Alabama Individual and Family Health Insurance

Obtain your Alabama health insurance plans in some of the following metropolitan areas: Anniston-Oxford, Auburn, Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan, Gadsden, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery and others. 

Alabama Health Insurance 101

Right now, in the great state of Alabama, there are 4.5 million residents. The average household income for Alabamians is currently $40,232. Many of you get your insurance coverage at your place of work; however, approximately 171, 898 of you seek Alabama health insurance coverage on the individual market.

Statistically speaking, in 2006, the typical monthly cost for a standard low-deductible plan was $210 for individual health insurance and $622 for a family health insurance plan. On the other hand, the cost of a similar plan obtained by an employee through a large or small business health insurance plan was $907 for individuals and $2,960 for families.

If you break it down and compare the prices of Alabama health insurance coverage, you will see that the prices on the individual market are actually lower than they are for those who obtain their Alabama medical insurance in the group market.  Presently only 62.5 percent of private sector firms offer health insurance coverage and only 48.3 percent of firms with 50 or fewer employees provide small business health insurance.  Consequently, greater numbers of people are seeking Alabama health insurance on the individual market, and InsureMonkey is here to help as your Alabama health insurance agent.

Alabama Health Insurance Providers

Alabama’s High-Risk Pool

Individuals with serious and ongoing medical conditions that cannot find Alabama health insurance coverage market are termed by the state legislature as belonging to a high-risk pool. The state forms a “pool” of similar individuals to help offset the cost of coverage with a government subsidy. In 2006 in Alabama, there were approximately 2,687 people enrolled in this health insurance pool.

The approximate monthly cost for participants in Alabama’s high-risk pool is $558 per person, and the state picks up the remaining costs.
If you have been denied Alabama health insurance coverage and would like to find out about joining Alabama’s high-risk pool, you can get information by contacting the Alabama Health Insurance Plan (http://www.seib.state.al.us/2K2/ahip/aa.asp) at (877) 619-2447 or (334) 833-5907.

Alabama’s Uninsured

In Alabama right now, there are over 607,559 residents who are uninsured. Many of you cannot obtain insurance because your employer does not offer any large or small business health insurance. Some of you are presently entrepreneurs, and finding self employed health insurance is not always the easiest feat.  There are also others among you who find yourselves without a job or between jobs.  It is certain that these situations are likely to be temporary. Don’t lose hope. With some assistance from InsureMonkey, your proud health insurance agent, you can access the affordable health insurance you need.

It is our goal to help curtail the number of uninsured Alabamians. Though this is a large goal, we hope that the information presented on this site, as well as our endeavors to help finding affordable health insurance easy, can change the face of Alabama health insurance.  If you have a friend or relative, tell them to visit us, and we will do all we can as their health insurance agent to help.

Alabama SCHIP

The SCHIP program is sponsored at the federal and state levels and is designed to help pay for health insurance premiums for children who have low-income parents.  There are some basic guidelines that must be met before a child qualifies for the program. The family income must fall between 100 and 200 percent of the poverty rate. What this means is that a family that earns between $17,170 and $34,340 and has uninsured children can qualify based on income.  Currently, Alabama’s SCHIP program helps 67,715 needy children.

If you want to find out more about Alabama’s SCHIP plan, contact Covering Alabama Kids by clicking http://www.adph.org/CAKF/ or by phoning (334) 206-5568.

Medicaid in Alabama

Another joint federal and state program is Medicaid. Under this program, Alabama health insurance is available to families with low income, pregnant women, children, disabled individuals, the elderly and nursing home residents.

Income eligibility:
•    Children
      o    Infants Ages 0-1:  $23,408 or 133% of the Federal Poverty Level
      o    Children Ages 1-5:  $23,408 or 133% of the Federal Poverty Level
      o    Children Ages 6-19:  $1,600 or 100% of the Federal Poverty Level
•    Parents
      o    Non-Working:  $1,968 or 11% of the Federal Poverty Level
      o    Working:  $4,392 or 25% of the Federal Poverty Level
•    Pregnant Women
      o    $23,408 or 133% of the Federal Poverty Level

For more information, contact the Alabama Medicaid Agency (http://www.medicaid.state.al.us/) at (334) 242-5000.

(Facts throughout this page provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation at www.statehealthfacts.org and by The New Health Insurance Solution at www.tnhis.com.  Commentary provided by InsureMonkey.)

State Resources

State of Alabama:
Website: http://alabama.gov

Executive Office:
Governor: Bob Riley (R) (334) 242-7100
Head of Health Department: Donald E. Williamson, State Health Officer, Department of Public Health
 
Congressional Delegation:
Senators:
Sen. Richard C. Shelby (R) (256) 772-0460
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) (202) 224-4124
 
Medicaid:
Website: http://www.medicaid.state.al.us
Medicaid Director: Carol Herrmann-Steckel, Commissioner

Department of Insurance:
Website: http://www.aldoi.gov/
Commissioner Jim L. Ridling (334) 269-3550