As consumers search for affordable health insurance, price is their top priority. A general conception among consumers is that cheap health plans should not be expensive, the cheapest health plan available in the market is your goal. However, this approach is not good. Sometimes paying for a cheap health insurance plan but still not getting the required level of coverage just results in wasting money.

With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the reach of affordable health plans will increase. Or at least, this is what is believed to be the objective of the health reforms. However, many consumers are still confused about how things would work. In this article, we will discuss some detailed options that consumers can try while looking to shop for affordable health plans.

To get affordable health insurance plans, consumers need to take certain things. The first of these is to know the options in the particular state of residence. There are many programs run by the state and federal governments that may be suitable for consumers. Knowing the options is quite important. The next thing would be to understand the terms and conditions of all the programs and check the eligibility criteria for each of them. Additionally, consumers should be aware of their rights after the implementation of health reforms, and within a few days, they may qualify for a particular program or be allowed to take advantage of a particular health insurance plan. If consumers take these steps, there’s no reason consumers can’t get an affordable health plan that can meet their health care needs.

Let’s take a look at some options related to statewide affordable health insurance plans:

State Administered Affordable Health Insurance Programs in California

When considering California, there are three affordable health insurance plans run by the state government. Consumers can surely take advantage of these if they are eligible for the benefits.

• Higher Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP)

This program is very helpful and offers limited health benefits to California residents. If consumers are unable to purchase health plans due to a pre-existing medical condition, they can see if they qualify for this program and get benefits.

• Healthy Families Program

The Healthy Families Program offers Californians low-cost medical, dental and vision coverage. This is primarily for children whose parents earn too much to qualify for public assistance. This program is administered by MRMIP.

• Access Program for Infants and Mothers (AIM)

The Access for Infants and Mothers program provides prenatal and preventive care for low-income pregnant women in California. It is administered by a five-person board that has established a comprehensive benefits package that includes hospital and outpatient care for program members.

Some facts about affordable health insurance in Florida

While discussing affordable health insurance options in Florida, consumers may want to think about the options listed below:

• Floridians who have lost employer group health insurance may qualify for COBRA continuation coverage in Florida. At the same time, Floridians who lost group health insurance due to involuntary termination of employment that occurred between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 may qualify for a federal tax credit. This credit helps pay state or COBRA continuation coverage premiums for up to nine months.

• Floridians who have been without insurance for 6 months may be eligible to purchase a limited health benefit plan through Cover Florida.

• The Florida Medicaid program can be tried by Floridians with low or modest household income. Through this program, pregnant women, families with children, people with medical needs, the elderly, and people with disabilities can get help.

• The Florida KidCare program can help Florida children under the age of 19 who are not eligible for Medicaid and are currently uninsured or underinsured.

• A federal tax credit to help pay for new health coverage for Floridians who lost their health coverage but receive benefits from the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program. This credit is called the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC). At the same time, retired Floridians ages 55 to 65 who receive pension benefits from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) may qualify for the HCTC.

Some facts about affordable health insurance in Virginia

When discussing affordable health insurance options in Virginia, consumers should consider their rights:

• Virginians who have lost their employer group health insurance can apply for COBRA or state continuation coverage in Virginia.

• Virginians should note that they have the right to purchase individual health plans from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield or CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield.

• The Virginia Medicaid program helps Virginians with low or modest household income qualify for free or subsidized health coverage. This program helps pregnant women, families with children, the elderly and the disabled.

• Family Access to Health Insurance Security (FAMIS) helps Virginia children under the age of 18 who do not have health insurance.

• In Virginia, the Every Woman’s Life program offers free screening tests for breast and cervical cancer. Through this program, if women are diagnosed with cancer, they may be eligible for treatment through the Virginia Medicaid Program.

Some facts about affordable health insurance in Texas

When discussing affordable health insurance options in Texas, consumers should consider their rights:

• Texans who have group insurance in Texas cannot be denied or limited in terms of coverage, or required to pay more, due to health status. Also, Texans who have group health insurance cannot have the pre-existing condition exclusion.

• In Texas, insurers can’t drop coverage for Texans when they get sick. At the same time, Texans who have lost their group health insurance but are HIPAA-eligible can apply for COBRA or state continuation coverage in Texas.

• The Texas Medicaid program helps Texans with low or modest household income qualify for free or subsidized health coverage. Through this program, pregnant women, families with children, the elderly and people with disabilities are helped. At the same time, if a woman is diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, she may be eligible for medical care through Medicaid.

• The Texas Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers subsidized health coverage for certain uninsured children. Other children in Texas can stay on their parent’s health insurance policy as dependents until age 26. This clause has been implemented by health reforms.

• The Texas Breast and Cervical Cancer Control program offers free cancer screening tests for qualified residents. If a woman is diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through this program, she may qualify for medical care through Medicaid.

Thus, consumers should consider state options when looking for affordable health coverage. It goes without saying that shopping for and being well equipped with the necessary information is very important to make sure that consumers have the right type of health plans.