Hi sonyala,
Fortunately, there are some options for the uninsured in Los Angeles.
Pregnancy and impending childbirth make it very easy to qualify for
any of the available programs.
Q) What are the health care options for her and her baby (if she does
not get some via an employer)?
A) Here are some options:
L.A. Health Care - About Page:
http://www.lacare.org/opencms/opencms/en/index.html
These look very affordable, and there is a wide range of coverage:
? Healthy Families:
This program provides qualified Californians with prescription drug
coverage and medical, dental, vision and emergency care.
Qualification(s): Available to California residents, 0-19 years of age
who do not qualify for no-cost Medi-Cal and do not have
employer-sponsored health insurance.
Cost: $4 - $9 a month per child, up to a maximum of $18 for all
children in a family.
Preventive care services are free; most other services require a $5 co-payment.
? L.A. Care?s Healthy Kids:
This program provides any child in Los Angeles County with
prescription drug coverage and medical, dental, vision and emergency
care.
Qualification(s): Available to children 0-19 years of age who do not
qualify for no-cost Medi-Cal and do not have employer-sponsored health
insurance.
Cost: $0 to $6 a month per child with a $5 co-payment for most services.
? HealthyRebates:
For those who earn too much to qualify for government sponsored
health care programs, but cannot afford private health insurance. The
HealthyRebates program provides individuals and families a monthly
subsidy of $20 to $100 to offset the cost of purchasing private health
insurance.
Qualification(s): The program is available to individuals and families
who make no more than 200% of the federal poverty level ($37,700 for a
family of four).
Cost: Varies, depending on health care plan chosen.
? Medi-Cal:
Provides eligible individuals and families with medical, dental and vision
coverage through network of over 2,500 doctors. Medi-Cal also provides
prescription drug coverage and emergency care.
Qualification(s): Available to California residents who meet federal
income guidelines; individuals who are over 65 or are disabled may
also qualify.
Cost: Medi-Cal is free to qualified children and adults.
SOURCE:
Best Kept Secret: Health Care Options for the Uninsured
http://www.lacare.org/opencms/export/download/news/Cover_the_Uninsured_Weekx_L.A._Care_programsx_approved.pdf
There is also the option of private insurance. One example of a
reputable company is below. Of course, this option is the most
expansive.
American Republic
MAIN PAGE: http://www.aric.com/Default.aspx
PRODUCTS PAGE: http://www.aric.com/Products.aspx
The last option is Public Assistance from the state.
California Department of Social Services
http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cdssweb/default.htm
She may not qualify for this if her boyfriend is living with her, and
he is the father.
This is an excellent resource:
Health Consumer Center of Los Angeles
http://www.healthconsumer.org/LosAngeles.html
..."The Health Consumer Center of Los Angeles helps low-income
residents of Los Angeles county navigate through the maze of today's
health care system. The Health Consumer Center helps people get the
health care they need..."
Q) Do they apply if she lives with her boyfriend?
A) Yes, they have income guidelines. They will ask her for income and
expenses. Note exception above in regards to public assistance.
Q) How does her employment status (employed or unemployed) affect her
health care options?
A) Obviously being unemployed affects being able to pay for health
coverage, but possibly one of the programs at the link above would
reevaluate her if she asked, and she could pay less, later. Medi-Cal
is free to qualifying families.
Q) Does she need to sign up for the health care before having the baby?
A) If she will not be able to stay on her parents insurance through
the birth, she needs to act immediately. She should ask for
information to be mailed to her immediately, select the best program
she can qualify for and afford, and join as soon as possible. She will
want to move from her parents insurance to another form of health
coverage seamlessly. Changing coverage may mean changing Doctors, so
if she can, she should stay with the Doctor she has through the birth.
She should plan in advance though, so that when her parents no longer
cover her, she has selected the best program for her already.
I hope you find this information useful. If I can clarify anything for
you, please don't hesitate to ask via the "request for clarification"
feature.
~~Cynthia
Search terms used at Google:
"health care" options "single mother" "Los Angeles" |
