If you’re in need of cheap health insurance, don’t assume that Marketplace medical insurance is not for you.
When you shop for Obamacare, whether through HealthSherpa or HealthCare.gov, you’ll automatically find out the cost savings available to you based on your annual household income and family size. Grab our free step-by-step guide to enrolling in Marketplace health insurance here to get started. In 2019, most people who enrolled in Obamacare plans through HealthSherpa had premiums of only $35 a month or less. And 1 in 4 of all HealthSherpa enrollees had premiums of $2.50 per month or less. You can begin to review your options today by contacting the HealthSherpa Consumer Advocate Team at (872) 228-2549 or shopping for a plan online.
Depending on your income level, you might also qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program. It provides free or low-cost health coverage for eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant people, and people with disabilities. 32 states plus the District of Columbia have opted to expand their Medicaid programs. In these places, the income limit for qualification is 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. That translates into an annual income of $16,753 for an individual and $34,638 for a family of four.
There is also the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which covers children from low-income families who otherwise do not qualify for Medicaid and would be otherwise uninsured. The majority of states’ CHIP programs cover children whose families earn up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Don’t forget that while you can only enroll in for Affordable Care Act health plans during the annual Open Enrollment Period or if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you can apply for Medicaid and CHIP at any time throughout the year. All Affordable Care Act plans have mandatory health benefits, including covering preexisting conditions, emergency care, mental health, and more. See if you're eligible for a tax credit or subsidy and shop health insurance options here.