There are several government health insurance options available to those who qualify. Many people are unaware of these options and so they are unable to take advantage of them, even when they are eligible recipients. It is important that if you are looking for health insurance for you and your family that you find out whether you are eligible for insurance coverage from the Federal Government.

The following are some of the programs that are available and some basic guidelines for these plans. If you think that you may be eligible for one of these options, please contact your local medical assistance department or Department of Social Services for further information about the eligibility requirements.

• MEDICAID - Medicaid is a program that is federally funded but is instituted by the state in which you live. It provides medical assistance to those who are low income. The income requirements are relatively low and Medicaid tends to be a program to cover pregnant women, children and babies, the disabled population as well as the low income elderly. This Medicaid type program has different names from state to state, but you can contact your local DSS for further information regarding eligibility.
• MEDICARE - Medicare is a program which is funded by the federal government which serves as insurance coverage for those individuals age 65 and older and for people who are less than 65 who have long term disabilities. There is no income requirement for being eligible for Medicare so once you hit 65 you are automatically eligible.
• SCHIP - This is one of the newer government programs available to families with children. The abbreviation SCHIP stands for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and it is a federally funded and state implemented program that is designed to cover those children who come from lower to middle income families who make too much money to be eligible for Medicaid. Depending on your income you may be required to pay a small premium based on a sliding scale, but the cost is minimal and the coverage is excellent. This option is even available for those that can receive insurance through their employers if you can not afford to pay to insure the children under your plan. If you have children you need to insure and a modest income on which to do this, you need to find out more information about your eligibility. Each state calls this program by a different name; however, your local Medicaid office should be able to let you know if your family qualifies.
• MILITARY HEALTH COVERAGE - Those who are in the military have several government forms of health coverage available to them. These three types of insurance are Tricare/Champus, VA and Champ VA.
  • TRICARE/CHAMPUS – This is insurance that is used to cover active and retired military personnel. It also provides coverage to their family and their surviving family members.
  • VA – Is the military health coverage that provides medical assistance to Vets of the Armed forces and those from their surviving family.
  • CHAMP VA – Pays for medical services for veterans, survivors of veterans and their dependents.
• INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES – These are services that the United States provides through IHS facilities for Native American’s health care needs. These facilities are located in regions across the country.
• STATE PLAN – This is a plan offered by a select few individual states to provide coverage to those who are in need of insurance that are not helped by other government funded plans. These programs are only available in select states and the name on these plans tends to vary from state to state. Again your local Department of Social Services or Medicaid office should be able to inform you about the different state and federal insurance options you are eligible for.