Does missing work affect my health insurance?

It can. Many people have employment-based health insurance, which means their employer pays part or all of the premium. The National Cancer Institute explains that not being able to work may affect this kind of insurance.

Because cancer treatment can make it hard to do your job, you may miss time at work or need extended leave, and that can have an impact on coverage tied to your job. This is one reason it helps to plan ahead if you think you may need time off.

A good step is to ask your employer's human resources department how your plan works and what happens if you take leave. A hospital social worker can also help you understand your options and find support. This is general educational information, not legal or financial advice, so the people who manage your specific plan are the best source for details about your coverage.