Q. I have a serious medical condition, and I would like to change jobs. Is there a way that I can keep my old coverage if my new employer doesn’t offer health insurance? I can’t afford to lose my medical insurance, and I would be denied coverage by insurance companies if I tried to buy it on my own.

A. Starting in 2014, insurers will no longer be able to reject anyone for coverage or charge a higher rate because of a preexisting condition. (A few states, such as New York and New Jersey, already have this requirement.) But several consumer protections already in place can help you keep your coverage through a former employer.