Possibly the best option for low income families searching for low cost health care insurance is a subsidy. When it comes to health care insurance, subsidies are federal- or state-sponsored heathcare plans for individuals who meet certain criteria. The federal or state government provides financial assistance to heathcare providers to begin and continue low cost or free heathcare to low income families.

If you are a low income family and believe a subsidy may be right for you, keep the following in mind:

Income requirements – Obtain the income requirements of the subsidy in which you are interested. Most subsidies base income requirements on the number of individuals in your family. Which means, in order to be eligible, you must meet a specific monthly income based on the number of family members.

Children – Some subsidies only offer heathcare to entire families if there are kids in the families. The age limit for kids is normally 19 years old.

Location – Most cities, or at least counties, have some type of health care insurance subsidy for low income families. However, if you don’t like the subsidy in your area it doesn’t always mean you can travel to the next city or county. Some low cost health care insurance subsidies only provide heathcare to low income families living in that specific area.

Your needs – What kinds of heathcare needs do you and your family members require? Most medical clinics sponsored by subsidies provide routine and treatment care for specific female and male needs (Pap smears, STD checks, family planning, screenings of reproductive organs, etc.) as well as limited treatment for common colds, the flu, allergic reactions, etc. However, actual low cost health care insurance plans (that don’t rely on walk-in clinics) are normally more thorough. Make sure you understand what care you can and can’t get before selecting a subsidy for your low income family.

Contact the Bureau of Primary Medical Care for a subsidy in your area.