Layoffs are common during a recession, and for many workers, that means scrambling to find a source of health coverage between jobs. Health insurance can be very costly for some families, and this becomes more noticeable than ever when a company health insurance benefit suddenly ends or when regular income drops significantly. Fortunately, there's legislation in place to help workers find health coverage between jobs, and even when using this legislation isn't an option, workers who lose their jobs through layoffs can often find a low health insurance quote for great temporary coverage.

Workers should consider health insurance through COBRA after a layoff. COBRA is a federal act that makes health coverage between jobs easier by giving workers the opportunity to pay for their old health insurance policies at a discounted rate until they're able to find another job. In some cases, COBRA protection can last for years and can mean a greatly discounted health insurance premium. Immediately after a layoff, a health insurance policy buyer should ask their former employer about COBRA, although it's still possible to apply for health insurance coverage through this act months after an layoff if necessary. Still, it's best to avoid a lapse in coverage whenever possible.

Some businesses are too small for COBRA protection to take effect. When this is the case, laid-off employees should try to find cheap health insurance quotes. Lowering a health insurance quote usually means sacrificing coverage, but this isn't necessarily a bad idea when buying a temporary policy. By raising co-payments or coinsurance percentages, policy holders can drastically decrease their insurance premiums. The disadvantage of this tactic, of course, is that less coverage means less protection–a serious illness could lead to serious financial issues. Even when a health insurance policy's coverage is restored, it may take several months for changes to take effect, so it's important to avoid lowering coverage too drastically. Policy holders should carefully consider all aspects of their insurance coverage to find ways to lower their costs without leaving themselves or their families at a high risk. Even so, a temporary drop in coverage can be reasonable for workers who are between jobs.

When buying health insurance, it's important to look at several insurance quotes and to carefully compare the coverage offered by different insurance providers. Comparing quotes online can be a great way to accurately determine what a policy should cost and to lock in the best possible price. By comparing quotes and by taking advantage of the COBRA act whenever possible, workers can stay insured after a layoff and avoid the potential ramifications of a lapse in coverage.