3 Things to Do if You Lost a Job & Health Insurance

COSTA MESA, Calif. - June 4, 2020 - PRLog -- 1. Update Your Resume
The good news is that many companies are withstanding the restrictions the pandemic is placing on people's activities. In addition to scores of essential jobs, there are virtual positions available now that used to be performed in an office environment. Visit popular job sites like Indeed, Zip Recruiter and Glassdoor.

2. Get Health Insurance
We have one bit of sage advice for you: Buy your own health insurance now. Don't wait until you get another job because you don't know when that will be. Buy your health coverage (https://smartfinancial.com/health-insurance) and negotiate for more pay when you do land a job. You can do this because you won't be buying health insurance through the company.

It's crazy these days with job scarcity and job uncertainty. Sometimes it's best to keep your private life separate from work. Some people opt to buy their own health insurance, even when it's offered by an employer. Many do this to keep their medical situation private. There are all sorts of pros to having your health insurance not tied to work. For one thing, you can stay with the same doctors for as long as you like without having to find new doctors each time you change jobs and insurance companies.

You don't have to wait for Open Enrollment to buy health insurance either. If you lost a job, that's considered a Qualifying Event, which means that you can buy health insurance today. It's always best to compare quotes to see what rates are available in your area. Compare coverages too. Most Americans buy a silver-tier plan but pick a plan based on how often you see a doctor. If you have any pre-existing conditions that require a specialist and several visits a year consider a gold or platinum plan. Also, consider how many medications you take, if any. These factors will make a big difference in terms of which coverage will save you more money in the long run. For one thing, you may save money with a plan that costs more each month but covers more services. Make sure you're comparing apples to apples, by knowing how to choose the right health insurance plan (https://smartfinancial.com/Choosing-a-Health-Insurance-Co...).

3. Pay Mortgage and Rent
Federal regulators are requiring that mortgage lenders allow homeowners some flexibility in making payments. In most states, there is a freeze on evictions. While these protective measures may not prevent you from accruing payments that you'll need to make at a later date, at least you will have a safe place to stay while you get back on your feet.