Insurance Options for Low-Income Families:

If you are having difficulty in purchasing health care insurance for your children, there are several specific programs that have been designed to assist you. Each program will have different requirements, but all are designed to provide health care to the needy and their families.

CHIP or Children's Health Insurance Plan

All fifty states now offer CHIP, which is an insurance alternative for low-income families who are not eligible for Medicaid, or who have been denied health insurance based on a pre-existing condition. The income requirements are generally not to exceed 200% of the federal poverty level, but this may change based on different state regulations.

For more information on CHIP, you can contact your state's insurance program board, or you can visit: http://www.hcfa.gov/init/children.htm for more information.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a free program designed for families who meet income requirements and cannot afford health insurance. This coverage will provide care for eligible children and in some cases entire families. If your income falls under set guidelines, you can be assured of quality health care, at no cost to you.

In addition to health care, Medicaid also provides a prescription drug benefit. This benefit is helpful for patients with conditions that require costly medication on a regular basis. For more information on Medicaid, please visit: http://www.medicare.gov

Individual State Programs

In addition to SCHIP, many states provide different programs for the health care needs of their residents. For example, California offers the Healthy Families Program, Texas offers TexCare, Idaho offers Access Card and the majority of states all have different types of plans available for people who meet eligibility requirements.

For more information on your state's plans, you can visit your individual state's website or contact the insurance board of your state.

State High Risk Pools

For individuals who have pre-existing conditions, most states offer a high risk pool insurance plan. These plans are similar to a group health care plan and offer savings for people who may otherwise not qualify for health insurance. Different states will have different eligibility requirements for the high risk pool, and in some cases, you may need to wait for a new spot to open up before you can join the pool. However, these pools are very useful for people who are not eligible for Medicaid or Medicare, but still need health coverage.

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