If you were forced to file bankruptcy due to medical bills but you have the ability to work and live a normal life going forward, it is important for you to assess the gaps in your medical coverage and look for ways to close them.
If you did not and still do not have health insurance, you should research available health insurance policies or apply for insurance with your employer, if offered, at the next enrollment date. Employer provided insurance is usually cheaper than purchasing an individual policy. If you are self-employed or your company does not offer health insurance, speak to an insurance agent about purchasing an individual health insurance policy.
If you have a pre-existing condition, many insurance companies will refuse to underwrite a health insurance policy for you; however, many states offer a high risk insurance pool for which you can apply if you are denied individual coverage by health insurance companies. Even a catastrophic health insurance policy can prevent you from reaching a bankruptcy situation again.
If you have a choice of individual insurance options, the insurance policy with a higher deductible and out-of-pocket maximum we usually be the cheaper of the plans. If the high deductible plan is all you can afford, consider establishing a health saving account in which you can deposit additional funds to withdraw for future medical expenses. If your employer offers a high deductible insurance plan and a health saving account, your portion of the insurance costs and the health spending account contributions are pretax deductions from your payroll checks as long as your employer maintains a cafeteria plan.
If none of the options mentioned so far are viable for you, check professional organizations in your area to see if any of them offer health insurance for members. Often health insurance purchased through an organization is a lower-cost than an individual policy all though if you did not have prior health insurance coverage, the new insurance company may deny a pre-existing conditions permanently or for a fixed period such as a year, but can ultimately help you avoid a financial disaster.