In the United States, everyone needs some kind of health insurance in order to pay for their medical bills. Without health insurance, you could find yourself tens of thousands of dollars in debt after a brief stint at your local hospital.
However, to access health insurance you often have to meet certain requirements. Not everyone has the necessary income for the best types of coverage. That doesn’t mean you can’t get healthcare access at all, though.
Here’s your guide to health insurance accessibility and your options.
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Low-Income Healthcare Options
One way health insurance access is limited is by your income. In most cases, better insurance options have higher monthly premiums.
Most people can’t afford to spend hundreds of dollars a month on health insurance they may only use a few times a year. That doesn’t include supplemental coverage.
Low-income households do have some help accessing health insurance, though. Health coverage tax credits can help you get lower costs for certain health plans as long as your income is below a certain level. You can look forward to monthly premiums of less than $50 a month depending on the plan you choose.
Additionally, kids can continue to receive coverage from their parents’ health insurance policies until they’re 26 years old.
Disability Health Insurance
Some people are unable to work due to some kind of injury or pre-existing disability. However, that doesn’t disqualify them from access to health insurance.
Although disability insurance helps to pay part of your income, it doesn’t provide immediate health insurance. Instead, you have the option to get health coverage through the government.
Medicaid provides free or low-cost benefits to people with disabilities. Medicare, while intended for senior citizens, also provides coverage for certain disabilities. The Affordable Care Act Marketplace can also help you get health insurance.
Unemployment Options
The Marketplace is also a good place to look for health insurance if you’re unemployed. Normally, your options will be limited due to the temporary nature of unemployment. After all, you need to actively search for a job to qualify for unemployment.
If you’re unemployed, you will still report your income and household size. However, that income will be what you were previously paid or what you expect to receive in the future.
You can also look for financial assistance if you need help paying monthly premiums. The American Rescue Plan is one such option.
Your best option will be to sign up for health insurance with a projected income rather than your previous income. Even though you’re currently unemployed, it’ll be fine as long as you eventually get a job and can afford your premiums.
Access Health Insurance Today
Everyone deserves the ability to access health insurance and healthcare. Just because a person makes less money than someone else doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t get the same kind of support. Take the time to look through the various health insurance options to find the best coverage for your needs.
Check out some of our other articles if you’re interested in reading more about health and finance topics.
