Rick was just laid off. He’s 56 and diabetic. He’s also overweight and has high blood pressure. He hopes to find another full-time position with benefits, but he needs immediate and dependable insurance until then.

Given Rick’s poor health, his best option is to continue his former employer’s health coverage through COBRA. His health problems make it impossible for him to get Short Term Medical or an Individual Medical plan.

Since he was laid off, Rick could take advantage of the government COBRA subsidy for nine months, bringing his monthly payment to $150.30,* then he’d have to pay the full amount ($429.42* per month) for his next nine months of COBRA eligibility. If he exhausts all 18 months of COBRA eligibility and still doesn’t have other permanent coverage, he would need to seek help from a state risk pool program or secure Individual Medical insurance in the form of a HIPAA guaranteed-issue plan, depending on his state of residence.

*COBRA premiums derived from the 2008 Kaiser/HRET Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Benefits.

For costs and further details of the coverage, including exclusions for pre-existing conditions, any reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policy may be continued in force, contact Assurant Health.