Work: Changing Your Job Or Career

A diagnosis complicates, but no longer prevents, you from changing jobs or even careers. 

Until recently, people with a medical condition who get their health insurance through work have frequently ruled out changing jobs for fear of not being able to get new health insurance, or not being able to get it until after a long waiting period because of what is called a "pre-existing condition exclusion" - as well as a fear of being asked about a health history.

The fear of losing health coverage is no longer a problem because of several federal and state laws:

• The Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare") guarantees the right to obtain heath insurance despite a health condition.
• COBRA permits continuation of group coverage for at least 18 months after leaving a job.
• HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996), HIPAA applies to all employers with 2 or more employees.

In order to assure your benefits continue without a gap:

Step 1. Check when your current employer's benefits end.
Step 2. Look at the extent to which a new employer has benefits and when the new benefits begin.
Step 3. Consider what to do if there is a gap in coverage, including how much it will cost you out-of-pocket, and how to pay those costs.

If you do decide to change jobs, it is advisable to try to keep good relations with your current employer. You may need a reference or, as unlikely as it seems now, decide to return to the employer at some time or even just need a favor.

Questions About A Health History

Thanks to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar state laws, a new employer cannot ask about your health history.

Changing Careers

Changing careers is not something to be done lightly. However, as you will see below, if you do decide to change careers, there are government training programs to help you qualify for a different job, or a different level of the job you already do. To make the most of a retraining program, start by finding a field that is hiring people and is likely to grow. New skills don't do any good if no one is looking for them. 

To learn more, see:

• When You Change Jobs, There Does Not Have to Be a Gap in Your Health Insurance   
• How To Review Benefits From Your Current Employer Before You Agree To Change Jobs  
• Tips About Reviewing A New Employer's Benefits Before You Agree To Change Jobs  
  
• Tips For People With A Health History To Consider Before Changing Careers  
  
• Government Programs To Help Learn New Skills    

Also see: Should I Change Jobs Or Even Careers?; Changing Jobs: Impact On Existing Benefits, Seeking New Employment

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