Health

All About Affordable Health Insurance Plans

While consumers search for affordable health insurance, price is their top priority. A general conception among consumers is that cheap health plans should not be expensive. They target the cheapest health plan available in the market. However, this approach is not good. Sometimes, paying for an affordable health insurance plan but not getting the required coverage level results in wasted money.

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With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the reach of affordable health plans is set to increase—or at least, this is believed to be the objective of healthcare reforms. However, many consumers are still confused about how things would work. This article will discuss some detailed options consumers can try while buying affordable health plans.

Consumers must take certain steps to obtain affordable health insurance plans. First, they should know the options in their state of residence. There are many state and federal government-run programs that could be suitable for consumers. Knowing the options is pretty important. Next, I would like to understand all the programs’ terms and conditions and check the eligibility criteria.
Further, consumers should know their rights after the implementation of healthcare reforms. Within a few days, they may qualify for a particular program or be allowed to avail of a specific health insurance plan. If consumers take care of these steps, there is no reason why they can’t land on an affordable health plan that could cater to their medical 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, the state government runs three affordable health insurance plans. Consumers can benefit from these if they are eligible for the benefits.

• Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP)

This convenient program offers 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 receive benefits.

• Healthy Families Program

Healthy Families Program offers Californians low-cost health, dental, and vision coverage. This is mainly geared to children whose parents earn too much to qualify for public assistance. MRMIP administers this program.

• Access for Infants and Mothers Program (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, including 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 the below-mentioned options:

• Floridians who lost their 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 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 have been uninsured for six months may be eligible to buy a limited health benefit plan through Cover Florida.

• Floridians with low or modest household incomes can try the Florida Medicaid program. Through this program, pregnant women, families with children, the medically needy, the elderly, and disabled individuals may get help.

• The Florida KidCare program can help Floridian children under 19 who are not eligible for Medicaid and are 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 aged 55-65 receiving pension benefits from the 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 can buy individual health plans from either 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. This program also helps pregnant women, families with children, and elderly and disabled individuals.

• Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) helps Virginian children under the age of 18 who lack 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

While talking about affordable health insurance options in Texas, consumers need to consider their rights:

• Texans with group insurance in Texas cannot be denied or limited in terms of coverage, nor can they be required to pay more because of their health status. Further, Texans having group health insurance can’t have the exclusion of preexisting conditions.

• In Texas, insurers cannot drop Texans off coverage when they get sick. At the same time, Texans who lost their group health insurance but are HIPAA-eligible may 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. This program helps pregnant women, families with children, elderly people, and disabled individuals. At the same time, 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) offers subsidized health coverage for certain uninsured children. Further, children in Texas can stay on their parent’s health insurance policy as dependents until they are 26 years old. The healthcare reforms have implemented this clause.

• The Texas Breast and Cervical Cancer Control program offers free cancer screening for qualified residents. If a woman is diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through this program, she may qualify for medical care through Medicaid.

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