Construction workers are an essential part of our society. They help build the infrastructure and homes we live in. However, with the physically demanding nature of their work, construction workers are more prone to injuries and illnesses, making health insurance a necessity. In this article, we will discuss everything construction workers need to know about health insurance, from the importance of having coverage to how to enroll or get short-term insurance.

Why is it essential for construction workers to have health insurance?

Construction workers face a high risk of accidents, injuries, and illnesses, making health insurance coverage essential. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), construction workers have one of the highest injury rates among all occupations. Falls, electrocutions, and being struck by objects are some of the most common types of accidents in the construction industry. In addition, construction workers are also at risk of respiratory diseases, hearing loss, and skin diseases. Health insurance can help protect construction workers from the financial burden of medical bills and treatments. In addition, health insurance can provide access to preventative care, such as annual check-ups and vaccinations, which can help identify and prevent potential health problems before they become more severe.

What is GAP insurance (also known as supplemental insurance) and why is it needed?

GAP insurance, also known as supplemental insurance, is designed to provide additional coverage that goes beyond what traditional health insurance covers. GAP insurance can help pay for out-of-pocket expenses, such as deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance. For construction workers, GAP insurance can be beneficial in covering the high costs of medical treatment that may not be fully covered by traditional health insurance. In addition, GAP insurance can provide peace of mind and financial security in the event of a serious illness or injury.

How does GAP insurance work?

• You can extend your healthcare coverage. Cash benefit to offset your out-of-pocket costs for eligible expenses.
• Cover your deductible costs. Lump-sum cash benefits for accidents and serious illness that can help pay a medical plan’s high deductible.
• Protect your income. Payments go right to you. Use the money for whatever you need, like mortgage payments, credit card payments, car payments, day care, or business costs.

GAP insurance can include:

• Critical illness insurance: Pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specified critical illness, such as life threatening cancer, heart attack, kidney failure, stroke, or coma.
• Accident medical insurance: After the deductible, benefits may cover medical expenses resulting from any covered accident.
• Accidental death and dismemberment: Pays a lump sum for death or certain injuries from a covered accident.

How do you buy self-employed health insurance?

If you are a self-employed construction worker, you can purchase health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Health Insurance Marketplace is a government-run online marketplace where individuals and families can shop for and enroll in health insurance plans. To purchase health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you will need to provide information about your income, family size, and location. You can also compare plans and prices to find the best option for you. In addition to the Health Insurance Marketplace, self-employed construction workers can also purchase health insurance directly from insurance companies or through a broker.

When can construction workers get new health insurance policies?

Construction workers can get new health insurance policies during the open enrollment period. The open enrollment period is a specific period of time each year when individuals can sign  up for or make changes to their health insurance coverage. For Medicare, the open enrollment period is from October 15th to December 7th each year. For individual and family plans, the open enrollment period varies by state and can occur any time between November 1st and January 31st. Outside of the open enrollment period, construction workers can enroll in a new health insurance plan if they experience a qualifying life event, such as getting married, having a baby, or losing their current health insurance coverage.

Affordable Care Act

Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans are typically the most comprehensive on the market, providing coverage for a broad range of health care services, both inpatient and outpatient. If you have a chronic illness or face a medical emergency, these plans can help prevent staggering expenses. If you qualify for an ACA plan, you can’t be denied coverage based on preexisting conditions. Health insurance coverage for construction workers is also available – we’ll show you how to get a quote. Health insurance for construction workers helps keep medical expenses low and requires consistent monthly payments.

ACA plans provide you with affordable health insurance that provides industry-leading coverage, including preventative care and prescription drug assistance, while not denying you based on preexisting conditions. Affordable Care Act plans cover more and can save you money on hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription drugs, and preventative care. They are available to almost everyone, regardless of your health status.

Short-term Insurance

Health insurance for construction companies, and health insurance coverage for construction workers may be available if you can’t afford an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan or have missed the cutoff to apply. Short-term plans do not meet the requirements of the ACA and may not cover all — or any — of your medical needs, so you’ll want to read the plan details carefully before applying. Also worth noting that purchasing short-term health care insurance may make you ineligible for other types of health care coverage including ACA plans and COBRA.

Compared to ACA plans, short-term health insurance typically provides much less coverage. But short-term plans do accept applications year-round, and can help offset costs if you have a medical emergency unrelated to a preexisting condition. If you need medical care and can’t find coverage from another source, you’ll want to look at the details of this particular plan before applying. A number of factors determine which type of healthcare coverage is right for you, including your budget and health concerns.

How can you get short-term insurance?

Short-term insurance, also known as temporary insurance, is designed to provide coverage for a short period of time, usually up to 12 months. Short-term insurance can be a good option for construction workers who are between jobs, waiting for their employer coverage to begin, or looking for coverage while they find a more permanent solution. To get short-term insurance, you can purchase a policy directly from an insurance company or through a broker. Short-term insurance policies are not required to comply with the same regulations as traditional health insurance plans, so it is important to read the policy carefully.

Medical Indemnity Plans

Medical insurance can be confusing and complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Medical indemnity plans cover you in case you get injured on the job. In this example, if you visit the doctor, the plan will give you $50 (the amount of your deductible/maximum amount covered), regardless of the bill for the actual visit. Insurance that pays you a fixed amount for services such as $50 for a doctor visit is sometimes called fee-for-service or indemnity insurance. You can also purchase a medical indemnity plan as your only insurance or as part of an insurance package, but it does not meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Indemnity plans do not cover preexisting conditions and may include per-incident, yearly, and/or lifetime benefit limits.

Indemnity medical plans are a less expensive option for some since you can only be reimbursed for what your doctor actually bills (not what your insurance company decides a service is worth), but other plans may be a better fit. Medical indemnity plans may be the right choice for you and your business. If you want help covering medical costs and expenses, they may be worth a second look. Indemnity plans are a type of Obamacare insurance.

Insurance Costs 

Individual health insurance plan costs vary based on your state. On average, you can expect to pay between $225 and $327 per month for a single person. The cheapest individual health insurance coverage will depend on your household income as you may qualify for a subsidized plan. Without subsidies, you can find plans for as little as $139 per month for a single person. Individual health insurance plans cover everything your employer provided insurance would cover. You can purchase a plan during open enrollment period or during a special enrollment period. Once enrolled, it can take around three weeks for your application to be processed.