Government Healthcare - Resources

If you lost healthcare coverage with UNITE HERE HEALTH, there are available resources to help you.

Important Links

Alaska

COVID-19 Vaccine resources

Government resources

Additional Resources

Alaska Public Assistance

Arizona

How to sign up for Medicaid

Web: https://www.azahcccs.gov/

California

If you live in California and lost healthcare coverage with UNITE HERE HEALTH, you have healthcare options.

Available options

Want a non-Kaiser plan?

County of residence Name of organization By phone Website
Los Angeles County LA County Dept of Public Social Services (866) 613-3777 LA County Dept of Public Social Services Website
Los Angeles County LA Care (888) 439-5124 LA Care Website
Orange County Cal Win (800) 281-9799 Cal Win Website
Riverside Riverside County   Riverside County Website
San Bernardino County     San Bernardino County Website
Monterey County   (866) 323-1953 Monterey County Website
San Francisco County     https://www.sfhsa.org/services/health-food/medi-cal
San Diego County     https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/hhsa/programs/ssp/medi-cal_program/index.html

About Medi-Cal

Medi-Cal covers essential health services like doctor visits, hospitalization, mental health, vision, dental, and some prescriptions. Please note, due to the high volume of new applications, the process is taking longer than normal, and the steps mentioned below may be done out of order if helps to expedite coverage.

The process for verifying your Medi-Cal eligibility, from the time your completed application is received to when you receive your Benefits Identification Card (BIC), normally takes 45 days.

The general process for verification is as follows:

  1. Apply – complete the application, and submit either in person, by mail, by phone, or online
  2. Receive a Notification of Likely Eligibility by mail
  3. Your county's social services office may contact you by mail or by phone to request paper verification if income, citizenship, and other criteria cannot be verified electronically
  4. Receive Final Notice of Action notifying you of whether or not you can receive Medi-Cal
  5. Receive your BIC – when you receive your BIC in the mail, you are able to use the many Medi-Cal benefits available to you

What to include with your application:

  • Proof of the identity of the head of household
  • Proof of U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Nationalization and identification for all applicants, go to http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/pages/dra.aspx
  • Social Security number for each person for whom application is made
  • Proof of income
  • Proof of the value of real and personal property

 

Colorado

How to sign up for Medicaid

Web: https://www.healthfirstcolorado.com/apply-now/

Connecticut

How to sign up for Medicaid in Your State

Web: https://www.accesshealthct.com/AHCT/cthix/#/home or https://www.connect.ct.gov/access/jsp/access/Home.jsp

Tel: (855) 805-4325

Florida

How to sign up for Medicaid

Web: https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/

Georgia

How to sign up for Medicaid

Web: https://medicaid.georgia.gov/how-apply

Illinois

Illinois offers qualifying residents Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps/link), and financial assistance/temporary assistance for families (TANF) to help with food, bills/rent, and more. To see if you qualify and apply online visit: https://abe.illinois.gov or https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=33698

Wait times can be long but you can also apply via telephone by calling (800) 843-6154.

Once you apply, expect to receive a call (the phone number that they put on their application is very important) from ABE stating what you qualify for. You can also check status on the profile you create online.

Illinois ACA Exchange

https://getcovered.illinois.gov/resources/faqs.html

For citizens and U.S. nationals; If you don’t already have health insurance through an employer, Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Insurance Program (CHIP), or other source that provides qualifying health coverage.

  • People with pre-existing conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure cannot be denied coverage or charged more for their health insurance.
  • People who do not receive health insurance through their employer, or through federal programs like Medicare or Medicaid, can buy health insurance through online insurance exchanges.
  • Health plans must cover essential health benefits including cancer treatment and follow-up care.
  • May be less expensive than COBRA.

Additional Resources

Healthcare for Kids

Waiver Programs for disabled, brain injury, elderly, HIV/AIDS

Crisis/Emergency: Mental Health Partners/Providers

Find a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (Helpful tip: search by your zip code)

Chicago free dental/sliding scale dental care

Financial assistance, rent, utility, and food assistance

Discount pharmacy programs

Indiana

Medicaid: Qualifications are based on low income for 2020. To apply for SNAP/cash assistance or healthcare coverage, visit https://fssabenefits.in.gov/bp/#/or https://www.in.gov/medicaid/members/52.htm. Phone: (800) 403-0864

Hoosier Healthwise: This program is for children up to age 19 and pregnant women. The program covers medical care like doctor visits, prescription medicine, mental health care, dental care, hospitalizations, and surgeries at little or no cost to you. Learn more: https://www.in.gov/medicaid/members/174.htm

Additional Resources

Federally Qualified Health Center

Get primary care and dental services at HealthLinc Community Health Clinic

Louisiana

How to sign up for Medicaid

Web: http://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/subhome/48

Maryland

How to sign up for Medicaid

Web: https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/shop-and-compare/medicaid-basics-and-benefits/

