FAQs

Can I get health insurance if I'm pregnant?
I lost my job when my employer went bankrupt. Am I eligible for COBRA?
Is my employer legally required to provide workers with health insurance?
If I am unable to obtain health insurance from an employer, what are the options for myself or my family?

Can I get health insurance if I'm pregnant?

Answer:

Realistically…no.

If you fall within Medicaid’s low income guidelines, this could be an option for you.

If you are a college student, your student health center may be able to guide you.

The best situation would be to try to get into a group health plan that will cover your pregnancy — by getting a job that offers employer-sponsored health insurance that provides maternity coverage. This is also true if you are currently on a COBRA policy that will expire before you give birth; unfortunately, you cannot extend COBRA coverage past your maximum even if you are pregnant.

After your baby is born, you can apply for an individual healthcare insurance plan.

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Question:

I lost my job when my employer went bankrupt. Am I eligible for COBRA?

Answer:

When an employer goes out of business, that ends the health insurance pool you were once part of. Therefore, you are unable to collect COBRA. This is also true if your company went bankrupt during your COBRA coverage… your coverage would likewise end.

You must have been covered under an employer's health plan to be eligible for COBRA. If your former employer doesn't offer health insurance, has less than 20 employees, or offers health insurance to only certain groups of employees (to which you don't belong), you won't qualify for COBRA benefits.

If your employer goes bankrupt, you can obtain new health insurance by enrolling in an individual health insurance plan, enrolling in Medicaid if eligible, or joining the Texas High Risk Pool (if unable to get individual coverage due to pre-existing health conditions).

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Question:

Is my employer legally required to provide workers with health insurance?

Answer:

No. There are no state or federal laws that require private U.S. employers to offer health insurance benefits to their employees.

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Question:

If I am unable to obtain health insurance from an employer, what are the options for myself or my family?

Answer:

If you can't get group coverage anywhere, the best viable option is an individual health insurance plan, available here on HealthSurant.

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