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So You're Laid Off and Sick. Now What?

Posted Nov 19, 2008 06:35pm EST by Sarah Lacy in Investing, Healthcare Information, Internet, Recession
Related: ^ixic, ehth, aet, ci

Unemployment gained 0.4% in October to reach 6.5%. For every percentage point that goes up 1.1 million people lose health insurance. That can add up to a drain on already strapped consumers. In fact, half of Americans filing for bankruptcy were driven to it because of soaring healthcare costs and no insurance.

Albeit making a plug for his company, eHealth CEO Gary Lauer points out research shows individual health insurance policies are a lot cheaper than COBRA -- and a lot cheaper overall than most people think. On average, individuals pay just $158 a month, according to data from eHealth, an online health insurance broker.

The bigger surprise: You can get a better deal on your own than your employer can. Lauer explains and offers helpful health-insurance tips during these uncertain employment times.

Plus, click here for part one of my discussion with Lauer on eHealth’s business model and why it might be more recession-proof than other e-Commerce sites experiencing weakness.

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