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Getting Health Insurance
in Houston
The United States does not have a national health insurance
system. If you have no health insurance, you must pay for your medical care with your own money. This can be very expensive.
A doctor visit usually costs at least $70-$100. A visit to a hospital emergency room may cost $1,000. And if you
have to stay in the hospital your bill may be $5,000-$10,000 or even more.
Group or Individual
Health Insurance
If you have a job, the best and cheapest way to obtain health insurance is through
your employer. Most large companies offer health insurance to their employees. This is called Group Health Insurance.
Your employer will deduct a certain amount of money from your paycheck to pay for this insurance. If your employer does not provide group health insurance, you may decide to buy Individual Health Insurance
from an insurance company. There are many insurance companies that sell different types individual health insurance. You should
ask the insurance agent many questions so you understand the different types of plans. One insurance company you may want
to consider is Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Texas. Blue Cross Blue Shield is a non-profit insurance company that works
with the state government to provide services to uninsured Texans. It often costs less than other individual health insurance
plans.
Health Insurance for People with Low Incomes
If you have very low income
because the adults in your family are too old or too sick to work, you may qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid is a state program that helps pay for your food and medicine. You can apply for Medicaid
by filling out a form online or at any Texas Health and Human Services
Commission office. There are many offices in Houston. Call 713.767.2401 to find a location near you.
If there
is an adult in your family who is able to work, you may not be able to get Medicaid. But you may still be able to get inexpensive
insurance for your children under 19 years old. This is called “Children’s Health Insurance Program” or
CHIP. CHIP costs $15-$18 per month and covers all the children in your family. If you have CHIP
insurance, you will pay a very low price for doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, eye glasses, dental care, and
vaccinations. To apply, call 1.877.543.7669.
Note: CHIP is available to low-income people who
live in Texas, regardless of immigration status. The CHIP office will not give any information about you to U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services. If you have a very low income you may be able
to receive reduced-price health services at Harris County Hospital District hospitals and clinics. To apply for a discount
card (called a Gold Card), contact the Hospital District here
or call 713.566.6509. You will receive an individual Gold card for each child in your family. You must take the Gold
card with you to every doctor visit.
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