Happy Home Insider
Even if you’ve been lucky enough to enjoy good health in the past, the COVID-19 scare may have you thinking more carefully about healthcare.
Many people severely affected by the virus had underlying conditions they weren’t aware of, which may have been avoided via regular doctor visits and preventative care.
How can you get the coverage you need if you’re on a limited income? Via a few avenues, which we’ll discuss now.
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Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Millions of people rely on Medicaid and CHIP for low-cost or even free health coverage. These programs’ recipients cover a broad base, including:
- Individuals
- Families
- Children
- The elderly
- People with disabilities
- Pregnant women
One benefit of Medicaid and CHIP is that they do not have specific open enrollment periods. In other words, you can apply for them at any time of the year. As soon as you officially qualify and are approved, you can start enjoying the coverage.
You may qualify for Medicaid based on your income alone. You can see if you are eligible now by visiting here and entering your household size, the state you live in, and your estimated income for 2020.
What happens if you don’t qualify based on income? You should apply anyway, as your state’s program may accept you, particularly if you are pregnant, have a disability, or have kids.
It’s worth noting that Medicaid and CHIP programs may have different names according to your state. You can find yours by going here.
How to Apply for Medicaid and CHIP
You have two main options when it comes to applying for subsidized health coverage via Medicaid and CHIP. The first is to apply through the Medicaid agency in your state.
The second option is to apply by using the Health Insurance Marketplace. When you apply using this option, your state agency will receive information should anyone in your household qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. The agency will then contact you for help with enrolling.
As a side note, you can also apply for CHIP by calling 1-800-318-2596. Although CHIP benefits vary by state, here are some services that fall under its comprehensive coverage for children:
- Free routine doctor and dental visits
- Vision and dental care
- Emergency services
- Immunizations
- Prescriptions
- X-ray and lab services
- Inpatient and outpatient care
Community Health Centers
You may find yourself in a bind if you don’t qualify for Medicaid and CHIP due to your income, but also can’t afford a health plan. If this is the case, you may be able to find a community health center near you that will provide low-cost health care.
Located in both urban and rural areas, community health centers charge according to income and offer such services as general primary care, baby shots, prenatal care, referrals to specialized care, and more.
