Health Insurance Between Law School and Job? Forum

[Puttanesca]

I just graduated from law school, and my job will not start until January 2015 at the earliest. My heath insurance that I got through the school ends this summer, so I won't have insurance between then and when I start working. Any suggestions on some sort of temporary/short-term insurance plan? Or any other options? Thanks.

[sconnielaw13]

Yes, buy private health insurance. If you are under 26, go on your parents health insurance. If you are over 26 just buy a basic plan. I did the same thing for a few months and the monthly payment was about $100. If you qualify for some sort of state plan, then try that. However, getting on a plan for low income people can be a little bit more involved than just buying a private plan. See what is available on healthcare.gov.

[Puttanesca]

Yes, buy private health insurance. If you are under 26, go on your parents health insurance. If you are over 26 just buy a basic plan. I did the same thing for a few months and the monthly payment was about $100. If you qualify for some sort of state plan, then try that. However, getting on a plan for low income people can be a little bit more involved than just buying a private plan. See what is available on healthcare.gov.

Thanks for the advice. I will look into buying private health insurance. I don't have any medical problems so I think a basic plan like you mentioned will do.

[sap]

Your school will also generally be able to direct you to a "gap" insurance provider, i.e. an insurance provider that has plans with a price/service structure designed for temporary use. I'm not sure about what is cheaper since I've yet to need it, but it might be worth looking into.

[Puttanesca]

Your school will also generally be able to direct you to a "gap" insurance provider, i.e. an insurance provider that has plans with a price/service structure designed for temporary use. I'm not sure about what is cheaper since I've yet to need it, but it might be worth looking into.

Thanks. My school used to have a continuing temporary coverage program for up to 6 months, but that was discontinued last year. I will check with the school though to see whether they have any suggestions on temporary insurance.

[BVest]

Your school will also generally be able to direct you to a "gap" insurance provider, i.e. an insurance provider that has plans with a price/service structure designed for temporary use. I'm not sure about what is cheaper since I've yet to need it, but it might be worth looking into.

Thanks. My school used to have a continuing temporary coverage program for up to 6 months, but that was discontinued last year. I will check with the school though to see whether they have any suggestions on temporary insurance.

I suspect the reason it was canceled was Obamacare (in a good way, not a bad one). Prior to Jan 1, adults with pre-existing conditions had no assurance that they would be able to buy insurance on the individual market, therefore the school had to offer an extension on group coverage for graduating students to bridge the time between graduation and employment. Now, however, you cannot be denied individual coverage, so there's no need to incur the administrative costs of offering continuation coverage. So the best bet (and what they're going to tell you) is to start with the exchanges.

ETA: If your school coverage is like mine (Academic Health Plans BCBS Tx plan), you won't be losing too much by having to switch mid year. Unlike most (non-academic) plans, my plan's insurance year is July-June, not the calendar year. So losing my plan in June doesn't mean that I lose any paid out deductible or out-of-pocket cap for the year, since my deductible would be resetting on July 1 anyway.

[Puttanesca]

I suspect the reason it was canceled was Obamacare (in a good way, not a bad one). Prior to Jan 1, adults with pre-existing conditions had no assurance that they would be able to buy insurance on the individual market, therefore the school had to offer an extension on group coverage for graduating students to bridge the time between graduation and employment. Now, however, you cannot be denied individual coverage, so there's no need to incur the administrative costs of offering continuation coverage. So the best bet (and what they're going to tell you) is to start with the exchanges.

ETA: If your school coverage is like mine (Academic Health Plans BCBS Tx plan), you won't be losing too much by having to switch mid year. Unlike most (non-academic) plans, my plan's insurance year is July-June, not the calendar year. So losing my plan in June doesn't mean that I lose any paid out deductible or out-of-pocket cap for the year, since my deductible would be resetting on July 1 anyway.

Thanks, BVest. I will look into the exchanges. Ideally, I'd like to be able to get a job that starts in August (when my health insurance ends) that provides coverage options, but I know it's going to be difficult to do that since I would have to tell the employer I plan on quitting in December. I might only get hired as a temp, in which case I likely wouldn't get health benefits.

[transferror]

Are you single? Was your income (AGI) for the year less than 11k? Do you live in a state that passed the federal medicaid expansion?

If the answer to all 3 is yes, you should qualify for medicaid and it will be your cheapest option.

[Puttanesca]

Are you single? Was your income (AGI) for the year less than 11k? Do you live in a state that passed the federal medicaid expansion?

If the answer to all 3 is yes, you should qualify for medicaid and it will be your cheapest option.

I don't think my state passed the federal medicaid expansion, so I am out of luck there. Good idea though!

[PDaddy]

Will the university from which you are graduating law school allow non-matriculated students to enroll in its health plan? If so, why not take a few courses and stay on that plan? Or you could look for a T.A.'s position or a research assistant position. Those can be temporary and can make you benefits-eligible at the university.

[Puttanesca]

Will the university from which you are graduating law school allow non-matriculated students to enroll in its health plan? If so, why not take a few courses and stay on that plan? Or you could look for a T.A.'s position or a research assistant position. Those can be temporary and can make you benefits-eligible at the university.

As far as I know, only matriculated students can enroll in the health plan. I will see if the school has any temporary positions that are benefits eligible.