Being a single parent is challenging. It can be even more challenging to be a single parent looking for health insurance for both your children and you. Making sure that you and your family are covered for both emergencies and preventative care is important for your health and your wallet, and that means finding the right single parent health insurance.

Fortunately, the Affordable Care Act has brought health insurance within the reach of many people who would otherwise struggle to afford it. Health insurance for single moms and dads and their children have rapidly expanded in the last decade. There’s a wealth of federally subsidized and private options available for single parents. Here’s what you need to know about how to find single parent health insurance.

Types of health insurance plans for single parents

Where can you find affordable single parent insurance plans? These programs may come from a variety of sources, including governmental programs and private companies. Some of the common options for health insurance for single parents include:

• Employer-provided health insurance
• Individual of Family Health Insurance
• Medicaid
• The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Short term health insurance
• A parent’s health insurance

Employer-sponsored health insurance options

If your employer offers health insurance, you can get coverage for you – and typically your child – through your employer-sponsored health insurance. Employer-sponsored health insurance is purchased by an employer and offered to employees and their dependents. This is a great way for single parents to get health insurance coverage. Approximately 155 million individuals get health insurance from their employers, so it’s a very popular choice among Americans.

According to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), your contribution to your employer health insurance cannot be more than 9.5% of your household income for the year. Keep in mind that while you may still have the option to get a different insurance plan through the insurance marketplace, if your employer-sponsored plan is considered affordable, you may not be eligible for ACA subsidies.

Individual and family health insurance

You may be able to find health insurance for single fathers and mothers and their families through healthcare.gov or various private exchanges. The Affordable Care Act of 2010 expanded Medicaid for the 38 states that opted in, and it provides subsidies for lower-income households seeking coverage. With this assistance, you may be able to get individual insurance (for just you) or family health insurance that also covers your dependents.

During open enrollment, you can check on the health insurance exchange to see what individual or family health insurance options you have. It’s worth doing this regularly as your options can change with your personal situation. For instance, you may find that marriage affects your health insurance coverage, or have new opportunities open up if you add a dependent to the household, so it’s important to keep up with the different health insurance options.

If you’re planning on adding your child to your health insurance, you may be wondering who qualifies as a dependent. If you can claim someone as a dependent on your taxes, your new healthcare plan may extend to cover them, but it’s important to understand the requirements for adding your children as dependents. If you can’t find the right coverage from one source, you can have two health insurance plans. In this case, you’ll have primary insurance from one source that pays up to coverage limits. The remaining bill goes to a secondary insurance source which may cover some or all of the leftover cost up to its limit. Bills in excess of both limits may have to be paid out-of-pocket.

Government assistance programs for single parents

Government assistance programs play a crucial role in supporting single parents, offering a range of services and financial aid to help manage the unique challenges they face. These programs are designed to provide essential support in areas such as healthcare, nutrition, childcare, and housing, ensuring that single parents have the resources they need to care for their families. This section explores the various government assistance programs available to single parents, highlighting how they can access these resources to help meet their and their children’s needs.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a government program that provides low-cost or free healthcare coverage to certain populations. These include health insurance for single fathers and moms, children, seniors, people with disabilities, and more. The base program covers many forms of care. However, you may need to buy optional benefits like prescription drug plans separately.

Who qualifies for Medicaid? The criteria vary quite a bit, so your best bet is to look up health insurance by state. When the Affordable Care Act passed, some states expanded Medicaid coverage to bring insurance for single moms and dads whose household income is below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For a one-person household, that is a qualifying income of $13,590. The number rises for each extra person in the home.

Note that for Medicaid, eligibility is calculated off of your monthly income. If your income temporarily drops for several months, you may still qualify. This is true even if your annual income is higher than the cutoff.

However, even if you don’t meet the financial requirements, you can still apply for Medicaid. There are certain exemptions, including for people who are pregnant or have children. Since Medicaid has no open enrollment period, you can apply at any point in the year. Apply through your state’s Medicaid agency or a health insurance marketplace. You will need certain documents including:

• Proof of age
• Financial records
• Proof of citizenship and state residency
• Information on other health insurance coverage you may have

CHIP

The Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, is another option for health insurance for single moms and dads. Through CHIP you can expect to find free or low-cost health insurance for single parents, if you qualify. You can also expect that well-child doctor’s visits will be free with CHIP. There is also a cap placed on charges for other services; they are limited to 5% of a family’s annual income.

 To qualify for CHIP, you’ll need to demonstrate that your child is:

• Under 19 years of age
• A U.S. citizen or meets the state’s required immigration status
• Resident of the state where they’re applying
• Uninsured by a group plan, Medicaid, or other credible health insurance
• Eligible within the state’s household income requirements

Those requirements vary between 170% and 400% of the federal poverty line. In certain areas, CHIP has been expanded to offer health insurance for single moms and single fathers, too. You can read more about CHIP and Medicaid in our more detailed article.

Short term health insurance

Short-term health insurance is a great option for health insurance for single moms and dads who are between jobs or waiting for coverage to begin at the beginning of the year.

Short-term health insurance plans are not only a great way to fill any gaps in coverage you may have, but can help supply you and your family with a safety net in case you face a healthcare emergency.

This is a great option for single parent health insurance if you need some coverage quickly. Keep in mind that while short-term health insurance plans are cheap, they typically supply significantly less comprehensive coverage than an individual or employer-sponsored plan.

