If you do have the option of continuing an existing health plan, but you cannot afford to pay for your share of the premium amount, you may qualify for a waiver which allows you to receive coverage under the Direct Coverage Plan.

  • To qualify for the waiver, your total gross family income must not exceed 150 percent of the current Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG). See chart.
  • To apply for a waiver, you must provide the following:
    • A letter from your health insurance carrier or your employer stating the cost of your monthly premium

*If you do have the option of continuing in an existing health insurance plan through your former employer (COBRA), you can continue this coverage for up to 18 months.

* Please be aware that the Direct Coverage Plan ends when your unemployment insurance benefits end. There is no opportunity to extend Direct Coverage beyond your MSP eligibility. Once you opt out of an existing health plan, you will not be able to re-enroll in your former employer's health plan or COBRA when your Direct Coverage Plan ends. This means that when your unemployment benefits end, your health insurance will end.