The struggling economy is causing significant issues for many states which provide health plans to assist low-income families. Many states are being forced to pare back these health insurance programs at the worst possible time…when the number of unemployed Americans continue to rise and people need assistance the most.
The methods by which various states attempt to shave the costs of these programs range from cutting benefits, to freezing new enrollment, to raising the costs that must be picked up by the enrollee.
Among some of the state sponsored low-income health plans that are in trouble include:
Washington Basic Health - Will fold in July unless $160 Million in additional Revenue. About 300 Washington residents are added to waiting list each day.
CoverTN - Tennessee’s state sponsored program. Halted in December.
CharterOak Health Plan - Connecticut’s program. Must freeze enrollment this year unless lawmakers can find more money to keep it open.
AdultBasic - Pennsylvania’s Program for low income adults. Increasing fees. Waiting list doubled in 2009
General Assistance medical Care Program - Minnesota’s Program will end in March, existing members will be moved over to MinnesotaCare.
Among other viable options for low-income adults who are looking to lower their monthly health insurance costs, while insuring that they will be covered if they fall ill or are in a serious accident, would be to increase the deductible of their existing health plan. This will keep monthly premiums down, but will require greater out of pocket costs if you should need to utilize medical care.
The struggling economy is causing significant issues for many states which provide health plans to assist low-income families. Many states are being forced to pare back these health insurance programs at the worst possible time…when the number of unemployed Americans continue to rise and people need assistance the most.
The methods by which various states attempt to shave the costs of these programs range from cutting benefits, to freezing new enrollment, to raising the costs that must be picked up by the enrollee.
Among some of the state sponsored low-income health plans that are in trouble include:
Among other viable options for low-income adults who are looking to lower their monthly health insurance costs, while insuring that they will be covered if they fall ill or are in a serious accident, would be to increase the deductible of their existing health plan. This will keep monthly premiums down, but will require greater out of pocket costs if you should need to utilize medical care.