I lost my job and my insurance, what do I do now?

A: Public and private insurance programs may help you stay insured if you lose your job and your health insurance. It's important not to delay a decision because some choices have deadlines. Your choices include:

• Move yourself and family members to a spouse's coverage.
• If your employer stays in business and still offers insurance, you may be able to temporarily continue your same policy under federal (COBRA) or state law. You normally pay the full cost of the insurance policy, and you may be surprised at the amount if your employer has been paying most of the costs.
• Buy a portability policy from the same company that offered insurance to your employer. The company must send you a notice that offers a portability policy. Portability insurance plans may not pay for all of the same medical care as your employer's insurance plan. There are two portability plans, ($750 and $1,500 deductible) so you have a choice of benefits and costs.
• Apply directly to an insurance company for an individual health plan. This can cover you and family members.
• Any family members who are denied coverage can get insurance through a state program called the Oregon Medical Insurance Pool. Lean more at: http://www.omip.state.or.us/. If you lose group coverage and work for a self-insured employer, OMIP also offers portability plans.
• You may be able to purchase short-term medical insurance. Typically, you are limited to buying six months of coverage. This insurance won't cover pre-existing conditions. Ask insurance companies about their plans.
• Public programs that help people with limited incomes are listed on this website.

Can my employer change our health insurance company and the benefits during the year?

A: Yes. Employers don't have to offer health insurance. If they do, they can change companies and benefits at any time. Your employer also has the right to require that you pay a portion of your health insurance premium.

My employer is dropping coverage. What do I do?

A: You have a number of choices. They include:

• Moving yourself and family members to a spouse's coverage.
• Buy a portability policy from the same company that offered insurance to your employer. The company must send you a notice that offers a portability policy.
• Apply directly to an insurance company for an individual health plan. This can cover you and family members.
• If you have a health condition and get turned down for individual insurance, you get coverage though a state program called the Oregon Medical Insurance Pool.

My employer is self-insured and says the business isn't subject to state insurance laws. Is that true?

A: Most self-insured employers do not have to follow state insurance laws. Self-insured means the employer has not purchased insurance from an insurance company. Therefore, the plan doesn't have to cover everything required by Oregon law. Instead, the plan will generally follow federal laws, which are administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. The Affordable Care Act is a federal law and self-insured employers are subject to its requirements.

Follow the appeal procedures outlined in your health plan from your employer.

For help, contact the US Department of Labor at: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra.html
or call 1-866-444-3272.