Partner lost his job - overwhelmed with what to do for insurance

[riverwed070707]

To be brief, I live with my long-term partner. When I left my FT job in 2021, he was able to put me on his employer-provided insurance as a domestic partner, as well as provide coverage for my 14 year old. He was let go from his job of 5 years on Friday. We'll be fine financially, but I have no idea what to do about insurance. Not even sure when our current coverage ends (I assume end of month since he had already paid for March?). I do not have an option for insurance through my current employment contract. Spent about 45 min this a.m. filling out questions on the ACA site. They are stupid expensive with crummy coverage. I cannot afford a gold plan at $600+ per month. Seems like credits were based on gross income (although phrasing was unclear). My gross annual is approx $90k but my AGI for 2023 was $30k. Are there resources available for helping people figure out what insurance options are available to them? Since my AGI was so low last year, I'm considering seeing if DD qualifies for a state subsidized plan at least until DH finds a new job but my searches on that aren't producing much useful info. Advice?? Resources??

[bjl584]

Did they extend his insurance as part of a severance package?
If not, he should qualify for COBRA or can go to the exchanges

[riverwed070707]

Did they extend his insurance as part of a severance package?
If not, he should qualify for COBRA or can go to the exchanges

They did not. Didn't even pay out his PTO. I assumed if we have to go to the market it would be cheaper (and easier given our situation of not being legally married) to get separate policies. Primary concern is getting DD covered if I can't get on an ACA plan for both of us.

[Fishindude77]

If you are a US citizen, I believe you have the right to pay the insurance premium via COBRA and keep the existing plan for 18 months after termination.

Find a local provider that handles ACA / Obamacare private health insurance and get some quotes on plans, it could be cheaper than staying on COBRA. The deductibles are typically higher and you may no longer have vision or dental coverage but you can still maintain reasonable health insurance. It varies state to state but our costs have gone down considerably on the ACA plan. It's all income based and they started discounting things pretty heavily since Covid, so it's gotten cheaper.

The other option is to get back to work somewhere that provides insurance right away.

[kork13]

I'm not familiar with exactly how it works, but you should at least look into COBRA as an option to consider.

I've also heard of non-insurance cost sharing co-op arrangements ... Again, not familiar with the details, but another option that you could look into & consider.

How long do you expect it will take to get coverage from a new job? Perhaps a basic ACA plan, even though not great, could be adequate as a backstop against anything catastrophic happening until you can all get back on a better insurance plan, through work or otherwise?

[ua_guy]

Following his departure, his company will send required COBRA notices which explain his options for keeping (and paying for) his coverage for a period of time going forward.

COBRA premiums are generally ridiculous...

I'd look into your State's "Department of Health" or whomever administers Medicaid coverage. They will likely be able to point you to a resource for finding and researching ACA exchange plans offered in your state. Many of them offer assistance with signing up.

I'd be very cautious about "non-insurance" and "co-op" arrangements. Sometimes they are better than nothing, but you need to know exactly what those plans will cover, what it won't cover, where, and how much. There are definitely some thinly veiled scams out there.

That sucks that he lost his job. I'm sorry. If receiving unemployment money is an option for him, he should look into it!

[riverwed070707]

The other option is to get back to work somewhere that provides insurance right away.

Sounds simple enough, but because we're not married, not all jobs will cover DD and I on his policy. Depends on the employer and the insurance provider. Me changing jobs right now is not an option.
Will look into someone locally that can help us sort through the ACA mess. It would be really helpful to be able to talk to a human instead of just filling in a vague form online.



How long do you expect it will take to get coverage from a new job? Perhaps a basic ACA plan, even though not great, could be adequate as a backstop against anything catastrophic happening until you can all get back on a better insurance plan, through work or otherwise?

Really not sure. He's a laborer so jobs with benefits are hit or miss, and good insurance is next to impossible to find.