Your parent’s health insurance

In most states, you can stay on your parent’s health insurance plan until you are 26. This includes adult children who are married and/or have children. If this is an option you choose to go for, you need to make sure you are added to your parent’s health insurance plan (if you are not already on it) during open enrollment.

 Keep in mind that this health insurance does not extend to your child, just you. You will need to purchase health insurance for your child for them to be covered.

Considerations for children’s health insurance

When considering health insurance for children, especially in the context of single-parent households, several important factors come into play:

1. Comprehensive Coverage: Look for plans that offer comprehensive coverage, including preventive care, vaccinations, pediatric visits, emergency services, and hospitalization. It’s essential that the plan covers a wide range of healthcare needs typical for children, from routine check-ups to unexpected illnesses or injuries.
2. Affordability: Evaluate the cost of the insurance plan, including premiums, deductibles, copayments, and out-of-pocket maximums. Many single parents may qualify for subsidized plans through the ACA marketplace or state programs, which can make coverage more affordable.
3. Network of Providers: Ensure that the plan’s network includes pediatricians, specialists for children, and child-friendly healthcare facilities. Having access to a wide network of child-specific healthcare providers is crucial for comprehensive and specialized care.
4. Eligibility for Government Programs: Single parents should explore eligibility for government-assisted programs like Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provide low-cost or free healthcare coverage for children.
5. Flexibility and Convenience: Consider plans that offer flexibility in terms of healthcare providers and appointment scheduling. Plans that provide telehealth services can be particularly convenient for single parents managing tight schedules.
6. Additional Benefits: Some plans offer extra benefits like dental and vision care, which are important for children’s overall health and development.

Health insurance is an important and personal decision, as everyone’s needs are different. As a single parent looking for health insurance, you have a specific set of concerns for not only yourself but your child. With eHealth you can find the right health insurance for yourself and your family that meets your budgetary needs as well. eHealth’s experienced agents are entirely qualified to help you find a plan that works for whatever your situation is. As the first and largest online health insurance brokerage, eHealth let’s you easily compare a wide range of health insurance plans at no extra cost. Check out all individual and family health insurance plans available in your area or contact a licensed agent over the phone or via chat to get started today!

Open Enrollment and Special Enrollment Periods

Open Enrollment and Special Enrollment Periods are key times for enrolling in health insurance plans, each with specific criteria and timelines.

Open Enrollment Period: This is the annual period when you can enroll in a health insurance plan, make changes to your current plan, or switch plans. For most states, the Open Enrollment Period typically runs from November 1st to December 15th, with coverage starting on January 1st of the following year. It’s the ideal time for most individuals to review their health insurance needs and make necessary adjustments.

Special Enrollment Periods: These are windows outside the regular Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for health insurance due to specific life events. These qualifying events for special enrollment include situations like losing health coverage from your job, getting married, having a baby, or moving to a new area that changes your coverage options. Special Enrollment Periods generally last for 60 days from the date of the qualifying event.

It’s important to be aware of these enrollment periods as missing them could mean having to wait until the next Open Enrollment Period to get coverage, except in cases of qualifying events. Staying informed about these periods ensures that you maintain continuous and appropriate health insurance coverage.

Frequently asked questions about single parent health insurance

How much does single parent health insurance cost?

The cost of single parent insurance plans vary depending on many factors, such as age, location, number of dependents, and type of plan. The average cost for an individual’s health insurance plan in 2020 was $456 per month. However, very low-income single parents with Medicaid may only pay a few dollars for many forms of healthcare.

Finally, you will want to look closely at the fine print on bronze, silver, gold, and platinum-level healthcare plans. Depending on your health status and any medical challenges you anticipate, you may be better off looking for insurance with a higher monthly cost. These plans can offer more generous copays or a higher cap.

How does the Affordable Care Act (ACA) impact insurance options for single parents?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) significantly impacts insurance options for single parents, offering more accessible and affordable healthcare coverage choices.

1. Marketplace Access: The ACA provides single parents access to health insurance through state or federal marketplaces. These platforms allow for easy comparison of various insurance plans, ensuring that parents can find coverage that suits their family’s health needs and budget.
2. Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions: Under the ACA, insurance companies cannot deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions. This is particularly beneficial for single parents who or whose children might have ongoing health issues.
3. Essential Health Benefits: ACA-compliant plans must cover a set of essential health benefits, including pediatric services, preventive care, and maternity care – crucial for single-parent families.
4. Premium Subsidies: Single parents with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level may qualify for premium subsidies. These subsidies can significantly lower the cost of health insurance premiums, making healthcare more affordable.
5. Medicaid Expansion: In states that have expanded Medicaid under the ACA, single parents with lower incomes might qualify for this program, providing them with low-cost or free health insurance.
6. Cost-Sharing Reductions: Lower-income single parents may also be eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which lower out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and copays, making healthcare services more accessible.

The ACA, through these provisions, helps ease the financial burden of healthcare for single parents, ensuring they and their children have access to necessary medical care without excessive financial strain.

Can a single parent change their health insurance plan during the year?

Yes, a single parent can change their health insurance plan during the year if they experience a qualifying life event, such as a change in income, marital status, or the birth of a child, which triggers a Special Enrollment Period. Outside of these circumstances, changes can typically only be made during the annual Open Enrollment Period.