Group Health Plans

• The most common way to obtain family health insurance coverage is to work for an employer that provides a group health insurance plan. Health insurance coverage is typically offered by an employer after a period of 30 days or so after being hired. Employees are usually given a packet that contains information about the employer's health plan and options that are available. This can include selecting the type of coverage that is needed and listing any independents.
  
  

Individual or Private Plans

• When a group health insurance plan is not available from an employer, an individual or private health will be needed. An individual health insurance plan is typically provided by most private health insurance companies within a state. Private health plans do not have protections and guarantees that are provided by many state laws. This means that an applicant can be denied coverage or charged a higher premium for any health conditions that exist.
  
  

Medicaid

• Families that have a low income may be able to qualify for various types of federal programs that are available such as Medicaid. Medicaid is a state-run program that is federally funded and provides health insurance for families and individuals with low incomes. States administer the program and many require a co-payment for some services, but most health coverage is provided at no cost to family members.
  
  

State High-Risk Pools

• Families that cannot obtain health insurance coverage from the standard market because of a pre-existing health conditions can apply to a state's high-risk insurance pool. States that have high risk pools are the insurer of last resort for individuals and families that cannot obtain heath insurance coverage. The premiums for coverage are going to be much higher from a high-risk pool than from a private health insurance plan.
  
  

High-Deductible Health Plans

• Families that need health insurance coverage may choose to use a high deductible health insurance plan. A high deductible plan can also be used with a health savings account that can be used to pay for medical expenses and enjoy tax advantages. High Deductible health insurance plans are offered by many heath insurance companies such as The Golden Rule Insurance Company.