Read Me: This is written from the perspective of an enthusiast and lay-person. This is all evidence collected from primary sources. Please consult a healthcare administrator, licensed health insurance agent, your primary care provider, or your local community clinic for resources specific to your situation. I am simply a technology venture capitalist, investor in health technology, board director of a clinical practice and telemedicine platform, and concerned citizen. -Kanyi Maqubela

Updated for 04/09/20

6.6 million people applied for unemployment insurance (UI) last week. 6.9 million people applied the week before. That number is 2x higher than the previous record for unemployment claims in a week–– the 3 million the week before that. The COVID-19 crisis is of a magnitude and intensity we haven't seen in this country in a generation. It's important to note: applied for UI does not mean "were unemployed". There are plenty of gig workers –– Uber drivers, freelancers, contractors –– people who don't know about unemployment insurance, people who got discouraged by what we are hearing are very long wait times on the phone and crashing websites, or simply weren't eligible.

In my humble opinion, the most important implication of this newfound employment shock is: in a country where so much health insurance is tied to employers: where will 10 (to 40) million people get healthcare? If this job loss weren't because of a pandemic, I reckon this would be the #1 priority. Now, it is the #0 priority. So what to do (right now) if you are one of these people?

What to do if I lose my job and need health insurance?

You have three options:

• Medicaid Established in 1965 under President L.B. Johnson, this is government sponsored healthcare, focused on supporting Americans who make less (depends on the state, but typically <$17,000 per individual, or $32,000 per household). This is very comprehensive coverage, and will give you access to dental, vision, and speciality services. If you are eligible for this, it is by far the best option if you are jobless.
• **COBRA** (Continuation of health coverage) Established in 1986 under President Reagan, this program mandates that insurers provide 18 months of continuing coverage for customers who have been covered by an employer-sponsored plan. So, if you get insurance from work, you can continue to. The rub here, is you have to pay the entire premium. e.g. If you were paying $200/month and your employer was paying $1000/month, you'll now be paying $1200/month.
• ACA insurance marketplace Established in 2010 under President Obama, this program creates an exchange for individuals to purchase health insurance directly online. Typically, you can buy your ACA insurance policy during Open Enrollment, which runs from October through January. If you have lost coverage due to losing your job, however, there is a Special Enrollment available year-round which allows you to sign up for a new policy.

With ACA insurance, you can get tax credits and subsidized coverage depending on your financial situation. Unfortunately, the healthcare.gov website is famously not the most user-friendly interface out there. (See below.) But there are good resources for making this process more legible.

It's painful, trust me.

I am biased, but I really love what Catch has created. It has a broker for health exchange. But it also bundles tax-withholding, retirement savings, and other critical financial resources for consumers directly, so they can get the infrastructure that is typically provided by employers. catch.co/benefits/health