Being a mother is already a full-time job and we understand how hard it could be. The last thing you want on top of that is to worry about health coverage. That’s why we made this easy-to-follow article on health insurance for single moms. Learn everything from coverage options to saving money and the best companies in the marketplace through this guide. Let’s explore single mom health insurance.
Key Takeaways
- There are many different health coverage options available for single moms.
- Dependents on your policy, make your premiums
- 80% of applicants will qualify for free health plans through the marketplace.
If you prefer to watch videos instead of reading (trust, we understand) then we made a video just on this topic over at the Cuspide Insurance YouTube channel! Check out the video made by us here:
How can a single mom get health insurance?
There are many ways a single mom can get health insurance like through ACA plans (Obamacare), Medicaid/CHIP or your employer. Whichever route you go depends on your circumstances and goals. It’s important to note that you may only qualify for some of the programs on this list. Let’s dive into the 4 options for single mom health insurance and see which one is best for you.
The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, offers many affordable plans through the marketplace. These plans provide great coverage, including the “Essential Health Benefits” like doctor visits, maternity care, and vision and dental plans for children. Single parents can compare different ACA plans based on their budget and coverage needs and choose the best one for them. Also, depending on your income you may qualify for “Premium Tax Credits” which give you a reduction in your monthly premiums. By choosing Obamacare plans, single moms can get affordable coverage for them and their kids.
This is usually the best choice if you qualify and have a low enough income (or no income at all.) However, the provider network and covered services are not as good as ACA plans. Check with your state to see if you qualify. Benefits are very similar to marketplace insurance, things like prescriptions, emergency rooms, doctors, etc. Also, if you were denied Medicaid or had it cancelled you meet the requirements for the Special Enrollment Period through the ACA and can enroll in a plan. If you are a single mom with a bit higher income, then Medicaid may not be for you.
CHIP (Childrens Health Insurance Program) is a program that provides health insurance coverage to children in low-income families who do not qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. Think of this as coverage in the middle between Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. CHIP is mainly for children, but some states cover pregnant women as well. Single moms can get their children CHIP but may not get coverage themselves so keep that in mind. That’s why programs like ACA plans and Medicaid exist.
Another possible option is health insurance through your employer. If you are a working mom and have a job, check with your employer to see if they can offer you medical insurance. The only downside to this is that some employers may not offer this (or if you work for yourself etc.) Usually, you will get a marketplace plan at a discounted price and can add your child. Some let you decide what plan you want while others only have one to use and you can choose either to accept it or not.
So, out of the 4 options which one should you go with? This depends on your current income level. For lower income mothers, try and get coverage through Medicaid. For single moms working jobs, you should try and find an affordable plan through the health insurance marketplace. And that’s what we are going to focus on for the rest of this article. If you need help, contact us at Cuspide at (305) 970-8583!
The BEST health insurance for single moms
It’s important to know that under Obamacare (ACA) there are many different health insurance companies. Depending on your income, location, age, and household size will determine what you will end up paying. If you are making $25,000 a year with 1 dependent, then you will pay much less than a single mom making $50,000 a year with 1 dependent. If your budget allows it, you can try and choose from companies that offer vision and dental plans for children as a bonus. Let’s compare the best plans for single moms (in no order):
Ambetter
This is a great choice for single moms and their children because of the many affordable plans they offer. They have a large network of providers and have both EPO and HMO plans to choose from. Some of their plans include vision & dental for children as well as pediatric services.
Oscar
Great user-friendly mobile and website platforms for their clients. Usually has EPO plans (don’t need referrals to see a specialist) but on some locations have HMOs as well. Many low-cost health plans! Pediatric services are included with some of their plans as well as vision/dental for kids.
BlueCross & BlueShield
One of the bigger names and for all the right reasons. They are available in all the United States and have the largest network of providers and doctors for their clients. Pediatric insurance is included in some of these plans.
Aetna
Part of CVS Health, they are a strong choice and have many affordable health plans to choose from. Large HMO network to choose from. Great for single moms of all income levels.
Just keep these companies in mind when browsing through the health insurance marketplace. Some of these may not be in your area or may be the cheapest option for you. Remember, ALL the companies are good, not just these 4 that were mentioned. Consult with insurance agents to help find the best for you and your family.