Tel: (855) 642-8572

Massachusetts

How to sign up for Medicaid in Your State

Web: https://www.mahealthconnector.org/

Tel: (877) 623-6765

Apply for MassHealth, the Health Safety Net, or the Children's Medical Security Plan

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-masshealth-the-health-safety-net-or-the-childrens-medical-security-plan

For Massachusetts ONLY, the following community agencies and resources can help you if you need assistance applying for coverage through MassHealth/The Connector:

Connector and MassHealth assistance orgs

City Organization Phone Website Navigator Languages Additional Services/Programs offered
Boston Enhance Asian Community on Health - Franklin Street (857) 472-3224 http://www.each4asian.or/ Chinese - multiple dialects, English Assistance with food, medicine, rent, and other daily expenses if eligible
Cambridge/Medford Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) - Cambridge Hospital (617) 665-1100 https://www.challiance.or g/help-center/financial-assistance Multiple languages Food access; Housing; Community resources
Dorchester Bowdoin Street Health Center (617) 754-0100 https://www.bidmc.org/lo cations/bowdoin-street-health-center/about-bowdoin-street-health-center English, Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, French, Vietnamese, Polish Food access; Workforce development classes
Quincy South Cove Community Health Center (617) 318-3300 http://www.scchc.org/ Chinese, English WIC
Quincy Asian Resources Inc. (QARI) (617) 472-2200 https://quincyasianresources.org/ Chinese - Cantonese, Chinese - Mandarin, English ESOL classes; Workforce development; Food stamps; Low-income housing; Legal representation
Everett Joint Committee for Children's Health Care in Everett (617) 394-2414 https://jcchce.org/ French, Haitian Creole, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish N/A

Michigan

In Michigan, there are many healthcare programs available to children, adults, and families. Specific coverages may vary depending on the program and the applicant's citizenship status (some non-citizens may be limited to coverage of emergency services only). See if you qualify: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_4860-35199--,00.html

Mississippi

How to sign up for Medicaid

Web: https://medicaid.ms.gov/medicaid-coverage/how-to-apply/

Nevada

How to sign up for Medicaid

Web: https://accessnevada.dwss.nv.gov/public/landing-page

New York

How to sign up for Medicaid

• Medicaid Metro Plus NY (855) 809-4073
• Medicaid Hispanic Federation NY (833) 656-2626
• Medicare Metro Plus NY (833) 965-1526

 

Ohio

How to sign up for Medicaid

Web: https://www.ohiomh.com/

Pennsylvania

COMPASS is an online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for many health and human services programs like healthcare coverage, cash assistance, and food stamps. See if you qualify: https://www.compass.state.pa.us/Compass.Web/Screening/DoIQualify#/SelectBenefits

Medicaid information: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/Medical-Assistance.aspx

Rhode Island

How to sign up for Medicaid

Web: https://healthsourceri.com/

Tel: (855) 840-4774

Tennessee

How to sign up for Medicaid

Web: https://tenncareconnect.tn.gov/services/homepage

Texas

How to sign up for Medicaid

Web: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/medicaid-chip

Virginia

How to sign up for Medicaid

Web: https://coverva.org/expansion/

Tel: (855) 242-8282

Washington, D.C.

How to sign up for Medicaid

Web: https://dchealthlink.com/individuals/medicaid

Tel: (855) 532-5465

West Virginia

How to sign up for Medicaid

Web: https://dhhr.wv.gov/bms/Members/Apply/Pages/default.aspx

National Medicare information for age 65 or older

How to sign up for Medicare

Medicare is an insurance program for people age 65 or older. Certain people younger than 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, including those with disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure. Please note, Medicare provides individual coverage only.

Information

How to apply

  • Online: https://www.medicare.gov
  • Phone: Call (800) 633-4227 (Representatives are available M-F/7am-7pm)
    • If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call TTY (800) 327-0778
  • In person: Make an appointment at your local Social Security Office

When to sign up for Medicare without penalty

Initial enrollment period: The period to enroll for Medicare is 7 months long, occurring three months prior to the month of your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday, and the three months after the month of your 65th birthday.

Parts of Medicare

Medicare comes in four Parts: A, B, C and D. Each part covers a different aspect of your healthcare costs.

Part A: Hospital Insurance

  • Covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care
  • No cost to you (in most cases)

Part B: Medical Insurance

  • Covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services
  • Costs a monthly premium

**Enroll in Medicare Part B at the same time as Part A to avoid penalties unless you have continued insurance coverage through your employer or during the General Enrollment period of January 1-March 31**

Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans

  • Covers all services included in A and B, and in some cases, D
  • Provided by a private company
  • Learn more to decide what option is right for you: https://www.medicare.gov/
  • Premiums vary

Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage

  • Adds prescription drug coverage
  • Premiums vary

Medigap Supplemental Policy

  • Helps to cover copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles not covered by Medicare Part A and Part B
  • Premiums vary