Health insurance can be confusing, complicated and difficult to understand. Finding and getting affordable health insurance isn't easy. If you have low income, help may be available to you through state and public programs if you cannot afford private health insurance.
topics: affordable health insurance in Michigan: Affordable Health Insurance, Low Cost Health Insurance through state insurance programs; Michigan Health Insurance Plans: COBRA; Unemployed, Uninsured
source:Michigan Department of Community Health languages: English from the web page: "The Adult Benefits Waiver provides basic health insurance coverage to residents of the State of Michigan with countable incomes at or below 35% of the federal poverty level..."
also from Michigan Department of Community Health: brochure: adult benefits waiver coverages languages: English from the brochure: "Physician, Nurse • Annual physical exams, including
Practitioner, Oral- pelvic & breast exam, & pap test. maxillofacial Surgeon, • Diagnostic & treatment services
Medical Clinic, • Immunizations • Injections...
source:(Michigan) Center for Civil Justice (CCJ) file size: 2 pg.; languages: English from the brochure: "...The Healthcare Eligibility Law Project (HELP) is available for low income, Genesee County residents who need help getting or paying for healthcare. We will try to help you:....."
source:Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth languages: English from the web page: "...PPO stands for preferred provider organization. A preferred provider organization is an arrangement between a group of doctors or providers and an entity, such as an employer or other group. This arrangement makes it possible for price discounts on services in exchange for a higher volume of patients... "
source:Michigan Department of Human Services languages: English from the web page: "...The following areas are the geographical areas in which health services are generally available and accessible from a commercial HMO and where a commercial HMO may contract with employers. This information does not include Medicaid service areas ... "
source:Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation languages: English from the web page: "...This guide is designed to provide you with information about HMOs in Michigan. The Guide provides star ratings for the performance of Michigan HMOs. At the end of the ratings section of the guide is a link to help you find HMOs in your area... "
Michigan Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) Program
source:Internal Revenue Service | United States Department of the Treasury languages: English from the web page: "...two separate lists of state-qualified health plans for the state of Michigan, each serving a different purpose. Please review the information under each heading to determine which list is most appropriate for you..."
also from Internal Revenue Service | United States Department of the Treasury
: web page: HCTC: The Yearly HCTC languages: English from the web page: "...With the yearly HCTC, you pay your health plan premiums in full and then claim the credit on your tax return. The credit is refunded or applied as a credit toward you year-end taxes. This page provides general information on how the yearly HCTC works..."
...You may be eligible for help in paying for health insurance coverage if you are unemployed because of competition from foreign goods and qualify for federal Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA). The Trade Act of 2002 created a federal tax credit to help certain unemployed workers pay for private health insurance. The Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC)...
source:The Michigan Medicaid Project languages: English from the web page: "...Healthy Kids is a Medicaid health care program for low-income children under age 19 and for Pregnant Women of any age... "
Insurance for Pre-Existing Condition, Chronic Medical Problem Coverage
source:Health Insurance Program for Michigan languages: English from the web page: "If you were unable to obtain health insurance due to a pre-existing condition and have been uninsured for at least the past six months, you need to know about the Health Insurance Program for Michigan – commonly referred to as HIP Michigan..."
also from Health Insurance Program for Michigan: web page: Who Is Eligible
languages: English from the web page:
source:HealthCare.gov - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services languages: English from the web page: "Eligible residents of Michigan can apply for coverage through the state’s Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan program, currently being established ..."
source:Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation 2 pages; languages: English from the web pages: "...Should You Buy Cancer Insurance?.... Many People Don=t Need It. If you are considering cancer insurance, ask yourself these questions:..."
source:Kaiser State Health Facts languages: English from the web pages: "...Has High Risk Pool Program... Pool Open Only to Medically Eligibles ... Pool Open to HIPAA Eligibles ... Pool Open to Medically Eligibles..."
source:Michigan Department of Community Health languages: English from the web page: "TThe Michigan Drug Assistance Program (MIDAP) helps cover prescription drug costs for certain FDA-approved drugs for HIV/AIDS patients who qualify for the program..."
also from Michigan Department of Community Health: brochure: MIDAP Application languages: English from the brochure:
source:Michigan Department of Human Services 2 pages; languages: English from the brochure: "...HIV/AIDS Advocacy Services Also Provides: • HIV/AIDS Benefit Information Summary: General guidelines, in a quick and easy to reference format, on benefits, amounts, and eligibility criteria..."
source:Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation languages: English from the web page: "When you leave an employer group, health insurance may get more complicated and more expensive. You will generally have four options: permanent conversion to an individual policy, temporary continuation of the group benefits under COBRA..."
source:Georgetown University Health Policy Institute languages: English from the web page: "...If you are leaving your job and you had group coverage, you may be able to stay in your group plan for an extended time through COBRA coverage..."
source: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan languages: English, Spanish from the web page: "...Under the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) you can extend your group coverage by paying your own premiums. Depending on your situation, coverage can be extended for 18 to 36 months. COBRA coverage is only available to someone ... "
source:Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation languages: English from the web page: "What is COBRA? What process must individuals follow to elect COBRA coverage? How does the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) affect my COBRA benefits? Who is eligible for reduced COBRA premiums? ..."
