Arizona Affordable Low-cost Health Insurance

The cost of health insurance increases yearly and can consume a large portion of a family's budget. Though the federal government offers Medicare and Medicaid health insurance programs that extend health benefits to certain elderly and low-income individuals, many citizens do not qualify for these programs. Residents in the state of Arizona have access to several affordable health insurance options, as well as the Arizona Department of Insurance, which can help residents compare health insurance options.

Women

• The Baby Arizona Program and the Well Woman Health Check Program provide health coverage to pregnant women and infants under one year old, as well as routine female health screenings and financial support for women with breast cancer. Both programs extend coverage for pre-existing conditions. To qualify for the Baby Arizona Program, women must have incomes at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Eligibility for the Well Woman Health Check Program is more lenient, allowing for an income of up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level.

Families with Children

• Families with children under age 19 can apply for health insurance from the Arizona KidsCare Program. Both parents and children can qualify for coverage at reduced premiums of between $10 and $35 per month, as of 2011. The state will not disqualify any family or child based on pre-existing conditions. To qualify for KidsCare, the family's household income must fall below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and the family must be ineligible for Arizona no-cost Medicaid.

Private Health Insurance

• Families and individuals with too much income to qualify for government-based benefits must purchase health coverage on the private market. Typically, employer-based insurance options offer expanded coverage options with reduced premiums and lower deductibles than individually-purchased health insurance policies. However, families and individuals without access to affordable insurance through an employer can find reputable insurance companies and compare rates using the services of the Arizona Department of Insurance.

Pre-existing Conditions

• Uninsured individuals with pre-existing conditions may have difficulty finding affordable health insurance policies that cover their medical expenses. For this reason, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System created the Medical Expense Deduction Program that provides health insurance for families and individuals with high medical expenses. The insurance is free to those who qualify. The state determines eligibility based on a combination of income, assets, medical expenses and household size.

  Residents who do not qualify for free health coverage under the Medical Expense Deduction Program can purchase a pre-existing condition insurance plan, PCIP, from the federal PCIP pool available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Income is not a factor in qualifying for a PCIP, and policy holders do not pay higher premiums because of their pre-existing medical conditions.

Affordable Care Act

• In 2010, the Affordable Care Act became law. By 2014, the government will require that all Americans either carry health insurance, or face a yearly penalty. Because of the rising cost of health insurance, the law includes a tax credit for middle class families intended to alleviate the burden of paying private health insurance premiums. The credit will be offered to families with incomes between 133 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Additionally, beginning in 2014, no one will be denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition, eventually eliminating the need for the federal PCIP.