If you’re a single mom, you’re probably looking for ways to afford healthcare for you and your children. It can be hard to get good health insurance coverage when you don’t have a spouse or partner who works in an employer-sponsored plan. As a single parent, your income is likely low enough that you may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. You could apply for one of these programs if they exist in your state. If not, there are other options available to help ensure that you have access to quality healthcare services as well as prescription drugs at affordable prices.
Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income people. It covers children, pregnant women, people with disabilities and people who are elderly or have low income. Medicaid also covers single parents in some states.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a free or low-cost health insurance program for children in families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but cannot afford private health insurance. CHIP covers doctor visits, hospital stays, tests, vaccines and more.
To qualify for CHIP:
- Your child must be under 19 years old
- You must not be eligible for coverage through another program (like Medicaid/Medicare)
The majority of states have expanded their CHIP programs to include pregnant women as well as children ages 6 months-19 years old.* To see if your state has expanded coverage check out this map.
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace Plans
Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans are available to all Americans, including single parents. If you don’t have insurance through work and your employer doesn’t offer coverage for single mothers, then the ACA marketplace might be the best choice for you.
ACA plans are affordable for those who qualify for financial assistance. In addition to premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, there’s also Medicaid eligibility depending on where you live in the country.
As long as a plan doesn’t have an excessive deductible or copay relative to similar plans, it’s considered affordable under federal law—but many plans still fall short when it comes to affordability because of high deductibles and copays: typical deductibles range from $1,350-$6,000 per person per year; copays range from $15-$75 per office visit or prescription fill; generic drugs cost between $10–$50 while brand name ones run around $100-250+.
Healthcare Costs as an Out-of-Pocket Expense
As a single mom, you have to be prepared for healthcare expenses. The good news is that these costs are usually not as high as you might think they would be. In fact, out-of-pocket costs can be significantly lower than if you were married and had coverage through your spouse’s employer.
Out-of-pocket costs are the amount of money you pay for healthcare services before your insurance covers any part of the cost (in other words, out-of-pocket expenses are also known as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles). The amounts vary based on your plan (and whether or not it meets minimum essential coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act) but they’re usually around 20% – 25% of the total cost of service. On top of this fixed amount each time you visit a doctor or hospital there may be a co-payment or coinsurance percentage which varies depending on what type of procedure or treatment is being given—for example: $10-$20 for every visit to an urgent care clinic vs an office visit with a primary care physician where there would only be an office visit charge without any additional fees beyond those listed in their fee schedule online ahead of time so they could prepare themselves financially ahead of time.”
Single parents can access healthcare services in many ways.
You don’t have to be a single parent to feel overwhelmed by the cost of health insurance. However, if you are a single mom or dad and your kid is insured through Medicaid, there are ways that you can get assistance with healthcare costs.
If you want to learn more about how to access health insurance as a single parent, contact your state’s Department of Health right away. Your state has a lot of information on how to get free or low-cost health coverage when you need it most—and they’ll help guide you through every step along the way.
Another option is contacting the IRS or your state’s department of public assistance directly; both organizations offer various kinds of support for uninsured individuals who can’t afford their own care without some extra help from government programs like Medicaid (which covers children up until age 19). In addition, contact the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division if there are any issues paying for childcare services while working outside home; this agency offers several types including tax deductions based on income levels ($912/month max). You may also try contacting local social services offices near where live today–or visiting one tomorrow morning before work.”
Fortunately, there are many resources available for single moms in need of healthcare or insurance coverage. Don’t be afraid to reach out and take advantage of these resources. By doing so, you can alleviate the stress of worrying about bills or finding affordable services in your area.
Remember, your children’s healthcare is just as important as your own, and with the right help, you can ensure that they receive the best care possible. So, take care of yourself, utilize the resources available to you, and give your kids the gift of great healthcare. You’ve got this!
Explore more medical and dental resources here!