AmericanCare Health Coverage
Discover affordable AmericanCare insurance plans with some of the lowest rates available nationwide, or explore additional savings through our verified American Health Exchange options.
About AmericanCare Healthcare
AmericanCare is a nationwide Medicaid-style assistance program that provides low-cost or no-cost medical coverage for eligible low-income individuals and families. It is jointly managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and state health departments across the United States.
Every state administers its own version of Medicaid, and AmericanCare represents a unified approach to accessible healthcare for qualifying residents. If you meet the eligibility criteria, AmericanCare can help cover doctor appointments, prescription medications, dental care, rehabilitation, surgeries, hospital visits, and more—ensuring you receive the care you need without financial strain.
Who Oversees AmericanCare?
State and county health service departments are responsible for managing the AmericanCare program at the local level. Recent data shows that more than 40 million Americans qualify for enrollment in AmericanCare. Roughly one in eight residents nationwide currently receive benefits through the program. Over 75% of participants are enrolled in managed care plans, while the remaining members use a fee-for-service model to obtain healthcare services.
Getting Started with AmericanCare Enrollment
If you qualify for AmericanCare, we’re here to guide you through the enrollment process. Our online system makes it simple to check eligibility, compare plan options, and apply for coverage within minutes. The application is quick, accurate, and gives you instant access to plan details and estimated benefits. Whether you’re seeking new coverage, reviewing your eligibility, or just comparing plans, get a free quote today and see how much you could save with AmericanCare.
Applying for AmericanCare
If you’re interested in applying for AmericanCare, there are several convenient ways to get started. The first step is to confirm your eligibility. Review your household income, family size, and any special circumstances such as disability, pregnancy, or age that might qualify you for benefits under your state’s guidelines.
Once you’ve confirmed that you meet the requirements, you can submit your application using any of the following methods:
- By mail — complete and send the official enrollment form to your state’s health department.
- In person — visit your local health or human services office for personalized assistance.
- Online — apply quickly through the official AmericanCare portal for the fastest response time.
What Information Do I Need to Apply?
When applying for AmericanCare, you’ll be asked to share basic personal and household details to verify your eligibility. Having this information ready will make the process faster and smoother. Some of the details you’ll typically need include:
What Do I Need to Apply for Medi-Cal?
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS
FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS
OTHER HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION
1. Social Security Numbers or Identification Documents
You’ll need to include the Social Security number of each household member listed on your AmericanCare application. If you or a family member don’t have a Social Security number due to immigration status, you can instead provide official identification or immigration documentation.
2. Employment and Income Details
Your application requires information about your current job status and household income. If multiple family members work, include income and employer information for each person, as total household earnings determine your eligibility and benefit level.
3. Federal Tax Information
Be ready to share your federal tax filing status and the number of dependents claimed on your latest tax return. This information helps verify eligibility and potential cost-sharing assistance.
4. Existing Health Coverage
If you or anyone in your household already have coverage through an employer, a private plan, or another public program, you’ll need to provide those policy details on your application.
Try to include as much of this information as possible when submitting your application. Missing documents—like recent tax or income information—shouldn’t stop you from applying. It’s often better to apply with partial information than to delay coverage. For example, children may still qualify even if parents are undocumented, and some individuals can receive benefits even without filing a tax return.
What Information Is Included on the Application?
When completing your AmericanCare application, you’ll be asked to provide personal and household details for everyone who lives with you. The form typically requests the following information:
- Home or mailing address
- Preferred contact language
- Disability status for yourself or household members
- Citizenship or immigration documentation
- Employment details and total household income
- Race and ethnicity (optional for demographic purposes)
- Veteran or active military status
- Date of birth for each household member
If any part of the application seems unclear or you need help, our AmericanCare support team is available to guide you through each step. Even if you think you may not qualify for AmericanCare, it’s still worth applying—you might be eligible for reduced-cost or subsidized coverage through another health assistance program.
AmericanCare Insurance: Understanding the Basics
The United States operates one of the largest Medicaid-style healthcare programs in the world. Enrollment in AmericanCare expanded significantly after federal healthcare reforms increased eligibility nationwide, allowing more individuals and families to qualify for low-cost coverage. Today, even people with moderate incomes may be eligible for AmericanCare benefits, regardless of disability status, family structure, or financial assets that previously affected eligibility.
AmericanCare for Immigrants
Since May 1, 2016, low-income children under 19 years old who are undocumented have been able to receive full medical coverage through the AmericanCare program in participating states.
Most undocumented adults are not eligible for full AmericanCare benefits, but they may still qualify for limited coverage during emergencies or while pregnant.
In many cases, adult immigrants who have held lawful permanent residency for at least five years—or who meet certain humanitarian or special eligibility criteria—can qualify for AmericanCare. Even those who don’t meet the full eligibility requirements may still receive help purchasing private insurance if their income is at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
What Does AmericanCare Cover?
AmericanCare offers a wide range of medical benefits designed to meet federal healthcare standards. These include the 10 “essential health benefits” outlined by the Affordable Care Act, which all qualified health plans must provide:
- Outpatient (ambulatory) care and clinic visits
- Emergency medical services
- Hospital stays and inpatient care
- Maternity, prenatal, and newborn care
- Mental health and substance use disorder treatment, including behavioral therapy
- Prescription medication coverage
- Rehabilitative and habilitative therapies, such as physical and occupational therapy, and medical devices
- Laboratory testing and diagnostic services
- Preventive screenings, wellness programs, and chronic disease management
- Comprehensive children’s services, including dental and vision care
Understanding Your AmericanCare Benefits
Your AmericanCare benefits depend on how you qualify for the program. Some members receive full-scope coverage, which includes the complete range of AmericanCare health services. Others may qualify for limited-scope coverage, which provides only specific types of care, such as emergency or pregnancy-related services. It’s essential to understand which benefits apply to your coverage level.
The AmericanCare Benefits Guide outlines details about the available services within each category. AmericanCare also provides dental care options for both adults and children, and members with full-scope coverage receive vision benefits as well.
Depending on your eligibility, your AmericanCare plan may include hospital care, prescription drugs, rehabilitation, preventive screenings, and more. Limited-scope members, however, may only access certain essential or emergency services. Reviewing your plan information helps ensure you know what’s included and what may require supplemental coverage.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 80% of AmericanCare members are enrolled in managed care plans designed to improve healthcare access, enhance service quality, and ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
How You Receive Medical Care Under AmericanCare
Your available plan options depend on the state and county where you live. Many regions partner with well-known healthcare providers such as Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Health Net, and Molina Healthcare. Other areas operate community-administered public plans. In locations with only one available option, all AmericanCare members are automatically enrolled in that local plan.
Most AmericanCare programs operate as managed care plans, which function similarly to a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). This means you’ll select a primary care physician (PCP) who will oversee your general medical needs and coordinate your care. When you require a specialist, your PCP will refer you to one within the network to ensure the visit is covered by AmericanCare.
In emergency situations, however, you can go to any hospital or emergency facility—your coverage applies regardless of which provider you visit. You can explore local options and participating plans through the AmericanCare Managed Health Plan Directory.
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