Michigan Health Insurance: Basics; Consumer Guides to Health Insurance MI
source:Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation languages: English from the web page: "What are my health insurance options? Health insurance is available to consumers in a variety of plans and coverages. Listed here are some of the most common ..."
"...Traditional health insurance is often called "fee-for-service" because the insurer pays the bills after you receive the service. You usually can use any doctor or hospital. You will likely have to pay a deductible before the policy begins to pay and co-payments each time you receive a health care service. If the coverage pays less than the full bill, you may be responsible for paying the balance..."
source:Georgetown University Health Policy Institute file size: 40 pg.; languages: English from the brochure: "...Help is available to certain low-income residents of Michigan who cannot afford to buy health insurance. Medicaid and MIChild offer free or subsidized health insurance coverage, direct medical services, or other help at no cost to you. In addition, the federal Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) Program provides tax credits to early retirees..."
source:Foundation for Health Coverage Education 2 pages; languages: English, Spanish from the web page: "...hand-held guide available that outlines your state’s (Michigan) public and private health care choices for individuals and groups in almost every demographic profile, as well as offers a reference list of phone numbers and Web sites..."
source:CoverTheUninsured.org file size: 9 pg.; languages: English from the brochure: "...If you cannot afford health care or insurance... there are programs that provide health insurance to some people who cannot afford to buy it on their own. You or your family members may qualify, even if you work. However, these programs have income and asset limits. In Michigan, the main programs are Medicaid
and MiChild/Healthy Kids...."
source:Michigan Department of Community Health languages: English, Spanish from the web page: "...Through this program, women who have breast and cervical cancer will be identified at earlier stages of these diseases, when treatment is less expensive and the survival rate is more favorable. Working together, participating medical providers and local health agencies can ensure that the highest quality breast and cervical cancer ..."
source:mihealth.org languages: English from the web page: "The MiRx (My Prescription) Card is a prescription drug discount program for Michigan residents who do not have any prescription drug coverage...."
also from mihealth.org: brochure: Introducing the MiRX Card 2 pages; languages: English from the web page: "...There is no age limit to participate. Eligibility must be establishedfor each family member. To be eligible you must:
• Be a resident of the State of Michigan
• Have no other prescription drug coverage
• Have an income level at or below the state’s median income level..."
source:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention languages: English, Spanish from the web page: "...The Michigan Department of Community Health contracts with nine local health departments, one federally qualified health center, and one free clinic to implement the WISEWOMAN program in 29 counties around the state. The program provides services to women in the urban areas of Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Benton Harbor, and Muskegon as well as serving Medically Underserved Areas in rural Michigan..."
source:Michigan Primary Care Association languages: English, Spanish from the web page: "'Health Center' is a broad term for a diverse range of public and non-profit organizations and programs that focus on improving the health of individuals and communities by providing comprehensive, accessible, affordable, quality primary and preventive care... In Michigan, 31 Health Centers serve nearly 600,000 patients at over 160 sites across the state..."
source: National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) languages: English from the brochure:"Community, Migrant, and Homeless Health Centers are non-profit, community-directed providers that remove common barriers to care by serving communities who otherwise confront financial, geographic, language, cultural and other barriers."
also from National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC): web page: Find a Health Center languages: English from the web page: "If you need affordable health care, a Community Health Center may be what you're looking for... Click here to find the health center closest to your address or to see a list of health centers in your state or county/parish..."
"Federally-funded health centers care for you, even if you have no health insurance. You pay what you can afford, based on your income. Health centers provide
•checkups when you're well
•treatment when you're sick
•complete care when you're pregnant
•immunizations and checkups for your children
•dental care and prescription drugs for your family
•mental health and substance abuse care if you need it..."
source:Michigan Department of Community Health languages: English from the brochure: (2006) "Health insurance coverage is an important element in keeping people healthy. Studies have shown that the consequences of not having health insurance coverage can be detrimental to people’s health status..."
source:Michigan Cover the Uninsured Network languages: English from the web page: "The Michigan Cover the Uninsured Network and some of Michigan’s leading organizations have launched a statewide initiative to enroll as many as 50,000 uninsured children in state sponsored health insurance programs such as MIChild and Healthy Kids over the next two years..."
source:Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan languages: English from the web page: "Helping Michigan residents obtain access to health care is an important part of the Blues' social mission. Our "Help with Health Care" brochures list resources for the uninsured in Michigan, including..."
source:Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth languages: English from the web page: "...products that are generally considered to be "senior" insurance products. The information in this section includes Medicare/Medicare supplement/Medicare Advantage and long term care insurance..."
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