The Right Health Insurance for Low Income Families
Economic hardship can happen to anyone at anytime. And when things get tough, it's tempting to drop your health insurance, and use those premiums for groceries and other necessities. Don't do it. One illness or injury could completely wipe you out, forcing you to file for bankruptcy or be dogged by creditors for years to come.
There are several health insurance options available to low income families; if you can no longer afford the premiums on your current insurance, you should fully explore these alternatives.
Medicaid provides medical care and prescription coverage to families and individuals who fall below a certain level of income. Although there is a fair amount of documentation required to prove your eligibility for Medicaid, it will pay for office visits, medications, hospitalization, and specialist consults.
If you do not qualify for Medicaid, there are other programs that can provide relief. S-CHIP, the State Children's Health Insurance Program, will provide health insurance to children under 19 whose families have too many assets to qualify for Medicaid, but are unable to afford insurance. It covers most of the same things Medicaid does.
In addition, many states and communities have special health insurance pools for people who do not otherwise qualify for coverage. These pools bring group rates from insurers, which can be significantly lower than the premiums you would otherwise pay. Your local chamber of commerce, city government, or state health care agency can provide information about this option.
You should also seek out providers who have "sliding scale fees." Many clinics will adjust their fees based on your income, and you may even qualify for free care in some cases. Some people are embarrassed to ask about these options, but clinics that offer sliding scales do so to give back to the community; no one forces them to do it. They expect and want you to use this opportunity, so don't pass it up.