How to get FREE health insurance for single moms
To get a free health plan as a single mom, you have to meet the minimum income for Obamacare. These are also called subsidized health plans. The closer you are to the minimum (depending on household size) will determine what you pay in premiums. For example, if it just you and 1 child, the minimum income for 2 people is $19,720. If you are close to that number, chances are that you will have many free health plans to choose from. Below are the ACA income limits for 2024 so you can see the minimum:
Claiming dependents on health insurance
The most important thing to know if you want to save money on your health insurance as a single mom is how dependents work in a policy. If you know how the system works, you can save money on your monthly premiums (dependents make the plan cheaper.) In this case, it will usually be your child. Let’s dive further.
If you are a single mom, you must figure out who is going to claim the kids as dependents on the taxes. This is important because whoever is reported in your taxes MUST be inside the health insurance application. The more dependents you have, the more premium tax credit you get (subsidy). Obamacare (ACA) is based on your income taxes and household size.
How does dependent health insurance work?
Like previously stated, ACA plans are based on household size in income taxes. For example, if you have 1 child but they will be claimed as dependent on their father’s side you cannot add them in your health insurance application so you must apply by yourself. However, if you (the mom) claim your child as a dependent, they will be in your application, even if they aren’t getting coverage. Adding dependents lowers your monthly premiums and gives you a chance at getting affordable health plans.
Get affordable health insurance for single moms
If you are a single mom, then contact Cuspide today to get medical coverage at a low-cost. With Cuspide you can compare and choose plans, find doctors, make payments, and more! Don’t wait and call (305) 970-8583!
Average cost of health insurance for mother and child
The average cost depends on your income level. For ACA insurance, the minimum for 2 people is $19,720. If you are around that you may pay very little, up to $0 a month. However, the further you get away from that number, the more your plan can cost. Those making less get more premium tax credit (subsidy) and those making more get less! Keep in mind that adding dependents can lower your monthly premiums. Find out your adjusted gross income and shop around the ACA marketplace to see if you find an affordable plan.
Health insurance plans for pregnant moms
If you are in this stage of motherhood and want coverage then it is possible. Once your child is born you can list them as dependent on your policy and they will get coverage as well. There are many options pregnant women can take like Obamacare (Affordable Care Act), Medicaid, or CHIP for their child. It all depends on your unique circumstances. Since this is mainly about ACA plans, we will be focusing on this. ACA insurance provides the best coverage out of all 3 (especially for children.)
What health insurance is best for pregnancy?
The best insurance for pregnancy is going to be Obamacare plans like BlueCross & BlueShield, Aetna, Ambetter, Oscar, and more. These are health insurance companies that offer many affordable plans. You can choose from their EPO or HMO plans. If you want to skip the PCP and go straight to a specialist, then an EPO plan might suit you best. Aim for $0 deductible plans and low out-of-pocket maximums as those are the best. Most companies have built in pediatric services for kids, so you don’t have to worry about that. We suggest contacting a licensed insurance agent/broker for more help!
Frequently asked questions
Let’s answer the most asked questions regarding single mom health insurance. If you don’t see your question asked below or have a specific question, feel free to contact us!
The best insurance plans for single moms are through the ACA marketplace. Inside Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) there are many different companies that offer affordable coverage. If you are a single parent with a low income, then you will most likely qualify for a free health plan. When looking for plans, focus on deductibles, copays, and out of pocket maximums. The lower, the better. Companies like Oscar, BlueCross & BlueShield, Aetna, Ambetter may be the best choice for single moms.
Single moms have many coverage options like Medicaid, Obamacare, and CHIP. The best choice will depend on your income. Moms with no income or low income should aim for Medicaid, and if they are denied or the coverage ended, they should go for ACA plans. Obamacare plans usually include vision and dental for children as well as pediatric services for them. Marketplace insurance is a great option because both you and your child can be covered. Contact an insurance agent/broker to help you save money on your health insurance.
The cheapest health insurance for single parents is an ACA plan with a subsidy. A subsidy (premium tax credit) is the help you receive monthly to help pay for your premiums. If you claim dependents on your taxes, they will be added into your health insurance application, and you will receive even more tax credits to make your health plan cheaper. If your goal is cheap then aim for a bronze health plan (or a silver plan because they have extra cost savings!) To find out if you qualify for subsidies, contact Cuspide.
Next steps to take
Now that you know a bit more about single mom health insurance and your options, you are ready to decide. We suggest starting by figuring out your income for this year and seeing if you are going to claim any dependents. Based on your household size, go to the income limits chart, and see if you qualify. From there choose from the many affordable health plans available.
If you want everything done for you, contact us at Cuspide! We take care of everything for you like qualifying, requirements, comparing and choosing plans, and more. Whichever route you go make sure you don’t stay without coverage. Health insurance for single moms can be an easy task if you do it with us.
