How to Apply for Low Income Health Insurance

Health insurance can be expensive. For many low-income individuals and families with children, it can be so expensive that private coverage simply isn’t an option. There are some state and federally funded alternatives to private health insurance, however. Eligibility varies by state, and certain programs are designed only for specific groups of people, such as minorities or people with disabilities. If you do your research, you can find a low-income health insurance program that will work for you and your family.

State Programs

• Visit your state’s Department of Health Care Services or Department of Health and Human Services website. Most states offer low-income health plans for qualified individuals. For example, California offers the Medi-Cal plan, which provides health care services for low income individuals, families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, children in foster care and qualifying individuals with specific diseases like breast cancer and HIV/AIDS. Eligibility and coverage varies by state.

Medicaid

• Apply for Medicaid via the Medicaid website. Medicaid is a program enacted in 1965, funded jointly by state and federal government. Medicaid is available in all states, though certain programs may not be available in every state. Major programs started by Medicaid including the Affordable Care Act of 2010, designed to help low-income individuals and families obtain basic health care, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), created in 1997 to help children not eligible for Medicaid or require additional coverage are available to residents of all 50 states.

Federal Programs

• Check the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health website for federally funded programs that can help low income individuals apply for health insurance or receive aid for medical bills and necessary procedures. The Office of Minority Health can also help you find programs that can help with health problems that low-income health insurance may not cover, like vision and dental care.

Ask Your Employer

• Low-income individuals and families enrolled in employer-sponsored health programs may be paying more than they need to or can afford. If you’re having difficulty paying your insurance premium or the amount of your paycheck deducted for health insurance is causing financial hardship, ask your employer about a low-income plan to see if you are eligible. You may need to speak with your company’s human resources department and fill out some paperwork before you can switch to a low-income plan if you are eligible.

Talk With Your Insurance Provider

• If you already have health insurance but can’t afford the premiums, talk with your insurance company. The company may be able to help you apply for a low-income plan or reduce the monthly cost of your plan by the next billing cycle. Lowering the monthly cost of your health insurance may result in reduced coverage or higher deductibles. Make sure you understand the changes to your plan before you make the switch.