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Drastic Steps To Consider To Get Affordable Health Coverage

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Individual health insurance is available despite a history of a serious health condition, For information about individual policies which are available in your state, see:www.healthcare.gov offsite link.  Insurance is also available through other sources, such as employers. To learn more, see: Health Insurance: How To Obtain.

If none of these alternatives fit for your situation, consider taking drastic steps to get health insurance which include the following ideas. 

If you're single, get married to a person who has health insurance that covers spouses. Check the terms of the coverage first. 

  • How is "marriage" defined? For example:
    • Do the two of you have to live together? 
    • Can "marriage" apply to same sex couples who are legally married in a state which allows gay marriage?
  • Check the terms of the coverage to see if it provides what you need -- including:
    • How long you have to wait, if at all, before your pre-existing health condition is covered.
    • Deductibles 
    • Co-pays
    • Premium. (Coverage for a spouse is more expensive than individual coverage, though generally less expensive than individual coverage times two).
  • How much time you have after getting married during which you must enroll to qualify for the special enrollment period that is provided for newly married people. If you miss the deadline, you may be subjected to a pre-existing condition waiting period.

If you're married or have a significant other, ask him or her to change jobs to get better health coverage. You could be covered under your spouse or significant other's family plan. It may seem like a lot to ask the person closest to you to change jobs just so you can get affordable health insurance, but "just" is a small word for something that can be critically important -- in fact it can save your life. Of course, your spouse shouldn't drop his or her current coverage until the new coverage takes effect. If necessary, to help the person's search for a job with the appropriate benefits, read: How To Find A Job That Provides The Benefits You Need

Move to another state or a country with universal health care. 

Alternatives are to move to a state with insurance you can afford, or even to a country with universal health coverage like England or Canada.

To another state You can learn about the situation in each of the 50 states at: How To Get An Understanding Of The Insurance Situation In Your State. Before you move to another state:

  • Check to be sure where there are any residency requirements to obtain the health insurance you need.
  • Find out how much it will cost to live in the state and check to see whether you can afford it. Include state and local taxes in your calculations.
  • Go to the state and apply for the insurance. For safety, don't complete the move until a policy is issued.

To another country that provides quality, universal health care such as the United Kingdom or Canada. Before actually moving, consider:

  • Whether there are requirements about the amount of time you have to live in the country before health coverage starts.
  • Where you need to live to get the care you may need for your condition.
  • What the requirements are to be able to work in that country, as well as whether there are openings for a person with your skills and experience.
  • How much it costs to live in the country. Include the cost of periodically returning home to visit with friends and famiy, as well as the costs of moving.
  • The social loss and effect on your health caused by moving away from your support team.

To give you an example of what to expect, according to Business Week, Canada has universal health insurance available to everyone who establishes residency. Medication is inexpensive. Almost everyone speaks English. However:

  • Establishing residency can take 3 years.
  • Establishing residency is expensive if you don't have family ties. You can establish residency if you show a net worth of at least $607,000 and invest $304,000 for five years in a non-interest-bearing economic development account or, if you plan to start a business, show net worth of about $228,000.
  • You have to prove business experience 

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