initially but knew we could in an emergency. I hustled to get a job in the public school system (great benefits, crap pay). Before my benefits kicked in for the family, I considered bubble wrapping my children and prayed. Spouse eventually landed a new job but the pay/benefits aren't great and the job security is questionable so I'll stay right where I am for now. It's really stressful to even think about tbh.

[Anonymous]

I used COBRA when I was laid off and unemployed for four months. I did every medical thing I had put off in part because I wanted to stick my employer with the bill (self-insured company) and I had time for appointments.

It's more expensive than the exchange but my deductible was low and coverage was better than ACA plans. I would likely do the same thing again and re-evaluate switching to ACA if I was unemployed longer term.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone, really appreciate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used COBRA when I was laid off and unemployed for four months. I did every medical thing I had put off in part because I wanted to stick my employer with the bill (self-insured company) and I had time for appointments.

lol I love this! Did you figure out how much more the company ultimately paid out compared to your premiums?

[Anonymous]

I bought it only for the kid for $200 a month. He is never sick.
I'm never sick and have gone without for decades.

[Anonymous]

I would really advise getting it for yourself - even just catastrophic insurance. One unexpected medical bill could cause financial catastrophe for the uninsured.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Floss your teeth. Brush after every meal. Wear masks in crowded places. Salt water gargle. Live in a clean home. Shower every day. Hydrate with water. More vegetables and whole plant based foods. Exercise. Sleep well.

PRAY.

You're nuts to write this in response to a question about health insurance. I just can't even believe you would say this.

[Anonymous]

Fortunate to be able to switch over to spouse's work insurance though it's more than double the price.

[Anonymous]

I went to the exchange and put in my income and got put on the Exchange which cost me $0.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Floss your teeth. Brush after every meal. Wear masks in crowded places. Salt water gargle. Live in a clean home. Shower every day. Hydrate with water. More vegetables and whole plant based foods. Exercise. Sleep well.

PRAY.

You're nuts to write this in response to a question about health insurance. I just can't even believe you would say this.

Ok...move to another country, delusional fool. Don't fall sick,

[Anonymous]

We used COBRA but honestly that company had an awful high deductible plan to begin with and seemed to barely cover anything.

I was glad when a new job was offered with much better insurance.