We offer free help from trained Howard Brown staff members. Our Insurance Enrollment Assisters can help you find a plan that fits your needs and your budget. Meet with an Insurance Enrollment Assister at any of our clinic locations and have daytime, evening, and weekend hours available. Call us to set up a time and location to meet that works for you.
Health insurance protects you from unexpected medical costs, gives you guaranteed benefits like free preventive care, and having it is still the law. Financial assistance is available, so insurance may be more affordable than you think.
We encourage you to schedule an appointment. Call 773.388.1600.
FAQs:
- I already have insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. What do I need to do?
- I have insurance through the Marketplace, and my premiums are paid by IDPH through the Ryan White Program. What do I need to do?
- I don’t have insurance. What do I need to do?
- I don’t have insurance and I’m HIV-positive.
- I have insurance through Medicaid. What do I need to do?
- I have insurance through Medicare (red, white and blue card). What do I need to do?
- I am an immigrant. What are my options?
I already have insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. What do I need to do?
Insurance companies change their plans every year. This means that your premiums, benefits, deductibles and other costs may change, and there may be other plans for 2020 that work better for your medical needs. We encourage you to log in to healthcare.gov to look carefully at your 2020 options. We are also happy to meet with you in person to help you make the best decision for yourself. You can also contact us by email at insuranceenrollment@howardbrown.org with questions.
I have insurance through the Marketplace, and my premiums are paid by IDPH through the Ryan White Program. What do I need to do?
It’s very important that you look at the new options available. Insurance companies change their plans every year, and the list of insurance plans eligible for payment through Ryan White Premium Assistance may change as well. You should get in touch with your case manager (or, if you don’t have one, one of our insurance navigators) to make sure that you are enrolled in the right coverage for 2020. Even if you keep the same plan, your premium may change and so you will need to update IDPH with the new information or your coverage may end up being cancelled.
I don’t have insurance. What do I need to do?
We are happy to meet with you to discuss your options. You may be eligible for help paying for insurance based on your income. You can call Howard Brown at 773.388.1600 to schedule an insurance appointment (it’s free!) or email our team directly at insuranceenrollment@howardbrown.org with any questions.
I don’t have insurance and I’m living with HIV – what should I do?
There is assistance available for most people who are living with HIV through the Ryan White program. If you’re not already enrolled in ADAP, our Patient Application Clinic can help you sign up for that, and our insurance team can help you sign up for a plan that is compatible with Ryan White assistance. Call 773.388.1600 to schedule those appointments. In most cases, eligible enrollees do not need to pay anything at all for their insurance premiums.
I have insurance through Medicaid. What do I need to do?
You do not need to do anything right now. Medicaid members renew their insurance exactly one year after they first enrolled. You will get a redetermination form in the mail when it is time to renew. However, you may be eligible to change your Medicaid insurance plan in October, and if you would like to do that, we are happy to help you do so.
I have insurance through Medicare (red, white and blue card). What do I need to do?
You do not need to do anything right now. However, open enrollment for Medicare Part C plans (Medicare Advantage) and Medicare Part D plans (prescription drug plans) is October 15 – December 7, and if you would like to look at your options, we can help you with that.
I am an immigrant. What are my options?
Most people who are legally present (for example: permanent residents, international students, people with work visas) are able to get help paying for insurance based on their income through the Health Insurance Marketplace. We can help you understand your options and what to do. We recognize that the US healthcare system is very complicated, and we’re committed to doing what we can to make sure you are able to access the care you need. Please bring copies of your immigration documents to your appointment, because we will need that information when we help you apply for insurance.
If you do not have legal documents, you are not able to get financial assistance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, so you would have to pay full price to get insurance. If you do not have legal documents and are living with HIV, we may be able to help you sign up for insurance with financial assistance in other ways, so please make an appointment to come in. No matter what, we are still committed to your healthcare, and you can always come to Howard Brown Health regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. If you are not already on the sliding fee scale at Howard Brown Health, let us know and we will help you sign up.