Getting Health Insurance
Listed below are questions and answers to help you find out how to get health care and
health insurance.
Does my state have health insurance for children?
Your state, and every state in the nation, has a health insurance program for infants,
children, and teens. The insurance is available to children in working families. For
little or no cost, this insurance pays for doctor visits, prescription medicines,
hospitalizations, and more. To learn more, go to www.insurekidsnow.gov/states.htm or
make a free call to 1-877-KIDS-NOW.
What are all of the ways I can get health insurance?
COBRA
If you have lost your job, but worked at a place with 20 or more employees, your employer
probably offered you COBRA when you left. COBRA is a way for you to keep getting health
insurance for 18 months. But you have to pay for it. In some states, Medicaid helps pay
for it.
For more information about COBRA, contact the Department of Labor (DOL) at
1-866-275-7922, or go to DOL's web site at www.dol.gov if
you worked for a private sector employer. If you worked for the state or local government,
contact Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) at 1-877-267-2323 extension 61565 or go to
CMS's web site at http://cms.hhs.gov/about/default.asp
Your Spouse's Health Insurance
If your spouse has health coverage through his/her job, you may be able to enroll under
that health plan. Or, if you had health insurance through your job, then lost your job,
you also might be able to enroll under your spouse's health plan through a "special
enrollment" procedure. You must ask for enrollment within 30 days of losing your
health insurance. Your state's department of insurance can give you information about how
to do this, or you can contact your spouse's human resources department to learn more
Medicaid
What is Medicaid?
The Medicaid program gives medical assistance to certain individuals and families with low
incomes. Whether or not you can get Medicaid will depend on the state where you live.
Is everyone who is poor and in need of health insurance able to receive
Medicaid?
No. Listed below are the groups of people who can get Medicaid:
- children
- pregnant women
- low-income families
- persons who are blind or disabled
- persons 65 or older
Each state has different rules on who can get Medicaid. A few states also cover single,
healthy adults. You must also be a resident of the state and a United States citizen or
qualified immigrant. Legal immigrants can also qualify under certain circumstances
depending on the date of entry into the country. For more information, contact the local
Medicaid office in your state.
How can I apply for Medicaid?
You apply in the state where you live. You can get an application at your local Medicaid
office. The phone number for your local office can be found in the blue pages of your
phone book. A lot of times, the number is under "medical assistance." If you
have trouble finding the local office phone number in your phone book, call your local
Social Security office. They can give you the phone number and address of your local
Medicaid office.
You can also find your state's contact information by visiting www.cms.gov/medicaid/statemap.asp and
selecting your state on the map.
Information on Medicaid is given in the Medicaid Fact Sheet. For a free copy,
write to
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
7500 Security Blvd.
Publications, N1-26-27
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
Medicare
What is Medicare?
Medicare is government health insurance for Americans ages 65 and older and certain people
with disabilities. Medicare has two parts: hospital insurance, known as Part A, and
supplementary medical insurance, known as Part B. Part B provides payments for doctors
visits and supplies ordered by the doctor. If you are eligible for Medicare, Part A is
free, but you must pay a premium for Part B.
Medicare will pay for many of your health care expenses, but not all of them. In
particular, Medicare does not cover most nursing home care, long-term care services in the
home, or prescription drugs. There are also special rules if you have group health
insurance coverage through your own job or your spouse's job.
How can I find out if I can get Medicare?
Generally, these people can get Medicare:
- people age 65 or older
- younger people with disabilities
- people with End Stage Renal Disease (kidney failure needing dialysis or transplant)
Information on Medicare is given in the Medicare Handbook. For a free copy,
write to
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
7500 Security Blvd.
Publications, N1-26-27
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
How do I enroll in Medicare?
Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. The TTY-TDD number for the
hearing impaired is 1-800-325-0778. You can also visit their web site at www.ssa.gov.
How do I get health care if I don't have insurance and don't qualify for these
plans?
You could get an individual health policy.
You could get health insurance through an association. Some trade and
professional organizations offer health insurance to their members.
Visit a community health center, hospital clinic, or free health clinic
for health services. To locate a clinic for low-cost or free health care, go to http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc. Visit the FDA's web site for
your state department of health at www.fda.gov/oca/sthealth.htm.
Linking to your state could help connect you to health care clinics in your area.
For more information, check out these resources:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Internet: www.ahrq.gov
Bureau of Primary Health Care
Internet: www.bphc.hrsa.gov
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Internet: www.cms.gov
Georgetown University Health Policy Institute
Internet: www.healthinsuranceinfo.net
Health Insurance Association of America
Internet: www.hiaa.org/index_flash.cfm
This information was abstracted in part from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS) and Social Security Administration (SSA).
August 2003 |
