laid off. Now what?

When someone loses their job, they not only lose their income, but a lot of times they also lose their health insurance. If you've been laid off and do not/can not get health insurance through a partner, take these 3 steps to get medical insurance.

1. Start by visiting healthcare.gov. If you live in a state that has its own marketplace, you will be directed there to submit your application.

​2. Fill out the application and make sure to choose "Check for all savings options." Choosing this option is the only way you will get any advance premium tax credit (APTC)* that you qualify for. Making this choice will also allow the Marketplace to see if you qualify for Medicaid and CHIP programs. *The APTC is money that the Marketplace sends directly to the insurer you choose; it helps you pay less in premium each month.

3. Once you've finished your application, you'll be asked to choose a plan. Make sure to consider plans in every metal level (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) before making a decision; do not assume the Bronze level is the most affordable option. If you qualify for "cost sharing reductions", you can get these savings ONLY if you pick a Silver Plan.