Orlando Harmon
If you have no income, you may be able to get free or low-cost health insurance through a government-sponsored program like Medicaid or CHIP. Medicaid is a federal and state program that provides health insurance to people with limited resources and low incomes. CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) provides low-cost health coverage to children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to buy private insurance. You can apply for both programs through a health insurance marketplace or your state's Medicaid website. Additionally, people under 26 can stay on their parents' health plans, and people 65 and older can apply for Medicare Savings Programs to help with premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Health insurance options for unemployed | Affordable health insurance plan through the Marketplace |
| Health Insurance Marketplace® | |
| Obamacare | |
| Income-based government plans | |
| COBRA | |
| Medicare | |
| Medicaid | |
| Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) | |
| Private insurers | |
| Employer-sponsored plan | |
| State-based insurance | |
| Medicare Savings Program (MSP) | |
| Extra Help | |
| Social Security Administration | |
| State Health Insurance Assistance Program |
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What You'll Learn
Medicare Savings Programs for those 65+ with low income
If you are unemployed, you may be able to get an affordable health insurance plan through the Marketplace, with savings based on your income and household size. You can apply for or re-enroll in Medicaid or CHIP any time of the year. Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including some low-income people, families, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Each state works closely with its state Medicaid program. In many cases, if you qualify for savings on a Marketplace plan, your children will qualify for either Medicaid or CHIP.
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are a sub-set of Medicaid, designed to help people aged 65+ with low income afford their Medicare costs. MSP eligibility is income-based, and guidelines may vary from state to state. There are four Medicare Savings Programs, each with different income and resource eligibility limits. These limits go up each year. You may still qualify for these programs in your state even if your income or resources are higher than the federal limits listed. Some states don't count certain types or specific amounts of income or resources when deciding who qualifies.
The four Medicare Savings Programs are:
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): For Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), people may qualify if they have income less than 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and resources under $9,660 if single, $14,470 if married. For those eligible, QMB will cover the Medicare premiums (Part A, if applicable, and Part B), deductibles, copayments and/or coinsurance.
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB): Helps pay for Part B premium.
- Qualified Individual (QI): This program helps pay for Part B premiums.
- Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI): For those eligible, QDWI will cover the Part A premium.
Enrollment in an MSP could save you $2,220 each year. If you’re living on a fixed income, this extra financial help can give you added peace of mind and more room in your budget for essentials like food and utilities.
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Medicaid for low-income families, children, pregnant women and people with disabilities
Medicaid is a federal and state program that provides health insurance to people with limited resources and low income. Eligibility varies by state, but coverage is usually free or very low cost for those under age 65 who qualify.
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide free or low-cost health coverage to eligible low-income adults, families, and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. In all states, Medicaid provides coverage for low-income people, including families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Eligibility for Medicaid is based on income, household size, disability, family status, and other factors. Eligibility rules differ between states. In states that have expanded Medicaid coverage, you can qualify based on your income alone. If your household income is below 133% of the federal poverty level, you qualify.
Even if your state hasn't expanded Medicaid, you should still fill out an application. Each state has coverage options that consider income, household size, family status (like pregnancy or caring for young children), disability, age, and other factors. If it looks like anyone in your household qualifies for Medicaid or CHIP, your information will be sent to your state agency, and they will contact you about enrollment.
If you are not eligible for Medicaid, you may receive a letter from your state informing you of this. In most cases, your state will send your information to the Marketplace, and you will receive a letter about applying for Marketplace coverage. You may qualify for a premium tax credit or other cost savings for a Marketplace plan. Four in five people can find health coverage for $10 or less per month.
If you are over 65 and have low income, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) that pays for your Medicare premiums and sometimes Parts A and B. You can apply through the Social Security Administration.
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CHIP for children and pregnant women who earn too much for Medicaid
If you have no income, you may be able to get an affordable health insurance plan through the Marketplace, with savings based on your income and household size. People who are 65 or older with low income can apply for Medicare Savings Programs to help with Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs. The Extra Help program can save you up to $5,100 on your Medicare prescription drug plan costs.
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide free or low-cost health coverage to eligible low-income adults, families, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Each state has its own eligibility requirements, and eligible income levels, coverage, and costs may vary from state to state.
In certain states, CHIP provides low-cost health coverage to children and pregnant women in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid. CHIP qualifications are different in every state and, in most cases, they depend on income. If you apply to your state agency for Medicaid coverage, you will also find out if your children qualify for CHIP. If they do, you won't have to buy an insurance plan to cover them.
You can apply for CHIP in the following ways:
- Find a CHIP program by state.
- Create an account with the Health Insurance Marketplace and fill out an application.
- If it looks like anyone in your household qualifies for CHIP, your information will be sent to your state agency. They will contact you about enrollment.
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Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare health plans
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, is a landmark U.S. federal statute enacted in 2010. The ACA's major provisions came into force in 2014, and by 2016, the uninsured share of the population had roughly halved, with estimates ranging from 20 to 24 million additional people covered.
The ACA provides consumers with subsidies ("premium tax credits") that lower costs for households with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL). These subsidies are available to those who purchase private insurance. The ACA also expanded the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138% of the FPL, although not all states have expanded their Medicaid programs.
If you have low or no income, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) that pays for your Medicare premiums and, in some cases, Parts A and B. You can apply for an MSP through the Social Security Administration. If you are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, you can also access a State Health Insurance Assistance Program for free counselling.
Medicaid is a federal and state program that provides health insurance to people with limited resources and low incomes. Eligibility varies by state, but coverage is usually free or very low cost for those under age 65 who qualify. Pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities may still be eligible even if they don’t meet the income threshold. There is no open enrollment period for Medicaid, so you can apply at any time throughout the year.
If you are unemployed, you may be able to get an affordable health insurance plan through the Marketplace, with savings based on your income and household size. You can find out more about Marketplace plans and apply at HealthCare.gov.
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$19.95
Private health insurance
If you have no income, you may be able to get affordable health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. The savings are based on your income and household size.
Medicaid is a federal and state program that provides health insurance to people with limited resources and low incomes. Eligibility varies by state, but coverage is usually free or very low cost for those under 65 who qualify. Pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities may still be eligible even if they don't meet the income threshold.
If you are 65 or older with low income, you may be eligible for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) that pays for your Medicare premiums and sometimes Parts A and B. The Extra Help program can save you up to $5,100 on your Medicare prescription drug plan costs.
People under 26 can stay on their parents' health plans. People with disabilities are eligible for Medicare. Medicare offers several financial assistance programs for people with low incomes.
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Frequently asked questions
Some health insurance options for people with no income are:
- Medicaid: A federal and state program that provides free or low-cost health coverage to people with limited resources and low incomes.
- Medicare Savings Programs: For people 65 and older with low income or long-term disabilities.
- Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP): Provides low-cost health coverage to children and pregnant women in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid.
- Health Insurance Marketplace: A federal program that helps you compare plans and choose the right one based on cost, benefits, and coverage.
You can apply for Medicaid at any time of the year through Healthcare.gov or your state marketplace, or directly through your state Medicaid agency.
You can apply for CHIP through a health insurance marketplace or your state's Medicaid website.
You can apply for a Medicare Savings Program through the Social Security Administration.
