Government Health Insurance Programs

There are several government health insurance programs that provide health care assistance to qualifying individuals and families. These are detailed below:

Medicaid

Medicaid is a welfare program that provides free health insurance to people with low incomes and resources. It is designed to help people pay for some or all of their medical bills. Medicaid does not provide medical assistance for all poor people – other eligibility criteria also apply. Learn more about Medicaid.

Medicare

Medicare is a health insurance program for people aged 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant). Learn more about Medicare.

State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

SCHIP is a program that provides matching funds to state health insurance programs for families with children that do not qualify for Medicaid but still have relatively low incomes. Learn more about SCHIP.

COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act)

COBRA is not a free health insurance program, but is a law that allows an insured employee and their dependents to continue health insurance coverage under their employer's group health plan for up to 18 months, or 36 months for dependents in certain circumstances, if they lose their job or their coverage is otherwise terminated. Learn more about COBRA.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

HIPAA is not a free health insurance program, but is a law that allows an individual to qualify for comparable health insurance coverage if they change their employment or relationships, irrespective of pre-existing conditions or health status. Learn more about HIPAA.