Consumer Guide: If You are Unemployed or Lost Group Health Insurance

If you no longer have a job or you’ve lost your group health insurance, you have a few options:

• You can use Wisconsin’s continuation law—This is a state law. Certain people, who would otherwise lose their group health insurance coverage, may have the right to keep their coverage for a set time.
• You can use COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act)—This is a federal law. It’s for people who lose health insurance that was part of their employer’s group plan. COBRA allows workers, spouses, and dependents to stay on their former employer’s health plan. This is at their own expense, for a set time.
• You can Buy Health Insurance as an Individual—This includes getting insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
• You can apply for a government insurance program—If You Cannot Afford Health Insurance, you may qualify for low-cost or free health insurance through a government program. Examples include Medicaid and Medicare.