While consumers search for affordable health insurance, they have a price as the top priority in their minds. A common belief among consumers is that affordable health plans don’t have to be expensive – they aim for the cheapest health plan available in the market. However, this approach is not a good one. Sometimes, not getting the required level of coverage even when paying for a cheap health insurance plan is just a waste of money.
With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, access to affordable health plans is bound to increase. Or at least, that’s what health reforms are supposed to aim for. However, a lot of consumers are still confused about how things will work. In this article, we will discuss some detailed options that consumers can try to buy affordable health plans.
To get their hands on affordable health insurance plans, consumers need to keep a few things in mind. The first of them is about knowing the options in the particular situation of residence. There are a number of state and federal government-run programs that may be suitable for consumers. Knowing the options is very important. After this one has to understand the terms and conditions of all the programs and check the eligibility criteria for each of them. In addition, consumers should be aware of their entitlements after the implementation of health reforms, and within a few days, they may qualify for a particular program or be allowed to take advantage of a particular health insurance plan. can. If consumers take care of these steps, there’s no reason why consumers can’t land on an affordable health plan that can cover their medical care needs.
Let us discuss some of the options related to affordable health insurance plans state-wise:
State-run Affaordable Health Insurance Programs in California
Considering California, there are three affordable health insurance plans that are run by the state government. Consumers can definitely take advantage of these if they are eligible for the benefits.
Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP)
This program is a very useful program providing limited health benefits to residents of California. If consumers are unable to purchase health plans due to a pre-existing medical condition, they can check to see if they qualify for the program and receive benefits.
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Healthy Family Program
The Healthy Families Program provides low-cost health, dental, and vision coverage to Californians. This is mainly for children whose parents earn too much to be eligible for public assistance. This program is administered by MRMIP.
Accessibility Program for Infants and Mothers (AIM)
The Access for Infants and Mothers Program provides prenatal and preventive care for low-income pregnant women in California. It is administered by a five-person board that has established a comprehensive benefits package that includes both inpatient and outpatient care for program enrollment.
Some Facts About Affordable Health Insurance in Florida
Talking about affordable health insurance options in Florida, consumers can think about the following options:
- Floridians who have lost employer’s group health insurance may qualify for COBRA continuation coverage in Florida. At the same time, Floridians who lost group health insurance due to involuntary termination of employment that occurred between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009, may qualify for a federal tax credit. This credit helps pay COBRA or state continuation coverage premiums for up to nine months.
- Floridians who haven’t been insured for 6 months may be eligible to purchase a limited health benefit plan through Cover Florida.
- The Florida Medicaid program can be tried by Floridians with low or modest household incomes. Pregnant women, families with children, medically needy, elderly, and disabled persons can get help through this program.
- The Florida Kidcare Program can help Floridian children under the age of 19 and not eligible for Medicaid and currently uninsured or underinsured.
- A federal tax credit to help pay for new health coverage to Floridians who have lost their health insurance but are benefiting from the Business Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. This credit is called the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC). At the same time, Floridians who are retired and aged 55-65 and receiving pension benefits from the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) may qualify for HCTC.
Some Facts About Affordable Health Insurance in Virginia
When talking about affordable health insurance options in Virginia, consumers need to consider their rights:
- Virginians who have lost their employer’s group health insurance can apply for COBRA or state continuation coverage in Virginia.
- Virginians should note that they have the right to purchase individual health plans from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield or CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield.
- The Virginia Medicaid program helps Virginians with low or modest household incomes qualify for free or subsidized health coverage. Pregnant women, families with children, and elderly and disabled persons are helped through this program.
- Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) helps Virginia children under the age of 18 without health insurance.
- In Virginia, the Every Woman’s Life Program offers free breast and cervical cancer screening. Through this program, if women are diagnosed with cancer, they may be eligible for treatment through the Virginia Medicaid program.
Some Facts About Affordable Health Insurance in Texas
When talking about affordable health insurance options in Texas, consumers need to consider their rights:
- Texans who hold group insurance in Texas may not be denied or limited in terms of coverage due to a health condition, nor may be required to pay more. In addition, Texans who hold group health insurance may not have the exclusion of pre-existing conditions.
- In Texas, insurers cannot waive coverage when a Texan is sick. At the same time, Texans who have lost their group health insurance but are HIPAA eligible can apply for COBRA or state continuation coverage in Texas.
- The Texas Medicaid Program helps Texans with low or modest household incomes qualify for free or subsidized health coverage. Pregnant women, families with children, elderly and disabled persons are helped through this program. Also, if a woman is diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, she may be eligible for medical care through Medicaid.
- The Texas Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides discounted health insurance coverage for certain uninsured children. In addition, children in Texas can live as dependents on their parents’ health insurance policy until age 26. This section has been implemented by healthcare reforms.
- The Texas Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program offers free cancer screenings to eligible residents. If a woman is diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through this program, she may be eligible for medical care through Medicaid.
As such, consumers need to consider state-wise options when searching for affordable health coverage. It goes without saying that it is very important to shop around and equip themselves with the necessary information to ensure consumers have the right kind of health plans.
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