Many children, families and adults qualify for free- or low-cost
health insurance, and they don't even know it! Your ability to
get these state- and federally-sponsored medical programs is
usually based on the size of your family and your income.
These programs vary state-by-state, so it's important to check
with your local government offices. However, many of the plans
share similar qualifiers. Some groups of people that commonly
qualify for low- or no-cost health coverage include:
1. Children and young adults under 19 years of age. Youth
programs are common throughout the United States, and often
include dental, vision and mental health or substance abuse
counseling in addition to basic medical coverage. 2. Pregnant
women. Available through Medicaid - and often through state
departments of health - you can qualify depending on your income
and family size. 3. Seniors 65 years of age and over. People in
this category are usually covered by Medicare, a health
insurance program of the federal government. 4. Disabled People.
If you're permanently disabled, there's a good chance you can
qualify for Medicare.
5. Immigrants Needing Emergency Care. If you have a medical
emergency, you might be eligible for a state-funded Alien
Emergency Medical Program (AEM) which can pay for your emergency
care. To be eligible for most states' AEMs, you must be low
income, have an emergency medical condition, and be: under 18,
or have dependent children, or be older than 64, or disabled, or
pregnant. In addition, many states and sometimes the federal
government will cover your costs for specific medical procedures
and/or services. These programs are often partnerships between
state health departments and national organizations like the
Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. These services might
include things like: 1. Mammograms 2. Pap Smears 3. End-Stage
Renal Disease 4. Birth Control As we've said before, programs
like these vary state-by-state, so it's important to check with
your state or local health department.
About the author:
Kurt Stammberger is VP, Marketing at Healthia Inc. Healthia
provides integrated comparison-shopping information on
health care products and
services, doctors and health insurance plans to empower the
drive towards Consumer-Driven Health Care.
