Last minute insurance question - deadline is tonight

January 15, 2016 5:11 PM

How do you select a plan when you aren't working now, therefore eligible for Medicaid, but expect to be working in the next few months and will make too much money for Medicaid? (Asking for my adult daughter, who is in Illinois.)
posted by zombies puppet to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

I think she just picks the plan that best fits her needs now and then changes insurance after she starts her job (assuming that's what's going on here). Starting the job will be a qualifying life event w/r/t insurance and she'll be able to get on her employer's plan.
posted by cooker girl at 5:17 PM on January 15, 2016 [3 favorites]

Getting a job will be a "qualifying event" which will allow her to change her insurance selection at that point. Go for what makes sense right now, and reassess when her employment situation changes.
posted by brainmouse at 5:18 PM on January 15, 2016 [2 favorites]

There is no deadline to apply for Medicaid- it can be done year-round.

I'd apply for Medicaid now, if she qualifies now-do it directly on your state's benefits website (google your state+ Medicaid application). In PA, where I help people apply for Medicaid, the application doesn't take too long and the decisions are made relatively quickly, mailed out in 1-2 weeks. They probably will need you to send proof of income and possibly other documents.

Then when she gets a job, she can cancel her Medicaid.
posted by bearette at 5:40 PM on January 15, 2016 [1 favorite]

PS- I wouldn't recommend going though the Marketplace first if you know she qualifies for Medicaid- it's unnecessary and they say they will contact your state's Medicaid agency for you or a final decision but the info often doesn't get there.

Just apply directly for Medicaid. Much faster and more efficient.
posted by bearette at 5:45 PM on January 15, 2016 [1 favorite]

sorry to write again- just realized she has no income now. In that case she should be able to write a letter stating so as proof, and if she is able to get it, a letter from a former employer stating the date where she stopped working there. She should also be able to call and ask,or they will give her instructions once she fills out the application.
posted by bearette at 5:49 PM on January 15, 2016 [1 favorite]

Hi, my job is exactly to help folks with this kind of issue. And I'm actually in Chicago -- so if your daughter lives here and wants further help with this, MeMail me.

Basically the above posters are correct. She can apply for Medicaid and switch over to the Marketplace once her monthly income is higher. The Illinois public benefits application website is here. If her income is 0 and she doesn't share food with anyone she can apply for a Link card at the same time which will supplement her grocery budget. The application should take about 30 minutes to fill out and she'll hear back from Medicaid in about 2-4 weeks.

For the benefit of others reading this - Open Enrollment doesn't actually end until Jan. 31 this year (the 1/15 deadline is for insurance that will begin Feb. 1). I strongly encourage you to look into your options, and to google
"health insurance navigators [your state]" to get free, confidential enrollment assistance if you're feeling overwhelmed by the whole thing. We're from the government and we're here to help! :)
posted by tivalasvegas at 11:35 PM on January 15, 2016 [4 favorites]