Your Guide to Federal Healthcare Options

On the grand scale of things, having good health should always be our top priority. We can spend the rest of our lives chasing money, cars, houses, etc. If we’re not feeling healthy, there’s little to no chance that we’d enjoy any of it. Unfortunately, in America, getting our health taken care of can cost a pretty penny.

That’s why the government creates federal assistance programs. The idea is to try and make healthcare more accessible to Americans. Each federal healthcare assistance program aims to serve a certain group of Americans. Some of these programs are based on age, others are based on income. The trick is to know which program you qualify for. You might qualify for more than one program at a time. You should also know what exact steps you should take to apply for these programs. In this article, we want to give you all that necessary information. But, remember that governmental websites will always be your most reliable source for information on these programs.

The Types Of Federal Healthcare Options You Can Find

The government creates federal assistance programs to help out Americans in need. These programs often focus on Americans who need them the most. Whether it’s someone who doesn’t have enough income to meet their needs,  or someone with a disability that challenges their ability to increase their income or make any income at all. Applicants must know what kind of programs are available to them, and more importantly, which ones they qualify for.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

The government, through the CHIP program, tries to help American families. Eligible families can get access to affordable healthcare through this program. CHIP aims to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage, including routine check-ups, immunizations, doctor visits, prescriptions, dental/vision care, scans, tests, and emergency services. CHIP may provide healthcare coverage for kids, but in some cases, the coverage may extend itself to pregnant women as well.

Also certain doctor and dental visits are free through CHIP. There are services however that you might need to copay for. Plus, you might have to pay a CHIP premium if you live in certain states. These premiums can change in price depending on the state where you live, but they will never cost more than 5% of a household’s annual income. Since it depends on where you live, you want to check out the relevant guidelines for your location!

How to Qualify For CHIP

The thing about CHIP, which happens with other federal assistance programs, is that it was created by the federal government and then given to state governments to manage. That means state governments are in control of the benefits provided, as well as the qualifications required to be eligible for the programs.

To qualify for CHIP, a family must have an income that is too high to qualify for Medicaid. But that household also can’t make enough to pay for private health insurance. Every state will provide CHIP coverage. Also, each state’s program works in close contact with the Medicaid program. You may apply for CHIP on any day of the year. You just want to get in touch!

Medicaid

The federal government created Medicaid to help low-income Americans. The idea is to provide affordable healthcare to those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to access healthcare at all. Just like CHIP, Medicaid was created by the federal government and then delegated to state governments to run it. That means benefits and qualifications may vary according to the state you live in. However, the program has a general list of eligibility terms that you should meet to qualify:

  • US citizens and eligible immigrants only
  • You must reside in the state in which you apply for Medicaid
  • You must satisfy some sort of low-income status

Medicare

This program’s name is a bit similar to Medicaid. So, if you get confused between the two, we won’t blame you. However, there’s a significant difference between both programs. While Medicaid helps low-income families and individuals of all ages, Medicare focuses on helping elderly people.

Medicare is a national healthcare program that helps people 65 years old or older. Under certain circumstances, people younger than 65 may apply for Medicare as well. People younger than 65 who want to apply for Medicare must also qualify for and receive benefits from the Social Security Disability for at least 24 months. On the other hand, people who have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) do not have to follow the 24-months rule.

Medicare is pretty complex though. Medicare offers its benefits in ‘parts.’ Each of these parts covers a different segment of healthcare costs. So, let’s understand these parts, in order for you to apply while having the knowledge necessary.

  • A: Hospital Insurance
  • B: Medical Insurance
  • C: Medicare advantages (usually offered by private insurance companies enrolled in the Medicare program)
  • D: Medicare prescription drug coverage

Keep in mind that beneficiaries will need to pay different premiums for each part. Also, it’s possible to be enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid at the same time, if eligible.

Supplemental Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SSDI will provide healthcare coverage to those who’ve worked long enough and suffer from a disability that gets in the way of being able to work any longer. The disability must render them unable to work for at least 12 months or must be considered terminal for the applicant to qualify for SSDI.

There is also a program called Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI can also help disabled individuals and their families should their income be too low to afford proper healthcare. You need to understand who’s eligible for these programs before applying. It might also be a good idea to check out this list of qualifications before applying.

Conclusion

Regardless of what your profession is, whether you’re married or not, or what your income level is, the government might have a healthcare assistance program for you. So hop onto Benefits.gov and explore your options. Healthcare could be more affordable thanks to these options. You may qualify for them and not even realize it!