Health Insurance Programs for Vermonters
Vermont has several free or low cost insurance programs for those who meet certain criteria. The information below may help in choosing the right program and explain how to enroll.
This information is provided for your convenience. Please contact the specific program with any questions. The Department of Health does not administer these health insurance programs.
Green Mountain Care
Green Mountain Care is a family of low-cost and free health coverage programs for uninsured Vermonters, offered by the State of Vermont and its partners.
Green Mountain Care programs provide coverage for health services such as doctor visits, emergency care, prescription medicines, and more. Programs offer no or low co-payments and premiums to keep out-of-pocket costs reasonable.
Programs within Green Mountain Care include: Catamount Health, Dr. Dynasaur, Vermont Health Access Plan, Medicaid, Prescription Assistance, and Employer-Sponsored Insurance Premium Assistance.
For more information call Green Mountain Care, toll free at 1-800-250-8427
You can also visit the Green Mountain Care web site, which features an on-line screening tool to help find the health coverage that is right for you.
Catamount Health
Catamount Health, established by the Legislature earlier this year, will create a new state-subsidized health insurance plan for uninsured Vermonters. People who are eligible for insurance through their employer may be able to receive assistance with the cost of premiums and other out-of–pocket costs (deductibles and copays) if the insurance offered by the employer meets certain coverage standards.
People who do not have insurance and are not eligible for adequate insurance through employment will be eligible to purchase insurance at reasonable rates, and those who meet certain income guidelines will be eligible for help paying the premium.
The new Catamount Health Plans will be available October 1, 2007, so enrollment for this plan will not occur until the summer of 2007.
Dr. Dynasaur
Dr. Dynasaur is a health insurance program for children, teens under 18 and pregnant women. Broad income guidelines are designed to cover as many families as possible - currently a family of four can make up to $60,156 per year and still be eligible. You may qualify even if you have other health insurance.
Even if you are 18 to 21 years old, you may be eligible for low cost or free health insurance.
For more information about Dr. Dynasaur go to the Dr. Dynasaur/Medicaid website, or call Vermont Health Access Member Services at 1-800-250-8427.
Vermont Health Access Plan (VHAP)
VHAP is a health insurance program for adults 18 years old and older who do not have health insurance and do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. Eligibility depends on your income and other factors. VHAP covers a wide range of services including hospital care and doctor visits.
You May Qualify for VHAP
- Whether you're working or not.
- Whether you're married or single.
- If you don't have insurance for doctor and hospital care.
- If you meet the income test.
- If you haven't dropped your insurance in the last 12 months (call for exceptions).
- If you're a student - you may have to meet extra rules.
For more information about VHAP, see How to Apply or call Vermont Health Access Member Services at 1-800-250-8427.
VHAP-Pharmacy Assistance; VScript; VPharm
These programs pay, or help pay, for prescription medications for adults 65 years old or older and people receiving Medicare or Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits. Eligibility depends upon your income and whether the medication you need is for a short-term or long-term medical problem.
These programs vary in their eligibility guidelines and other rules.
For more information about help with prescriptions, call Vermont Health Access Member Services at 1-800-250-8427.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a health insurance program for adults 65 years of age or older, people who are legally blind or have a disability, children, pregnant women, and parents of children under 18.
Eligibility also depends on your income and assets. Most people who are eligible for Reach Up or SSI/AABD are automatically eligible for Medicaid, and sometimes people are still eligible for Medicaid even if their SSI or Reach Up assistance stops.
For more information about Medicaid call Vermont Health Access Member Services at 1-800-250-8427
What about Medicare?
Medicare is not the same as Medicaid. Medicare is a federal health insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration. It is for adults over 65, people with disabilities who receive Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits, and people with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure).
For information about Medicare
- Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (or TTY 1-800-325-0778)
- The Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-642-5119
- Or go to www.Medicare.gov