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Insurance Plans for Low-Income Workers

Adequate health care coverage is a major concern among American citizens, particularly those who are struggling to make ends meet. Sometimes the cost of traditional health insurance policies is more than needy families can afford and unfortunately, many U.S. citizens go without the medical attention they need to keep their families healthy. The good news is that if you meet certain eligibility guidelines, you can take advantage insurance plans for low-income workers.

  1. Mini-Medical Insurance

    • The MedHealthInsurance website provides insurance quotes from some of the major insurance companies and suggests that low-income workers ask an insurance broker about lower-cost "mini-medical" insurance plans. Depending on your income and family household size, if you are considered a low-income worker, you may be eligible for this type of coverage and pay far less than you would for traditional HMO and PPO plans. In 2011, MedHealthInsurance says that mini-medical plans may start as low as $50 per month. Such plans cover a predetermined number of doctor's office visits per year, select prescription medications, inpatient benefits and a limited amount of accidental injury insurance.

    Health Savings Accounts

    • "Health Savings Accounts" (HSAs) are an inexpensive alternative to HMOs and PPOs that operate in conjunction with High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs). Such plans are often referred to as "catastrophic health insurance" because most carriers of the plan are responsible for paying any medical expenses that exceed your deductible, sometimes up to $2 million. The deductibles for HSA/HDHPs are substantially higher than those of HMOs and PPOs, but the monthly premiums are considerably lower, making them more affordable -- in theory -- to low-income workers. The major savings for qualified HSA recipients is found in preventative care, as you may take advantage of major discounts on medical expenses by making tax-exempt withdrawals from your account to pay for various treatments such as office visits and prescription medications.

    Children's Health Insurance Program

    • The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides children of low-income households with low cost -- and sometimes free -- health care coverage. CHIP is available nationwide and all low-income children under the age of 19 may be eligible to qualify. Though income guidelines vary by state, in 2011 the typical maximum income for an eligible family of four is $44,100 annually. Types of benefits and premiums also vary by state, however qualifying children in any state are provided with coverage for routine check-ups, dental services, x-rays, lab services, inoculations and hospital admissions. You can apply for CHIP benefits by calling the national hot line to be connected to a representative of your state, apply by mail or online.

    Medicaid

    • In 2011, the National Health Reform law states that anyone with an income that is below 133 percent of the federal poverty level is eligible for Medicaid, regardless of their age. Low-income workers who are eligible for Medicaid will receive similar benefits as citizens over the age 65 who have always been eligible. Typically, Medicaid covers expenses incurred by doctor's office visits, preventative dental care, emergency room visits and basic vision care. Some restrictions may apply to Medicaid recipients over the age of 21. However, most procedures are covered for children and pregnant women of any age.

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