Government healthcare resources
If you lost healthcare coverage with UNITE HERE HEALTH, there are available resources to help you.
Choose the state where you live to view Medicaid and other resources in your area:
Alaska
Available options
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Medicaid
- Qualifications are based on low income. For more information, visit Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
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Medicare
- For senior and disabilities services visit Contact information for select DHSS programs and services.
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The Medicare Information Office is available by appointment only.
550 West 7th Avenue
Suite 1230
AnchorageTo schedule an appointment, call 907-269-3680.
Additional resources
California
If you live in California and lost healthcare coverage with UNITE HERE HEALTH, you have healthcare options.
Available options
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Kaiser Members
- Call Kaiser at 800-270-4095 or go to continuecoverage.kaiserpermanente.org for help enrolling in a Kaiser plan through Medi-Cal, Medicare, or Covered CA.
- Kaiser members who live in LA County can also get help from L.A. Care by calling 888-439-5124.
- If you need additional help paying for high medical costs at a Kaiser facility, call Kaiser’s Medical Financial Assistance program at 800-390-3507.
- If you need help with essentials like housing, childcare, or food, Thrive Local Connections can help connect you to resources in your community. Call 800-443-6328.
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Medi-Cal: California’s Medicaid program
Medi-Cal covers essential health services like doctor visits, hospitalization, mental health, vision, dental, and some prescriptions. Please note, due to the high volume of new applications, the process is taking longer than normal, and the steps mentioned below may be done out of order if helps to expedite coverage.
The process for verifying your Medi-Cal eligibility, from the time your completed application is received to when you receive your Benefits Identification Card (BIC), normally takes 45 days.
The general process for verification is as follows:
- Apply – complete the application, and submit either in person, by mail, by phone, or online.
- Receive a Notification of Likely Eligibility by mail.
- Your county's social services office may contact you by mail or by phone to request paper verification if income, citizenship, and other criteria cannot be verified electronically.
- Receive Final Notice of Action notifying you of whether or not you can receive Medi-Cal.
- Receive your BIC – when you receive your BIC in the mail, you are able to use the many Medi-Cal benefits available to you.
What to include with your application:
- Proof of the identity of the head of household.
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Nationalization and identification for all applicants. More information.
- Social Security number for each person for whom application is made.
- Proof of income.
- Proof of the value of real and personal property.
Find your county and follow the link:
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Los Angeles County
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Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services
- Website
- Phone: 866-613-3777
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L.A. Care
- Website
- Phone: 888-452-2273
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Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services
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Monterrey County
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MC-CHOICE
- Website
- Phone: 866-323-1953
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MC-CHOICE
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Orange County
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CalWIN
- Website
- Phone: 800-281-9799
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CalWIN
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Riverside County
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Covered California
- Website
- Phone: 800-300-1506
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Covered California
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San Bernardino County
- BenefitsCal
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San Francisco County
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San Francisco Human Services Agency
- Website
- Phone: 415-558-4700
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San Francisco Human Services Agency
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San Diego County
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County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency
- Website
- Phone: 866-262-9881
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County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency
Want a non-Kaiser plan?
| County of residence | Contact |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles County |
Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services |
|
L.A. Care |
|
| Monterrey County |
MC-CHOICE |
| Orange County |
CalWIN |
| Riverside County |
Covered California |
| San Bernardino County |
BenefitsCal |
| San Francisco County |
San Francisco Human Services Agency |
| San Diego County |
County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency |
Illinois
Illinois offers qualifying residents Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps/Link), financial assistance, temporary assistance for families (TANF) to help with food, bills, rent, and more. To see if you qualify and apply online visit Application for Benefits Eligibility or Illinois Department of Human Services.
Wait times can be long, but you can also apply via telephone by calling 800-843-6154.
Once you apply, expect to receive a call (the phone number on the application is very important) from ABE stating what you qualify for. You can also check your status using the profile you create online.
Illinois ACA Exchange
The Illinois ACA Exchange is for citizens and U.S. nationals, if you don’t already have health insurance through an employer, Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Insurance Program (CHIP), or other source that provides qualifying health coverage.
- People with pre-existing conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure cannot be denied coverage or charged more for their health insurance.
- People who do not receive health insurance through their employer, or through federal programs like Medicare or Medicaid, can buy health insurance through online insurance exchanges.
- Health plans must cover essential health benefits including cancer treatment and follow-up care.
- May be less expensive than COBRA.
Additional Resources
- Healthcare for Kids
- Waiver Programs for disabled, brain injury, elderly, HIV/AIDS
- Crisis and emergency mental health partners and providers
- Find a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (Tip: Search by your ZIP Code)
- Chicago free dental/sliding scale dental care
Financial assistance, rent, utility, and food assistance
- Catholic Charities — Archdiocese of Chicago
- Illinois Department of Human Services
Discount pharmacy programs
Indiana
Medicaid
Qualifications are based on income.
