Health Care Coverage: The Basics Every Advocate Should Know

Access to health care is about more than having insurance. It means being able to see a doctor when you need care, afford your medications and manage conditions like heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association believes everyone should have access to quality, affordable health care that helps them live healthier lives.

The following are definitions of various kinds of health care coverage:

Medicaid is the largest health insurance program in the country. It is a joint federal and state program that provides free or low-cost health care coverage for more than 70 million people with low incomes, including children, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities. Medicaid isn’t always called Medicaid; some states have different names for their programs. For example, Medi-Cal in California, SoonerCare in Oklahoma, and Apple Health in Washington. You can learn more about the Medicaid program in your state here.

Medicaid Expansion is when states expand Medicaid eligibility to adults with incomes that are higher than allowed under traditional Medicaid. Evidence shows Medicaid expansion improves access to preventive care and cardiovascular outcomes.

Medicare provides health coverage primarily for people age 65 and older and some people with disabilities. It plays a vital role in managing chronic conditions and supporting recovery from heart attack and stroke.

Employer-based insurance is the most common source of coverage for working-age adults and helps families access preventive services and treatment.

The Health Insurance Marketplace (or Exchange) is a government service that helps people without employer-based insurance plans find, compare, and purchase private health insurance plans that include coverage with essential health benefits and protections for pre-existing conditions.

Take action with HeartPowered – Health care coverage saves lives—and change happens when people use their voices. Join the American Heart Association’s CARE campaign to protect access to affordable, equitable health care today at: https://advocacycampaigns.heartpowered.org/campaign/CARE/