Families with low incomes have to be careful not to exceed their health insurance budgets. If they fail to keep their plan premiums within a certain amount, they might go into debt or not have enough left over for deductibles if they end up needing treatments that are not covered. Here are some of the top ways to get affordable health care for low income families by using iCan.
Find Specifically Designed Health Plans for Low Income Families in Your Area
many states and jurisdictions, such as Idaho; maintain Health Insurance Premium Assistance programs. These benefit packages are made specifically for families whose wage levels are below a certain amount. Qualifying income levels vary from state to state and may change along with new legislation, so make sure that you use an online database like iCan to access the most up-to-date information.
Supplement Your Existing Low Income Family Insurance with Standardized Federal Breaks
It's also possible to create a low-cost or free health insurance plan by applying for federally mandated insurance breaks. Things like Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program also provide coverage for expensive services that your insurance plan might exclude, such as prescriptions, vaccinations and emergency care.
New tax credits that begin in October 2013 may also make it easier to reduce your care costs via the Health Insurance Marketplace provisioned by the Affordable Care Act. In the meantime, however, it's best to use a research tool like iCan to find programs and options.
Make the Most of Your Existing Insurance for Low Income Families
Many of the health plans available on iCan include benefits that may drastically reduce your care costs. Plans with on-call nurses, for instance, allow you to simply talk to someone who will walk you through minor issues so that you do not have to spend money on emergency room visits for minor issues that children often encounter, like splinters and nosebleeds. You can also find
health insurance for preexisting conditions that can be affordable because of benefit add-ons that cover specific treatments.
Communicate with Your Insurance Marketplace and Your Providers
Use the iCan Member Services team to find out more about your health care options and benefits of your plan, and take a similar approach with your health care providers. You might discover that you can save a lot of money by splitting up your treatments or selecting alternative procedures. Also remember that the iCan Health Advocates can save you money by negotiating for fee reductions for you.