That sucks that he lost his job. I'm sorry. If receiving unemployment money is an option for him, he should look into it!

It really does - mostly because he loved his job and they really pulled some BS over on him. My understanding is that our state is an at-will state and therefore unless we can prove workplace discrimination (against a 40 yr old, hetro, white male) unemployment will be denied. When it first happened, I came out guns blazing with threats of hiring a lawyer for a wrongful termination suit. Talked to several friends in management and they all had the same response - in this state you can fire anyone for any reason or with no reason at all and there is not a process that has to be followed in terms of warnings, performance plans, etc.

[Fishindude77]

[I] Will look into someone locally that can help us sort through the ACA mess. It would be really helpful to be able to talk to a human instead of just filling in a vague form online.

Trying to figure ACA insurance out online is miserable and you will be bombarded with countless emails phone calls and texts from shady providers if you leave your contact info .... ask me how I know?

Usually the same folks that set up Medicare supplemental insurance also set up ACA plans. It's far easier dealing with a human than online.
Call some local insurance companies. Most of them have gotten out of private pay individual health insurance, but should be able to tell you who handles those plans in your area.

[ua_guy]

It really does - mostly because he loved his job and they really pulled some BS over on him. My understanding is that our state is an at-will state and therefore unless we can prove workplace discrimination (against a 40 yr old, hetro, white male) unemployment will be denied. When it first happened, I came out guns blazing with threats of hiring a lawyer for a wrongful termination suit. Talked to several friends in management and they all had the same response - in this state you can fire anyone for any reason or with no reason at all and there is not a process that has to be followed in terms of warnings, performance plans, etc.

I'm in WA state and we are "at will", and if I recall, being terminated doesn't always mean there are no unemployment benefits. It really comes down to if his employer will fight him on benefits if he applies. I don't think anything bad can come from simply applying and seeing where it goes, worst case is they say no. Anyhow, good luck to you both on this adventure...it shall pass, too. I hope he finds something better, and soon!

[scfr]

Maybe try contacting a Navigator to see if they have some ideas? https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/get...ealthcare.gov/


A few years ago I posted about our costs:
https://www.savingadvice.com/forums/...r-56-yo-couple
Fortunately for us, shortly after that post I got a PT job that offers prorated benefits. I now pay approx $900 per month (a bit over half of what the insurance costs) by payroll deduction for medical/dental/vision for DH & me. Even prorated insurance is better than no insurance. It's not a HDHP so I no longer have to plan for a high deductible.

Is marriage an option you'd consider to make it easier for the 3 of you to be on the same plan?

Wishing you good luck getting this sorted out.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

what about your DK dad? Can he take some burden off and put her on his insurance? Change in circumstances

[QuarterMillionMan]

Benefits Overview for US Amazon Employees (Excluding CT, IL, IN, MD, NC, PA, UT, & WI) | Amazon.jobs

Amazon offers day-1 health insurance which could kill 2 birds w/ 1 stone.

[riverwed070707]

what about your DK dad? Can he take some burden off and put her on his insurance? Change in circumstances

Good thought but no. Our decree specifies I'm required to carry her insurance. Also I took him back to court last summer to have the child support order I was paying him removed since I cover all her expenses rather than a 50/50 split we had initially agreed on. We get along, but asking him for financial help isn't an option.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

how did the insurance work out? Of course if your ex could cover your DK and you pay for it that might also count?

[riverwed070707]

how did the insurance work out? Of course if your ex could cover your DK and you pay for it that might also count?

I haven't even had time to look at options. Got the cobra paperwork. It's absurd. Partner got a job but isn't eligible for insurance until 90 days. I'd really like to talk to a navigator as SCFR mentioned but I'm leaving the country for 10 days beginning Monday and I haven't had an hour to myself during business hours to sit down and work on it.. It's no excuse but I'm traveling 20 out of 30 days (some personal, mostly work) and I'm barely keeping my sanity afloat let alone longer term planning!