Another Health Insurance Option: Can You Now Get Medicaid? Can Your Kids Get Health Insurance?

Signing up for insurance exchanges is in the last two weeks (for this sign-up period): you have a deadline of March 31 to sign up for insurance on the private exchange, until it opens up again in the fall. But many states have taken the option to expand Medicaid, the public health insurance for poor people.  There is no deadline for Medicaid.  However, some states refused to expand their Medicaid coverage, and some people in those states are stuck: they have incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, but too low to buy insurance on the new exchanges.  For states where it's expanded, however, many people now qualify and can sign up for Medicaid anytime without deadline.

How do you find out?  See this page, and pick out your state for more specific information. When you choose your state, you will get a short rundown on whether or not your state expanded Medicaid.  You will also get a link to your state's Medicaid page with more specific income and qualification information. 

Also, some low-income children may qualify for CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program.  Find out if your kids qualify in your state.   If you need more information about CHIP and how to apply in your state, call 1-877-543-7669.