When life is busy or changing, figuring out health coverage can fall to the bottom of the list. Many who lack coverage find their options confusing, and it's clear: 46% of uninsured or underinsured Americans don't know if they qualify for Medicaid.¹ Misunderstandings about who the program is for, and the quality of care it offers, are common. But Medicaid supports more individuals and families, in more circumstances, than its reputation suggests.

Medicaid is a government-sponsored program that helps provide low- and often no-cost health coverage to those who qualify. For many people, that can mean paying less each month for coverage and avoiding large medical bills when they need care. And for millions of Americans, it plays an important role in helping individuals and families get the care they need to stay healthy, care for loved ones and keep up with daily life.

Is Medicaid Only for Pregnancy or Periods of Unemployment? Not Quite.

Think Medicaid, and many people think of pregnant women or unemployed individuals. More than half of Americans believe unemployed people make up the majority of Medicaid recipients.¹ In reality, Medicaid covers a wide range of families and individuals, including working adults, and supports one in five Americans.²

In fact, 93% of women enrolled in Medicaid were either working, going to school, at home caring for young children or relatives or experiencing an illness or disability that does not permit them to work.³ Others, such as 26-year-olds coming off of a parent's insurance, could also qualify for Medicaid and not even realize it.

Many people don't realize that Medicaid can help during a wide range of life moments, not just pregnancy or unemployment.

Medicaid Covers More Than Emergency Care

Sometimes people need a helping hand, and no one should live without the security of health care coverage they can count on when they or their family members get sick because they are scared of the costs.

Regular doctor visits, preventive care, routine checkups and screenings are critical to detecting health issues early and managing conditions before they become more serious. Without coverage, people may miss opportunities to better manage chronic conditions, receive routine vaccinations or detect new conditions early. For many families, that can mean putting off care or worrying about what might happen if someone gets sick.

Health care coverage options like Medicaid can help individuals and families get the care they need every day, not only in emergencies.

Health Coverage for Life's Transitions

Medicaid isn't necessarily a lifelong commitment. In many cases, it acts as a flexible safety net that can support people during periods of change. During those times, having low- or no-cost coverage can make it easier to keep up with health needs while managing other expenses.

With 69% of nonelderly adults with Medicaid working full or part-time,⁴ Medicaid offers health care coverage that flexes with people's jobs, schedules and lifestyles. Whether someone is working the night shift, piecing together multiple part-time jobs or relying on seasonal work, it can offer preventative health services that fit their needs.

And when someone no longer needs or qualifies for Medicaid, they can transition to other coverage options like an employer-sponsored plan, or one available through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Not Sure If You Qualify? You Might Be Surprised.

When you think about Medicaid, it may help to think about people like you. Whether you're working, in school, a parent or turning 26 and coming off your parents' insurance, you may qualify. And with more than half of Americans saying that their health¹ and lives were improved when they were on Medicaid, it may be worth exploring as a healthcare option.

Navigating your options can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it out alone. Health plans and community organizations can help explain your benefits, connect you with a primary care provider and point you to resources in your community.

Learn more at MedicaidHelper.com. If you don't qualify for Medicaid where you live, you may be able to get health care coverage another way, like through your employer or your state's Health Insurance Marketplace.