Do You Need Affordable Health Insurance For Yourself And Your Family?
Do You Need Health Insurance?
Some of the most common questions that Americans have today center around finding affordable major medical insurance for themselves and their family. Yes, we do hear the exclamation, “Help, I need health insurance!“. Then we usually shoot back with, “what type of health insurance are you looking for?” Sometimes the solutions are very easy to find, and sometimes they take some work to dig up.
First, consider your own individual situation.You own best choice will depend upon your own individual circumstances. Considering these, and then taking action, will serve you better than sending us your concerns, though we do hear you when you do!
Help With Health Insurance
Do you have a job with group medical benefits? If so, that may be the simplest and most affordable solution. Many employers, who go to the trouble to provide group medical benefits, also pick up part of the tab. Federal law also protects employees, so group plans cannot cherry pick and exclude people with pre-existing health issues.
Many group plans also cover things that many private insurance plans do not cover. For example, it may be easier to find maternity insurance if you have employer based coverage than if you need to by an individual plan. That is probably true if your employer actually provides major medical. Some employers are switching to mini-med plans, to save money, and that may not be true.
Are you self employed, out of work, or working without group health insurance? If you do have an income, your first step will probably be to explore private health insurance companies. Every local area has several competing plans on the market. Finding individual health insurance is not the problem. Finding a plan you can afford, and that will help you get simple access to medical providers might be!
Have you been declined for private insurance? Yes, companies that sell individual major medical have the right to decline applicants. They can also accept some applicants, but charge them more because of a pre-existing health issue. If you have been declined, it is time to explore the high risk health plan options in your state. You may start by contacting your own state insurance department to explore your solutions. If an agent helped you apply for the policy, that you were declined for, he or she should also be willing to help you.
Can you afford health insurance? Is your question really, “Help, I cannot afford health insurance?” Here’s the big question. If you do not have inexpensive group benefits, and especially if you fall into a risk category that makes you hard to insure, your premiums can still be expensive. If your first shopping expedition turns up really high prices, consider the following solutions.
- CHIPS is the federal and state joint effort to insure minors of families with low to moderate income. Each state has their own program, but a quick search on the Internet should reveal the official web page where you can learn more and apply online. This program also covers pregnant women with low to moderate incomes. Income requirements will vary by state and family size.
- Medicaid is the federal and state program that covers the very poor. It is much tougher for adults to qualify for this program than it is for kids to qualify for CHIPS though.
- Many counties have hospital system programs that provide coverage based upon a sliding scales. Search for county hospital systems in your local area.
- Look for federal, state, county, or private low income clinics that can provide health care. You may be able to find medical, dental, hearing, and vision services at reduced rates. You may also be able to get your prescription costs reduced. One very good resource is the website at http://www.pparx.org/. You can get help with health costs there by using the handy zip code and drug company searches. The list all sorts of resources from drug companies that help people pay for medicine to foundations that help people with different illnesses. You can also call, toll free, at: 1-888-4ppa-now.