While consumers search
for affordable health insurance, they have price in their mind as the top
priority. A general conception among the consumers is that cheap health plans
should not be costly-the cheapest health plan available in the market is their target.
However, this approach is not good. Sometimes, paying for a cheap health
insurance plan but still not getting the required level of coverage results
only in wastage of money.
With the
implementation of the affordable care act, the reach of affordable health plans
is set to increase. Or at least, this is what is believed to be the objective
of healthcare reforms. However, lots of consumers are still in confusion about
how things would work. In this article, we will discuss some detailed options
that consumers can try while looking to buy affordable health plans.
To get a hand on Affordable Health
Insurance , consumers need to take of certain things. First among them is
about knowing the options in the particular state of the residence. There are
lots of state and federal government-run programs that could be suitable for
consumers. Knowing the options is pretty important. Next would be to understand
the terms and conditions of all the programs and check the eligibility criteria
for each one of them. Further, consumers should know their rights after the
implementation of healthcare reforms, and something within a few days, they may
qualify for a particular program or could be allowed to avail a particular
health insurance plan. If consumers take care of these steps, there is no
reason why consumers can't land on an affordable health plan that could cater
to the medical care needs.
Let's
discuss some options related to affordable health insurance plans state-wise:
State-run affordable
health insurance programs in California
While considering
California, there are three affordable health insurance plans that are run by
the state government. Consumers can surely get benefitted by these if they are
eligible for the benefits.
• Major Risk Medical
Insurance Program (MRMIP)
This program is a very
handy one offering limited health benefits to California residents. If
consumers are unable to purchase health plans due to a preexisting medical
condition, they can see if they qualify for this program and get benefits.
• Healthy Families
Program
Healthy Families
Program offers Californians with low cost health, dental, and vision coverage.
This is mainly geared to children whose parents earn too much to qualify for
public assistance. This program is administered by MRMIP.
• Access for Infants
and Mothers Program (AIM)
Access for Infants and
Mothers Program provides prenatal and preventive care for pregnant women having
low income 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 enrollees.
Some
facts about affordable health insurance in Florida
While talking about
affordable health insurance options in Florida, consumers can think about below
mentioned options:
• Floridians who 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 occurring between September 1, 2008
and December 31, 2009 may qualify for a federal tax credit. This credit helps
in paying COBRA or state continuation coverage premiums for up to nine months.
• Floridians who had
been uninsured for 6 months may be eligible to buy a limited health benefit
plan through Cover Florida.
• Florida Medicaid
program can be tried by Floridians having low or modest household income.
Through this program, pregnant women, families with children, medically needy,
elderly, and disabled individuals may get help.
• Florida KidCare
program can help the Floridian children under the age of 19 years and not
eligible for Medicaid and currently uninsured or underinsured.
• A federal tax credit
to help pay for new health coverage to Floridians who lost their health
coverage but are receiving benefits from the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
Program. This credit is called the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC). At the
same time, Floridians who are retirees and are aged 55-65 and are receiving
pension benefits from Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC), may qualify
for the HCTC.
Some
facts about affordable health insurance in Virginia
While talking about
affordable health insurance options in Virginia, consumers need to consider
their rights:
• Virginians who lost
their employer's group health insurance may apply for COBRA or state
continuation coverage in Virginia.
• Virginians must note
that they have the right to buy individual health plans from either Anthem Blue
Cross Blue Shield or CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Virginia Medicaid
program helps Virginians having low or modest household income may qualify for
free or subsidized health coverage. Through this program, pregnant women,
families with children, and elderly and disabled individuals are helped.
• Family Access to
Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) helps Virginian children under the age of 18
years having no 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.
