You've finally found a job, but it doesn't have the health insurance you were hoping it would. This is not uncommon; many struggling companies no longer offer health insurance.
Recent statistics say there are more than 560,000 people in Indiana are without health insurance.
Fortunately, help is available. Unfortunately, not everyone is taking advantage of it.
Indiana has several programs that can help you and your family.
Healthy Indiana Plan
Healthy Indiana Plan will provide health insurance for uninsured adult Hoosiers between the ages of 19 through 64 whose household income meets the guidelines of the federal poverty level and are not eligible for Medicaid. Eligible participants must be uninsured for at least six months and cannot be eligible for employer-sponsored health insurance.
The plan covers physician visits, prescriptions, diagnostic exams, home health services, outpatient and inpatient hospital care, hospice, preventive services, family planning and case and disease management. Mental health coverage is also included.
The amount of what you will pay into this program is based on income and family size and is based on a sliding scale. It will never be more than 5 percent of your family's income.
Hoosier Healthwise
This program offers medical and dental care for low-income children and pregnant woman at little or no cost.
Rx for Indiana
Rx For Indiana is a program that connects qualified, low-income people with discount prescription medicines, direct from the pharmaceutical manufacturer.
HoosierRx
HoosierRx is another pharmaceutical assistance program that works with people enrolled in a Medicare Part D Plan. This program can help pay the monthly Part D premium, up to $70 per month.
For more information on these programs, call the Lake County Minority Health Coalition at (219) 886-3648 or visit http://www.in.gov/core/family.htm.
Lisette Guillen is managing editor of Viva. The opinions are solely those of the writer. She can be reached at lisette.guillen@nwitimes.com or (219) 852-4310.
