If a person has been part of a layoff, one of the benefits he will lose once his job expires is health insurance coverage. According to experts, it is crucial that the necessary steps be taken to get new coverage. With this in mind, health insurance laws offer many helps to those who have been laid off. For instance, they may seek continued coverage on COBRA, which allows them to continue to receive coverage on their previous employer's plan. The downside is that they have to pay the full rate for coverage, which can be prohibitively expensive. A victim of a layoff may also seek a private plan via the help of their state insurance commissioner's office. This office can help to spell out the rates, policies, penalties, and any past problems with various health insurance companies. In searching for a new plan, the person must also determine their own needs and their family's needs.