To apply for SNAP, cash assistance, or healthcare coverage:
- Visit FSSA Benefits Portal
- Visit Indiana Medicaid
- Phone: 800-403-0864
Hoosier Healthwise
This program is for children up to age 19 and pregnant women. The program covers medical care like doctor visits, prescription medicine, mental health care, dental care, hospitalizations, and surgeries at little or no cost to you.
Additional Resources
Massachusetts
How to sign up for Medicaid
Massachusetts Health Connector
- Website
- Phone: 877-623-6765
Apply for MassHealth, the Health Safety Net, or the Children's Medical Security Plan
Michigan
In Michigan, there are many healthcare programs available to children, adults, and families. Specific coverage may vary depending on the program and the applicant's citizenship status. Some non-citizens may be limited to coverage of emergency services only.
See if you qualify: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Mississippi
How to sign up for Medicaid
Mississippi Division of Medicaid
- Website
- Phone: 800-421-2408
New Jersey
Available options
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New Jersey Health and Wellness
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NJ FamilyCare
- Website
- Phone: 800-701-0710
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Get Covered NJ
- Website
- Phone: 833-677-1010
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New Jersey Medicare Information and Referral Service
- Website
- Phone: 800-792-8820
Additional resources
- NJ Charity Care Program
- Local Health departments in the state of New Jersey
- Consumer Reports: Discount drug programs
- Find Low cost health centers
- Atlantic County Health Services
- Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers
- Mental Health Association of Atlantic County
- New Jersey Dental Clinic Directory
- Family Health Line: 800-328-3838
Pennsylvania
COMPASS is an online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for many health and human services programs like healthcare coverage, cash assistance, and food stamps.
Washington
How to sign up for Medicaid
Washington State Health Care Authority
- Website
- Phone: 877-501-2233
West Virginia
How to sign up for Medicaid
West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services
- Website
- Phone: 877-716-1212
National Medicare information for age 65 or older
How to sign up for Medicare
Medicare is an insurance program for people age 65 or older. Certain people younger than 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, including those with disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure. Please note, Medicare provides individual coverage only.
How to apply
-
Online
-
Phone
800-772-1213 • TTY: 800-327-0778
-
In person
Make an appointment at your local Social Security Office.
Find your local office:
- Online
- Phone: 800-772-1213
When to sign up for Medicare without penalty
Initial enrollment period: The period to enroll for Medicare is 7 months long, occurring three months prior to the month of your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday, and the three months after the month of your 65th birthday.
Parts of Medicare
Medicare comes in four Parts: A, B, C and D. Each part covers a different aspect of your healthcare costs.
-
Part A: Hospital Insurance
- Covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
- No cost to you, in most cases.
-
Part B: Medical Insurance
- Covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services
- Costs a monthly premium
Enroll in Medicare Part B at the same time as Part A to avoid penalties unless you have continued insurance coverage through your employer or during the General Enrollment period of January 1-March 31.
-
Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans
- Covers all services included in Part A and Part B, and in some cases Part D
- Provided by a private company
- Premiums vary
- Learn more to decide what option is right for you: www.medicare.gov
-
Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage
- Adds prescription drug coverage
- Premiums vary
Medigap Supplemental Policy
- Helps to cover copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles not covered by Medicare Part A and Part B
- Premiums vary
w West Virginia
How to sign up for Medicaid
West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services
- Website
- Phone: 877-716-1212
National Medicare information for age 65 or older
How to sign up for Medicare
Medicare is an insurance program for people age 65 or older. Certain people younger than 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, including those with disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure. Please note, Medicare provides individual coverage only.
How to apply
-
Online
-
Phone
800-772-1213 • TTY: 800-327-0778
-
In person
Make an appointment at your local Social Security Office.
Find your local office:
- Online
- Phone: 800-772-1213
When to sign up for Medicare without penalty
Initial enrollment period: The period to enroll for Medicare is 7 months long, occurring three months prior to the month of your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday, and the three months after the month of your 65th birthday.
Parts of Medicare
Medicare comes in four Parts: A, B, C and D. Each part covers a different aspect of your healthcare costs.
-
Part A: Hospital Insurance
- Covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
- No cost to you, in most cases.
-
Part B: Medical Insurance
- Covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services
- Costs a monthly premium
Enroll in Medicare Part B at the same time as Part A to avoid penalties unless you have continued insurance coverage through your employer or during the General Enrollment period of January 1-March 31.
-
Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans
- Covers all services included in Part A and Part B, and in some cases Part D
- Provided by a private company
- Premiums vary
- Learn more to decide what option is right for you: www.medicare.gov
-
Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage
- Adds prescription drug coverage
- Premiums vary
Medigap Supplemental Policy
- Helps to cover copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles not covered by Medicare Part A and Part B
- Premiums vary