Understanding COBRA Insurance Coverage in West Virginia
While the federal COBRA law applies to employers with 20 or more employees, West Virginia’s mini-COBRA law applies to employers with between 2 and 19 employees. Additionally, the mini-COBRA law provides individuals with up to 12 months of continuation coverage, compared to 18 or 36 months under the federal COBRA law, depending on the qualifying event.
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Continuing Health Insurance Coverage In West Virginia
Please choose:
No Pre-Existing Conditions
Term Medical Gap Coverage
Available in some states, as low as $44/month
Coverage For
Pre-Existing Conditions
$400 – 700/month per individual
Medicare
Nearing Retirement Age
Learn about Medicare Advantage
West Virginia’s Mini-COBRA Law
West Virginia has a mini-COBRA law, which provides workers and their dependents the right to continue their employer-sponsored health coverage for a limited period of time after experiencing a qualifying event, such as job loss or reduction in work hours. The state law applies to employers with between 2 and 19 employees, whereas the federal COBRA law applies to employers with 20 or more employees.
The mini-COBRA law provides individuals with up to 12 months of continuation coverage, compared to 18 or 36 months under the federal COBRA law, depending on the qualifying event.
Like the federal COBRA law, West Virginia’s mini-COBRA law requires individuals to pay the full premium, including the portion previously paid by the employer, in order to continue their coverage.
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Getting Coverage For Pre-Existing Conditions In West Virginia
If you live in West Virginia and your employer-provided health insurance stops, you may be eligible to enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The Marketplace offers a range of coverage options, including different levels of deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums, which can help you choose a plan that meets your unique healthcare needs and budget. Depending on your income and family size, you may also qualify for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, which can lower the monthly cost of your insurance and reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for medical care.
Alternatively, you may be able to enroll in COBRA coverage, which provides a continuation of the same group health insurance policy that was offered by your employer for a limited period of time. However, you will be responsible for paying the full premium, including the portion previously paid by your employer.
Marketplace / Obamacare
Sometimes state and federal subsidies help offset the premium for individual marketplace insurance.
A loss of work health insurance is a qualifying event to find new healthcare through the public healthcare exchange.
In 2023, the average ACA health plan premium in West Virginia is $822/month per individual, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
You May Qualify For A Subsidy
Apply For COBRA
Employer Has 20+ Employees
As an employee, you may continue your most recent work health insurance for up to 18 months. Family members may access the plan for up to 36 months.
You sign up for COBRA with your former employer or their third party.
The premium will be $400 – 700 / month, per insured person.
Short-Term Health Insurance in West Virginia: A Stopgap Measure
West Virginia allows for short-term medical and accident insurance while in between jobs. Short-term health insurance is a type of temporary coverage that is designed to provide medical benefits for a limited period of time, typically up to 12 months. It is often used as a stopgap measure for individuals who are between jobs or waiting for other health insurance coverage to begin.
Short Term Medical Insurance: New Illnesses & Injury Coverage
Plans begin at $80/month.
Based on age and state availability
The FlexTerm Health Insurance plan provides health insurance coverage to help protect you from the medical bills that can result from newly unexpected Injuries and Sickness.
Accident Only Insurance with Telehealth
Pre-existing Conditions Do Not Exclude You From Accident Only Coverage
Plans start at $44/month.
Based on age and state availability
Accidents happen, and the last thing you want to worry about is who or how the bills are going to get paid. With this plan, you can focus on getting care. CAM helps you and your family with the high cost of healthcare resulting from injury or accidents.
Includes Telehealth giving you access to prescribing doctors for common issues.
Limited Indemnity with Telehealth
access to prescribing doctors for common issues.
Core Health Insurance provides guaranteed acceptance Limited Indemnity Medical coverage for your basic medical needs, helping to provide a medical option for people who do not have the luxury of being covered by a comprehensive health insurance plan.
Medicare
After your workplace insurance ends, you’ll sign up for Medicare within 8 months.
In general, you can sign up for Part A and Part B starting three months before your 65th birthday and ending three months after your 65th birthday.
Learn more about Medicare deadlines and how Medicare Advantage plans can replace original Medicare at no cost to you.
COBRA Is Available in All 50 States
Employee continuation of health insurance coverage is not required in all states. When a state lacks laws governing the continuation of work-related medical benefits, the federal COBRA Act protects these rights. Find out more about your state.
Remain Insured
Accident Only plans start at $44/mo
Short-Term Medical low as $80/mo
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877-262-7241
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