Locating Insurance Options

There are many places for you to find health insurance. Health insurance can be purchased or enrolled in through many different outlets.

The most common areas to locate insurance are:

  • In conjunction with an employer; job-sponsored plan
  • On the individual exchange marketplace for your state
  • Connected to a spouse or family member’s plan
  • Connected to your parent’s plan if you are under 26 years old
  • Directly through an insurer or insurance broker
  • A government-sponsored plan like Medicare or Medicaid, if eligible
  • Military or Veterans Administration (VA) benefits, if eligible

Each state has a marketplace website for its health insurance, also known as an Exchange. State exchanges offer many different kinds of plans designed to meet your budget and healthcare needs. You’ll find links to each state’s marketplace or exchange at www.healthcare.gov.

If you’re over 65, have been diagnosed with certain medical conditions or have been determined to be disabled by the Social Security Administration, you may be eligible for a federal insurance program called Medicare. Details for this program can be found at www.medicare.gov .

If you have low income, you may be eligible for Medicaid, which is a federally mandated state-run program for low income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities. To be eligible for Medicaid you must meet both a coverage category as well as income and asset requirements. Additional information can be found at www.medicaid.gov.

Another option you may consider is to buy health insurance directly from a private insurance company, an online insurance seller, or an agent or broker. Contact the insurers directly to discuss options.

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