| Many children, families and adults qualify for free- | | | | permanently disabled, there's a good chance you |
| or low-cost health insurance, and they don't even | | | | can qualify for Medicare. |
| know it! Your ability to get these state- and | | | | 5. Immigrants Needing Emergency Care. If you |
| federally-sponsored medical programs is usually | | | | have a medical emergency, you might be eligible |
| based on the size of your family and your income. | | | | for a state-funded Alien Emergency Medical |
| These programs vary state-by-state, so it's | | | | Program (AEM) which can pay for your |
| important to check with your local government | | | | emergency care. To be eligible for most states' |
| offices. However, many of the plans share similar | | | | AEMs, you must be low income, have an |
| qualifiers. Some groups of people that commonly | | | | emergency medical condition, and be: under 18, or |
| qualify for low- or no-cost health coverage include: | | | | have dependent children, or be older than 64, or |
| 1. Children and young adults under 19 years of | | | | disabled, or pregnant. In addition, many states and |
| age. Youth programs are common throughout the | | | | sometimes the federal government will cover |
| United States, and often include dental, vision and | | | | your costs for specific medical procedures and/or |
| mental health or substance abuse counseling in | | | | services. These programs are often partnerships |
| addition to basic medical coverage. 2. Pregnant | | | | between state health departments and national |
| women. Available through Medicaid - and often | | | | organizations like the Centers for Disease Control |
| through state departments of health - you can | | | | in Atlanta. These services might include things like: |
| qualify depending on your income and family size. | | | | 1. Mammograms 2. Pap Smears 3. End-Stage |
| 3. Seniors 65 years of age and over. People in this | | | | Renal Disease 4. Birth Control As we've said |
| category are usually covered by Medicare, a | | | | before, programs like these vary state-by-state, |
| health insurance program of the federal | | | | so it's important to check with your state or local |
| government. 4. Disabled People. If you're | | | | health department. |