When you’re looking for a new health insurance plan, you might come across a few different options – Individual and Family, Medicare and Medicaid coverage give members health care choices based on their needs. Within each plan “type,” you’ll have coverage options with various benefits and costs.
You might also come across ancillary options, like dental or vision insurance. If you want coverage for certain aspects of your health, make sure your review each plan’s details when shopping to make sure you get the coverage you need.
Individual Health Insurance For You and Your Family
Individual and Family health plans are available for you and your family in case you don't have insurance through your employer. Unlike Medicare and Medicaid, you don’t need to meet any age, disability or income requirements to enroll in an Individual and Family plan.
These plans cover a wide range of services and:
- Coverage lasts a year
- Can usually be renewed annually
- Meet the essential requirements set by the Affordable Care Act
Affordable Care Act coverage requirements include:
- Emergency services, hospitalization, and preventive care
- Maternity, newborn and pediatric care
- Mental health care & chemical dependency treatment
- Lab services, prescription drugs, and disease management
- Rehabilitative services and devices
If you enroll in an Individual and Family plan, you might be able lower your monthly bill with a premium tax credit, also known as a subsidy.
Learn more about getting financial help to lower your monthly bill and how to enroll.
Medicare
Medicare is a type of health care coverage for people age 65 or older or people under 65 with certain disabilities or illnesses.
You can add to your Original Medicare Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) to help strengthen your health insurance safety net:
- Part C – Medicare Advantage Plans can be seen as all-in-one coverage, some with built-in prescription drug coverage
- Part D – Prescription drug coverage that pays for approved drugs
- Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans – May help pay for health care costs not covered by Original Medicare
Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Medicaid and CHIP are low- or no-cost health insurance offered through the government. Your eligibility is based on your household size and income and is determined by the government. You can apply any time of year.
- If you qualify, coverage can start right away.
- For Medicaid information, visit Medicaid.gov.
- For CHIP, visit insurekidsnow.gov or call 1-877-543-7669.
Employer Insurance Plan
If you get your health plan through your job, this is called an employer insurance pan. It's also known as a group insurance plan or group coverage.