The leading cause of personal bankruptcy is not wasteful spending or reckless investing but unpaid medical bills. That's surprising, but only until you consider that at any moment some 40 million Americans are without health insurance and another 40 million have experienced a gap in coverage in the past two years. With the slow economy, these disturbing numbers are growing as employers cut jobs and benefits. So it pays to know how to get health insurance outside of your employer, if need be, for yourself and your family.
Many of those laid off can maintain coverage for 18 months through their...