Single mothers most likely lack health insurance across all income levels, but their rates have declined recently, thanks to Obamacare. The most recent data showed that 13.4% lacked health insurance compared to just 6.7% of households with two parents lacked insurance. While many Americans have access to employer-sponsored health insurance, those who don’t (or can’t afford the plan) run the danger of not getting the necessary medical care or paying huge medical expenses out of pocket. Finding inexpensive health insurance for your family might be challenging if your company doesn’t provide it, you’re looking for work, are self-employed, or are unable to work. Here is a list of single moms’ health insurance choices, along with guidance on how to pick the one that will best meet your family’s needs:

1. Medicaid
   Medicaid is a federal program that offers low-income adults, kids, pregnant women, seniors, and persons with disabilities free or inexpensive health insurance. Medicaid eligibility requirements differ from state to state. Family size, age, handicap, and household income are deciding criteria. You must be an American national, a citizen of the United States, or have lawful immigration status to be eligible for all benefits. You can check your eligibility on this page. If you do not meet the income requirements for Medicaid, you should still apply, especially if you are expecting a child, have children, or have a disability, as you may qualify for Medicaid for one of these reasons. Medicaid does not have an open enrollment period, and you can apply at any time of the year. You have two options for applying: either through your state’s Medicaid department or the health insurance marketplace.
   State Medicaid programs must offer some mandatory benefits as per federal law, such as:

   —hospital inpatient and outpatient services are among them.
   —laboratory and X-ray examinations during doctor appointments
   —home healthcare services

   Prescription medicines, case management, physical therapy, and occupational therapy are optional benefits for each state to decide.

2. Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
   Another choice for single mothers to provide health insurance for their kids is the Children’s Health Insurance Program or CHIP. Children from households who do not qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford a private plan can receive medical treatment through the federal and state-run CHIP program.
   To be eligible for CHIP, a kid must:

   —less than 19 years old
   —medicaid ineligible and without insurance not protected by a reliable health insurance policy or a group plan
   —U.S. citizen or satisfy the qualifications for immigration
   —reside in the state where they are applying
   —meet the state-specific eligibility standards for household income. For expectant mothers and parents, certain states offer CHIP.

   You can visit the Medicaid & CHIP Eligibility Levels page to see if your children qualify for CHIP.

3. Healthcare.gov or state health insurance exchanges
   The Affordable Care Act, a federal law, was passed to offer health insurance to millions of uninsured Americans, including the creation of Healthcare.gov. Visit Healthcare.gov, also known as the health insurance “marketplace” or “exchange,” if you cannot afford health insurance. There might be a health insurance exchange in your state as well. You might qualify for subsidies or premium tax credits that will lower the cost of health insurance for your family, depending on your income and family size. You probably won’t be eligible for a subsidy if you have access to insurance via your work, but you can still buy a plan on the exchange. Go to Healthcare.gov and input your zip code to get started. You’ll see the policies you qualify for when you do this. You will be taken to your state’s website if it has its exchange. Every year, on November 1, open enrollment begins. To get coverage for the following year, you must enroll by December 15. However, you may be eligible for a particular enrollment period if you’ve had a significant life event such as:

   —losing your employer-sponsored health insurance is one of these instances.
   —moving after marriage
   —adopting a child or having a child

   You may have 60 days before or 60 days after the event to enroll, depending on your circumstances. You can fill out a quick form on Healthcare.gov to check if you qualify for a particular enrollment period.

4. Family health insurance
   Staying on a family’s health insurance plan can be a good alternative for young adults who are single parents to ensure their coverage. The ACA (Affordable care act) allows children to remain on their parent’s health insurance plan until they turn 26. Included in this are youngsters who are married and have their own families. Although Pennsylvania is an exception that covers a child for 31 days after birth on the mother’s plan, most states do not extend health insurance coverage to your children. If you choose this option and are not currently enrolled in your parent’s health insurance plan, you will need to do so during the open enrollment period. Your parents might ask at their workplace when this period is. You can often join or stay on your parent’s health insurance plan until age 26 as long as it covers dependents. You can use this option even if you are:

   —married
   —living apart from your parents
   —not reliant on your parents for money
   —attending a school
   —eligible for health insurance through your job
   —have a child (though your child will need separate health insurance)

   This coverage expires once you turn 26. When that occurs, you will be eligible for a special enrollment period through the healthcare.gov health exchange.
   

5. Another resources
   Community health clinics offer free or low-cost healthcare if you don’t have insurance and don’t qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. These facilities are available in urban and rural areas and offer general primary care, prenatal care, infant vaccines, and referrals to specialized treatment. Usually, the cost of these services will be determined by your income. Community health facilities that accept sliding scale payments are listed in the HHS Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) database. Even if you are unable to pay, you can still get care here. Visit the emergency room in your neighborhood if you or your child has a medical emergency. Regardless of whether you have health insurance, everyone who enters an emergency room must be stabilized and treated, according to federal law. This means that regardless of your financial situation, the emergency room will treat you and your family.