If you’re single and uninsured, the specter of a health crisis takes on an added dimension of anxiety. Not only might your very life be in danger, but your livelihood as well. And unless you have wealthy parents, siblings, or grown children who can bail you out of impending financial doom, it may take you the rest of your days to pay back that doctor you owe your life to.
When you’re an uninsured single, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of resignation and daily prayer or crossed fingers. It may not occur to you that just because your job doesn’t come with insurance doesn’t mean you have to go without. Here are six avenues to affordable insurance that you may want to investigate:
1. Medicaid
Medicaid eligibility varies from state to state. For example, if you live in New York, like I do, and are single, you can’t earn more than $700 a month or have resources totaling more than $4,200. You’ll need to prove your eligibility by meeting with a Medicaid counselor and completing an extensive inventory of your income and assets. This can take several hours, both in preparation and at your nearest Department of Social Services, so be sure you meet the requirements before you apply.
2. Low-Cost State Insurance
If you’re not eligible for Medicaid (insurance at no cost), you may still be eligible for a state-run plan for low-income residents (insurance at low cost). A handful of progressive states now offer policies with discounted premiums for those who are just above the Medicaid cut-off. These policies are usually the dreaded HMOs and may provide only basic, no-frills coverage, but they’re better than nothing. For example, Health NY, the New York State plan for singles who make no more than $2,167 a month, regardless of their assets, covers diagnostic and treatment services, including surgery, for a wide range of medical conditions, but it doesn’t cover dental, vision, mental health, or “preventive” care. Premiums vary based on the details of the chosen plan but are in the $200 to 300 range. Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Illinois, Washington and Oregon have similar plans.
3. Catastrophic Coverage
If you don’t qualify for a low-income plan, consider obtaining catastrophic coverage in case of a medical emergency. These bare-bones policies generally cover hospital visits only, but it’s that unexpected trip to the ER that’s most likely to bruise your bank account. Since you’re only expected to use your benefits in a crisis, your deductible will probably be high, in the $500 to 2,000 range. Premiums are about $100 a month. Blue Cross Blue Shield and GHI are two insurance companies known for their popular catastrophic coverage, or hospital indemnity, plans.
