Find my options: a free health care plan if you have no insurance

How this works

You answer up to 7 short questions, one at a time. It takes about 3 minutes. Then you get your own plan: a short list of next steps, in order, with one link for each step.

If it is an emergency or a mental health crisis, use the yes buttons at the bottom of the questions at any time, and you see how to get help right away. The questions ask where you live, who needs care, and a few things that open special programs, such as being a veteran or being pregnant. Family size and income are optional. They let our Medicaid and coverage check give you an estimate. You can skip them.

We never ask your name, email, phone number or address. The math runs on your own phone or computer, and nothing you type is saved. We count only which kind of result a tool showed, such as a Medicaid result, and which next step was tapped, with no state, income or other answers. Like most sites, we also count page visits.

What your plan can include

• See if you qualify. Whether you may get Medicaid, CHIP or help paying for a Marketplace plan. This uses the same rules as our Medicaid and coverage check.
• Special programs. Help with Medicare costs, VA health care for veterans, and the Indian Health Service.
• Everyday care near you. Community health centers and free clinics that charge by income, even before your coverage starts. Our health center finder shows the closest ones.
• Lower your hospital costs. Hospital financial help, your rights when you pay cash, and what hospitals near you charge.
• Medicines, mental health and dental care. Where to get each one for less, such as help paying for medicines.
• An affordable doctor. If no health center fits, a cash-pay primary care doctor from our directory. A cash-pay doctor is not insurance.
• A real person. 2-1-1 and free trained helpers who can help you apply.

Your plan is a guide, not a decision. Only your state Medicaid office or the Marketplace can decide on coverage.

Using this with a client

Tick the helper box on the first screen, so the questions say "they" instead of "you". It stays ticked when you start over for the next client. The box only changes the wording and adds an anonymous count of plans made by helpers. Tell the client that nothing is saved, that we do not ask their name, and that they can skip family size and income. Do not type a name or any ID anywhere. Read each question aloud and tap the answer with them. It takes about 3 minutes. Income can be a rough guess by the week, every 2 weeks, by the month or by the year. Count the family the way the client will on the application, including people who do not need coverage. If the client lost a job or coverage, write down the date, because the 60-day window to sign up starts then. At the end, read step 1 back and ask the client to say it in their own words. To fix one answer, open "What you told us" and tap Change next to it. Print the plan or save it as a PDF before you close the page, because nothing is saved. The printed plan shows what the client told you, the date and time, every link address and blank lines for your name and phone. "Share this plan" sends only the steps, never the answers. If an emergency or crisis comes up, tap the yes button at the bottom of the questions for 911 or 988, and use "Back to the questions" once the person is safe. The plan is a guide and does not replace an application or an official decision.

What if I have an emergency?

If you think you are having an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Emergencies include chest pain, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding and signs of a stroke.

Federal law requires an emergency room to examine and stabilize you whether or not you have insurance (read about the law). This tool is general education and not medical, legal or tax advice.