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A project of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health
womenshealth.gov

Empowering women to live healthier lives!

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Paying for health care

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Even if you don't have any ongoing health problems, taking care of your physical health is important. Keeping active and making healthy food choices can help. But you also need to see your doctor for regular checkups, as well as screening tests and vaccines you may need. Health insurance can pay for this care. It is a formal agreement to provide and pay for medical care. What is covered depends on the type of insurance you have. Health insurance options for older adults include Medicare, Medicaid, and individual policies. There are also programs that can help those who can't get or pay for health insurance. Programs also can help insured people who need additional services. Read on to learn more about paying for health care.

Better benefits, better health for women

The Affordable Care Act offers more way to help your family pay for health care. Learn more!

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More information on Paying for health care

Read more from womenshealth.gov

  • Health Insurance and Women Fact Sheet - This fact sheet explains what health insurance is and how it affects women. It gives information on health care options, what to do if you're uninsured, what to do if you don't qualify for government benefits, and what you can do to protect your health insurance benefits.
    http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/health-insurance-women.cfm

Explore other publications and websites

  • Age Page: Choosing a Doctor - This publication gives step-by-step guidelines for distinguishing primary care doctors and offering helpful hints about finding the right doctor.
    http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/choosing.htm
  • Health Care — Health Insurance (Copyright © Baylor College of Medicine) - This publication lists the barriers that limit the access to adequate health insurance for women with disabilities.
    http://www.bcm.edu/crowd/?pmid=1433
  • Health Reform for American Seniors - There is a lot of confusion over what the recent health care reform means for Americans. This fact sheet sets the record straight on how the Affordable Care Act affects Americans as they get older.
    http://www.whitehouse.gov/files/documents/health_reform_for_seniors.pdf
  • Questions and Answers About Health Insurance (Copyright © America’s Health Insurance Plans) - This guide briefly describes the different kinds of health insurance plans available today. These include network-based plans, non-network based coverage, and consumer-directed health plans. Also, you will find answers to many common questions about health insurance. Resources are provided at the end of the booklet to help you find additional, more detailed information.
    http://www.ahip.org/content/default.aspx?bc=41|329|20888

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Content last updated August 12, 2010.

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