Virginia residents are among the least insured in the United States. With an increasing level of unemployment and worsening economic conditions due to the drop in housing prices, Virginians have limited options for public assistance. However, the state does have one of the most comprehensive healthcare plans for young women with infant children and/or dependents. Other public-private partnerships in the state have been formed in the last several years to address continuing health disparities. The United States Census estimates that nearly one million Virginians are currently uninsured.
Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) — also known as children’s Medicaid, is Virginia’s program to help families provide health insurance to their children. Since the state has one of the highest populations of pregnant teenagers in the country, FAMIS was designed specifically for teenage moms who have limited income. FAMIS covers doctor visits, hospital and emergency care, check-ups, prescription drugs, vision, dental and mental health benefits.
VHCF was initiated in 1992 by the Virginia General Assembly and its Joint Commission on Health Care to promote and fund innovative public-private partnerships that increase access to primary care for Virginia’s uninsured and medically underserved. As a public/private partnership, VHCF combines the private sector with the resources and institutional infrastructure of the public sector. VHCF works on multiple fronts to increase access to care for Virginia’s uninsured and medically underserved.
According to statistics provided by the Virginia Department of Health, one in six Virginians are without health insurance. The mortality rate in the state is now climbing due to an increase in preventable illnesses that might have been avoided or contained if more of its residents had readily available access to affordable health insurance coverage.
The state of Virginia has expanded its network of free community health clinics, prescription assistance programs and mental health services. However, another disparity is becoming more evident in the state, since eligibility for these and other public services in the state are contingent upon income. But for many Virginians, the minimum income requirement is below the threshold for Medicare / Medicaid health services, but too high for public assistance in the state.
Virginia Individual Health Insurance
With the fact that many of today’s businesses no longer offer health insurance to employees, individuals in Virginia are suddenly finding themselves let go from jobs that offered group health insurance. As a Virginia resident, individual health insurance is an affordable option you should consider. Your ability to buy individual health coverage may depend on your health status. There are certain circumstances, however, when you must be allowed to buy individual health coverage. In general, companies that sell individual health insurance in Virginia are free to turn you down because of your health status and other factors. When applying for individual coverage, you may be asked questions about health conditions you have now or had in the past. Depending on your health status, insurers might refuse to sell you coverage or offer to sell you a policy that has special limitations on what it covers.
Virginia Group Health Insurance
Group health insurance in Virginia is sold to businesses and organizations that then provide coverage to their employees and members. These group and business health insurance plans are inexpensive when compared to individual or family coverage, because the cost of medical services can be spread among a larger group of people. Since the risk associated with small group health insurance is lower for the insurance company, they are also more willing to underwrite policies for those with pre-existing conditions. In fact, all small group health insurance plans are required to be guaranteed issue according to federal law.
Virginia Family Health Insurance
Choosing quality, affordable health insurance in Virginia can seem impossible at first. However, once you know what to look for it is easy enough to compare policies and choose the one that is best for you and your family’s needs. Family health insurance is one of the best ways to protect their health. Normally, family health insurance plans consist on an individual (usually a parent or other adult) adding immediate family members to their policy. Affordable family health insurance usually costs less than having a separate health insurance policy for each person. Also, a family health insurance plan usually has a higher coverage cap or lower combined deductible than an individual one.
Virginia Short Term Health Insurance
Temporary circumstances don’t need to leave you or your family uninsured. With short term health insurance, you will be protected if a medical emergency strikes. Cheap short term health insurance in Virginia is similar to standard health insurance, except that temporary health insurance can last anywhere from thirty days to one year. A short term health insurance plan may be for you if there is a short gap in your insurance. For example, if you lost your job and have begun searching for new employment with health insurance benefits, affordable temporary health insurance can help bridge the gap. Short term health insurance coverage is also suitable for people who are recent college graduates or on strike. With affordable short-term health insurance, you have time to compare and contrast individual health plans and make it through the waiting period without feeling desperate.
Virginia Student Health Insurance
When attending college in Virginia, it is very important to have student health insurance. Many colleges and universities require proof of health insurance for students; even if yours does not, cheap student health insurance will probably end up paying for itself. While you may be young and healthy now, sudden illness and accidents can happen. In that case, you will be very happy if you have student health insurance. Don’t end up graduating with medical debt in addition to student loans!
