Living without health insurance is a scary idea. Medical bills can quickly add up and you might end in serious financial trouble if you don't have insurance to help you cover the expenses. If you applied for health insurance coverage and were denied, there's no need to despair as there are a number of options available to help you cope.
Step 1
Find out why you've been denied. The most common reasons are preexisting medical conditions, high-risk activities or lifestyle, being obese or being what the company considers a high-risk individual. Knowing the reasons can give you the chance to fix it if possible (like losing weight if you're obese), so you can reapply.
Step 2
Try a different company. Just because you've been denied by one doesn't mean others would do the same. Companies have different standards, health questionnaires and pre-enrollment requirements, so you could find one that covers your specific case.
Step 3
Look into health insurance risk pool. These are state-run policies that would likely accept anybody who's been denied other types of insurance. These policies have a long list of requirements in order to qualify. For example, you have to wait at least 132 months from the time you were last enrolled in a high-risk pool, you cannot be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare, and there's a limited number of people who can be accepted per state. A waiting period (averaging six to eighteen months, depending on the state) is sometimes required from the time of sign in.
Step 4
Consider limited benefits or discount plans. These usually don't cover large amounts or serious illness or injury, but they will help you pay for standard doctor visits and ongoing care. Limited benefit plans are not required to offer specific benefits or to follow certain standards. For example, one company may cover mammograms, while others may not.
Step 5
Enroll in short-term insurance. Also known as temporary insurance or short-term medical, these plans let you enroll for a period of time (usually up to a maximum of 36 months, according to Insure.com). Many allow renewals, while others do not. These policies are ideal if you're unemployed, traveling or in transition since they don't have any pre-enrollment requirements. Some might cover preexisting conditions, but they are unlikely to offer vision or dental coverage.
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