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 On COBRA? Recently unemployed without health coverage? No longer offered group health coverage by your employer? Consider the options below before you decide to elect COBRA (employers with 20 or more employees) or forgo health coverage.
It's a common belief that continuation coverage under COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) is the only solution for people who have lost the coverage they had under an employer group health plan. COBRA allows people who have lost coverage as a result of certain "qualifying events" to buy health coverage through their former health plan for up to 18 months (and in some cases 36 months). But the premiums can be very high – even with the recently announced 65% subsidy for COBRA premiums that is available to individuals who have lost coverage as a result of an involuntary termination of employment between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009 (part of the federal stimulus bill). The subsidized premium is only available for eligible individuals for up to nine months. After the subsidy ends, you would have to pay the full premium amount to keep your coverage.
In addition, if you develop certain medical conditions during your COBRA coverage and decide to purchase individual health coverage when your COBRA coverage is about to expire you could be declined or charged a higher rate than if you applied for individual coverage before developing these conditions.
Our Carolina Direct plans are guaranteed renewable even if you develop medical conditions after you have been approved for coverage. They provide you with more flexibility at affordable rates.
Other than COBRA, what options do I have?
We offer a variety of plans with different deductible levels – comprehensive major medical plans with and without copays and Kids plans.
- Adult Plans – Offers plan designs that can be tailored to fit individual needs. You may also add dependents. You choose coinsurance, deductible and maximum out-of-pocket expenses. These plans are available with or without a copay.
- Qualified High Deductible Health Plans (QHDHP) – Can be paired with a tax-deductible savings account to cover current and future medical expenses. Any unused savings account dollars roll over to the next year allowing the opportunity to save for future medical expenses.
- Kids Plans - Offers parents the option of purchasing a healthcare plan specifically for their children. This option will cover children through age 22, and includes prescription benefits.
Why consider our individual plans instead of COBRA?
- Gain access to one of South Carolina’s largest networks of doctors and hospitals.
- Enjoy prescription drug coverage, which is included with all plans. Our Adult plans allow you to upgrade to a Copay Prescription Drug Rider.
- Benefit from exceptional customer service and fast claims processing.
- Access our online tools to review benefits and claims, locate a doctor, e-mail customer service and more.
Carolina Care Plan has been offering quality health coverage at competitive prices for more than 25 years. As a part of Medical Mutual of Ohio®, one of the nation’s oldest health insurance companies, Carolina Care Plan enjoys the financial stability that ensures we’ll be around for many years to come.
Ready to apply?
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