If you are working, your employer may offer health coverage to you, your spouse, or your children. This is known as employer-sponsored health coverage. With employer-sponsored coverage, you automatically qualify for health benefits and your employer pays some or all of the monthly premium. For more information on employer-sponsored health coverage, see DB101’s Private Health Coverage article.
If your employer or former employer no longer gives you health care coverage because you were laid off, you quit, or your hours were reduced, there is a federal law called COBRA that may allow you to purchase the coverage you and your family had through your employer for 18 to 36 months. Minnesota state law also may allow you to purchase this coverage, which is called “continuation coverage.” It is important to note that you will have to pay the entire premium for continuation coverage, including any amount that your employer paid in the past.
There are also a few options for other health care coverage that you should explore.
