Health insurance even if you can't afford it
10:55 a.m. Friday, June 20, 2008
Everything from the price of a gallon of gas, to the rising cost of groceries is causing Kansans to feel financially insecure, and that translates to health-related costs.
The burden of health care is a growing source of anxiety for Americans, especially the uninsured.
Graham Bailey with Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is the largest insurer in Kansas, says even if you don't think you can afford health insurance,you might be surprised.
"Don't just automatically assume it is something you can't afford. I know with the price of gas, the price of food, the economy in general, people are tightening their belts and it's sometimes very difficult to think about buying something you might not use," Bailey said. "But again, insurance is there to protect all of your other assets and it's a very, very important thing to have."
And as the cost of health care goes up, so does the need for that protection.
Bailey says many people will come in thinking they can't afford health insurance and walk away with a full coverage plan that's within their budget.
And many insurance companies have programs for low income families, who don't qualify for Medicaid, like Blue Cross Blue Shields' "Value Blue", which insures those who make up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level for about half the cost.
For kids, there are even more options.
About 70 percent of uninsured children in the state of Kansas are eligible for free coverage under the Healthwave program, which is administered through Medicaid.
It covers kids in families who make up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
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