It’s health insurance enrollment season, but you can sign up for Medicaid all year
Fall is open enrollment season for many employer-sponsored health plans, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act marketplaces that sell individual health plans.
Medicaid, which provides coverage for low-income individuals and families, also sees a bump in enrollment in the fall, probably because of all the insurance advertising. But Medicaid sign-ups happen all year-round.
“People don’t know what they’re eligible for, especially if they’re lower income but not quite that low,” said
“Folks just hear more about it in the news and it’s being talked about, they’re just more likely to say, ‘Well, maybe I should find out,’” Foster said.
How to sign up for insurance through healthcare.govMedicaid used to be restricted to low-income families and pregnant women. Under the Affordable Care Act, many states -- including
In
Income limitations are higher for pregnant women and families with children.
You may also qualify for Medicaid if you are blind, or have a disability or a special medical assistance condition. Learn more about Medicaid eligibility requirements through your state’s
Looking for help with Medicare enrollment?If you’ve been putting off figuring out insurance coverage, the ACA marketplace enrollment period, which runs through
The federal marketplace website, HealthCare.gov, asks about your household income to determine whether you’re eligible for a premium tax credit and will direct you to enroll in Medicaid if the financial information you enter indicates you may be eligible.
Pennsylvania’s COMPASS website has a survey to help people determine whether they are eligible and complete an online application for Medicaid, as well as other services they may qualify for based on income.
PHAN’s Foster encouraged people who aren’t sure if they qualify or who feel overwhelmed by the application process to ask for help.
Organizations such as PHAN provide in-person assistance year-round. Each county in
___
(c)2019 The Philadelphia Inquirer
Visit The Philadelphia Inquirer at www.inquirer.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Schwab Advisor Services Awards PCS Retirement the Best-in-Retirement Business IMPACT™ Award
Garmin® and SCOR Global Life announce collaboration to enhance wellness through wearables
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News