Here is What to Do If You Can’t Afford Health Insurance
Health insurance is extremely important. It helps to ensure prompt and proper emergency medical services and also proves beneficial for undergoing otherwise expensive healthcare treatments at an affordable cost.
There are several federal-subsidized health insurance packages for US citizens and one can even buy health insurance cover from private insurance companies.
Medicaid is a jointly funded federal and state health insurance program that offers coverage for eligible low-income individuals and families. Medicaid eligibility follows federal guidelines with state-specific variations in income limits, asset thresholds, and enrollment procedures.
Despite coming from a low-income household, there are several reasons why an individual may still not qualify for Medicaid. Some of the reasons a person may not qualify for Medicaid benefits are:
- Having a higher income
- Failing to report changes in family status, such as getting married or divorced
- Receiving a significant inheritance affects asset levels only; it disqualifies an applicant only if it causes assets to exceed state-specific limits
- Moving to a state with different eligible income limits
If you’ve had your Medicaid benefits revoked due to any of the above-given reasons, then don’t feel down because you still have several viable options to get affordable health insurance coverage.
3 Alternatives to Medicaid and other insurance programs
Here are some of the best alternative choices for health insurance for those who do not qualify for Medicaid and other subsidized health insurance policies.
Alternatives to Medicaid- Best Alternatives to Medicaid and other insurance programs
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Subsidized Plans
If you do not qualify for Medicaid anymore, then a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) becomes available to you.
Under the SEP, you can enroll in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare).
A qualifying event triggers a Special Enrollment Period that generally lasts 60 days, though the exact duration may vary by state.
After a Special Enrollment Period ends, enrollment waits until the next Open Enrollment Period unless a new qualifying event occurs.
If you are aware of when your Medicaid coverage is likely to end, you need to sign up for ACA in advance.
Affordable Care Act Discounts for Low and Moderate Income
Everyone knows health insurance is expensive, especially the monthly premiums that need to be paid.
However, there are ways you can reduce the premiums to more affordable rates. You may be eligible for a subsidy for ACA coverage, depending on your income level.
Eligible individuals may receive significant subsidies that reduce their monthly insurance premiums, based on a sliding scale of income.
However, if you exceed Medicaid income limits, you may still qualify for ACA subsidies if your income falls between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, subject to eligibility rules.
As of 2025, 10 states have not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, leaving many low-income individuals in the coverage gap, which has left tens of thousands of residents vulnerable without health insurance just because they fall in the small gap between Medicaid and ACA subsidies.
Even if you do not qualify for Medicaid, you should find out if you might receive a discount on health insurance premiums from the federal government, irrespective of the price tag on their health insurance policy premiums.
Short-term Health Coverage post-Medicaid
Unexpectedly, losing health insurance coverage can be difficult for you and your family.
If you lose Medicaid coverage and need to replace it, you can choose a short-term health insurance option.
Short-term health insurance plans provide temporary coverage and do not meet the ACA’s minimum essential coverage standards.
The federal penalty for not having health insurance was removed in 2019, though some states may impose fines.
Short-term plans may cover emergency treatment but usually impose benefit caps and high out-of-pocket costs, excluding many preventive and comprehensive services.
They also cover the cost of visits to see your primary care physician and even specialists if the physician advises them.
On the other hand, short-term health insurance plans generally exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, meaning treatments for conditions diagnosed before the policy start date are not covered.
For instance, if you suffer from diabetes, asthma, or arthritis before buying short-term insurance, the policy does not cover treatments for these conditions.
Conclusion
Losing health insurance is definitely worrisome, especially if you are covered by subsidized health insurance such as Medicaid.
However, there’s no need to worry anymore about the alternatives given above.
See Also
Best Options for Medical Insurance for Kids
Lap Band Surgery Cost Without Insurance
Does Medicare Cover Shingles Shots?
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