Answer 8: B
Short-term health plans are not Affordable Care Act plans. They can turn you down or refuse to pay for conditions you had before, cap how much they pay, and leave out services such as prescription drugs, mental health care or maternity care. They are often sold with fast online approvals that make the gaps easy to miss.
If you choose one anyway, read the full policy, not the ad, and check what happens if you get sick near the end of the term. In many cases, a Marketplace plan with premium help costs less than people expect after a job loss.
Your score
- 7 or 8 correct: Ready for anything. You know the deadlines most people miss. Pass this on to a friend who was just laid off.
- 4 to 6 correct: Solid start. Double-check the COBRA-to-Marketplace rule and the 30-day spouse deadline; those are the costly ones.
- 0 to 3 correct: Totally normal. These rules are confusing, and most people only learn them in a crisis. The guides below walk you through each step.
Your first-week checklist after a job loss
- Write down the exact date your coverage ends.
- Check whether you can join a spouse’s or parent’s plan, and note the 30-day deadline.
- Get a Marketplace quote using your realistic income for the year.
- Check Medicaid if your income has dropped sharply.
- Compare those prices with your COBRA notice before you elect COBRA.
Keep reading
- You Lost Your Job. The Next 60 Days Decide Your Health Coverage for the Rest of the Year
- COBRA Health Insurance Is a Financial Shock: 3 Better Ways to Stay Covered
- How to Keep Your Health Coverage If You Retire Early (Ages 55 to 64)
This quiz is general information, not legal, tax or insurance advice. Rules vary by state and plan; confirm details with HealthCare.gov, your state Medicaid agency, your plan or a licensed professional.