Why get health insurance?
Sure, you can get medical help without health insurance. But if you’re not covered, you could end up paying a lot for a treatment that could be free or cost very little if you were insured. Getting and maintaining health insurance for you and your family will not only help you stay healthier, it will save you a lot of money in the long run. Health insurance helps because:
1. It can protect you from huge medical bills if you get sick or injured.
Imagine what would happen if you or a family member were in an accident and had to pay for all the medical bills yourself. Medical expenses add up quickly, and having health insurance can mean the difference between paying a few hundred dollars and paying tens of thousands for an emergency room visit, surgery, or other treatment.2. Children with health insurance are healthier.
Insured children are more likely to receive important preventive care such as immunizations and routine screenings. With regular checkups and preventive care, health problems can be taken care of before they become serious. Healthier children perform better academically and miss fewer days of school.3. You could get better quality care with health insurance than on your own.
Insurance networks provide high-quality doctors and health professionals to treat you when you become sick or injured. They can help you choose the best treatment option and you don’t have to worry about paying for all of it.
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Health Insurance Links
Private Health Insurance Links
Earn Benefits>>
This site offers detailed and easy-to-understand descriptions of a variety of public health insurance and nutrition programs that could be available to your family. Find out quickly if you qualify for a program by checking out its eligibility chart.
The Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access (OCHIA)>>
OCHIA offers valuable information on free and low-cost public health insurance programs that can help you pay for healthcare for you and your family. Visit the web site or call 1-866-432-5849.
New York State Department of Health>>
The New York State Department of Health provides a list of health insurance programs with links.
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene>>
You and your family could be eligible for free health services in New York City. Search a list of clinics where you can get help filling out an application for public health insurance programs.
The Beehive: Paying for Healthcare>>
Learn the basics of Medicaid, Medicare, and other public health insurance options that could be available for you and your family. Enter your zip code to find local programs.
Private Health Insurance Links
Low-cost Health Insurance through Healthy New York>>
This program offers low-cost health insurance to working individuals and families who are not eligible for government or employer-subsidized health insurance. Visit the web site or call 1-866-HEALTHY NY (1-866-432-5849).
Search for Healthcare Programs and Insurance>>
This Health Information Tool for Empowerment (HITE) allows you to search a database of thousands of organizations providing health and social services for uninsured, underinsured, and low-income individuals. An online calculator can help you determine if you’re eligible for one of New York’s free or low-cost health insurance programs. Visit the web site or call 1-866-370-HITE (4483).
The Beehive: Paying for Healthcare>>
Do you know about all your health insurance and healthcare payment options? Learn about the four types of private health insurance—HMO, PPO, FFS, POS—and local health programs that might be available to you.
Simple Guide to Health Insurance>>
This helpful guide breaks down different health insurance options, offers questions to ask yourself when deciding on health insurance for your family, and provides definitions to common terms used by insurance networks.
