How to Find Subsidy Programs for Healthcare Costs

Guiding The Wise Inc
Jul 23, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Jul 27, 2025

How to Find Subsidy Programs for Healthcare Costs

Save Money & Get the Care You Deserve

Healthcare costs can feel overwhelming—but here’s some good news: There are subsidy programs out there designed to help you afford the care you need without breaking the bank! From premium assistance to prescription discounts, this guide walks you through how to find and qualify for these money-saving programs.

Let’s get you the support you deserve! 💚

What Are Healthcare Subsidies?

Healthcare subsidies are financial assistance programs that reduce what you pay for insurance premiums, doctor visits, medications, and more. They can come from the federal government, your state, or nonprofit organizations.

Where to Look for Subsidies & Assistance

1. Marketplace Premium Tax Credits

If you buy insurance through the federal or state Health Insurance Marketplace (Healthcare.gov or your state exchange), you might qualify for premium tax credits that lower your monthly bill.

Based on your income and household size
Can be applied directly to reduce monthly payments
You can estimate eligibility here:https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/save-on-monthly-premiums/

2. Medicaid & CHIP

Medicaid is a free or low-cost insurance program for people with low income or disabilities.
CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) helps kids in families who earn too much for Medicaid but can’t afford private insurance.
Find your state’s Medicaid and CHIP programs here:https://www.medicaid.gov/about-us/contact-us/contact-state-page.html

3. Prescription Assistance Programs

Many pharmaceutical companies offer patient assistance programs for free or low-cost medications.
Organizations like NeedyMeds or RxAssist provide searchable databases:https://www.needymeds.org/https://www.rxassist.org/

4. Local and State Assistance Programs

Many states and counties offer subsidies, grants, or sliding-scale clinics to help with doctor visits, dental care, and prescriptions.
Contact your local health department or community health centers to learn more.
Use the federal health center locator to find sliding-scale clinics near you:https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/

5. Medicare Savings Programs

If you have Medicare but limited income, these programs can help pay for premiums, deductibles, and copays.
Learn more and check eligibility here:https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/get-help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-programs

Tips for Applying & Qualifying

Gather important documents: income proof, tax returns, and identification.
Report all household income accurately — programs base eligibility on this.
Ask about special enrollment periods if you missed open enrollment.
Reach out to local navigators or certified enrollment counselors who help for free!Find help here:https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/

State-Specific Healthcare & Food Assistance Subsidy Programs

State	Medicaid & CHIP (Health Subsidies)	Food Stamps / SNAP & Other Assistance
Alabama	https://medicaid.alabama.gov/	https://dhr.alabama.gov/
Alaska	http://dhss.alaska.gov/dpa/Pages/medicaid/default.aspx	http://dhss.alaska.gov/dpa/
Arizona	https://www.azahcccs.gov/	https://des.az.gov/services/basic-needs/food-assistance
Arkansas	https://www.medicaid.state.ar.us/	https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/about-dhs/dcse/
California	https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/default.aspx	https://www.cdss.ca.gov/food-nutrition/calfresh
Colorado	https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/hcpf	https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdhs/snap-benefits
Connecticut	https://portal.ct.gov/Access-Health-CT	https://portal.ct.gov/DSS
Delaware	https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dmma/index.html	https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dss/food-assistance/
Florida	https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/	https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/
Georgia	https://dch.georgia.gov/medicaid	https://dfcs.georgia.gov/services/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap
Hawaii	https://medquest.hawaii.gov/	https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/snap-program/
Idaho	https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/medical-assistance-medicaid-chip	https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/food-stamps
Illinois	https://www.illinois.gov/hfs/MedicalPrograms/Pages/default.aspx	https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30320
Indiana	https://www.in.gov/medicaid/	https://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/snap-food-stamps/
Iowa	https://dhs.iowa.gov/ime/members	https://dhs.iowa.gov/food-assistance
Kansas	https://www.kancare.ks.gov/	https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/FoodAssistance.aspx
Kentucky	https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/Pages/default.aspx	https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dfs/Pages/FoodAssistanceProgram.aspx
Louisiana	https://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/subhome/22	http://www.ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/56
Maine	https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/programs-services/mainecare	https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/programs-services/snap-food-stamps
Maryland	https://mmcp.health.maryland.gov/Pages/home.aspx	https://dhs.maryland.gov/food-supplement-program/
Massachusetts	https://www.mass.gov/topics/health-insurance	https://www.mass.gov/service-details/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap
Michigan	https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71550_2941_4868---,00.html	https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/snap
Minnesota	https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/adults/health-care/health-care-programs/programs-and-services/medical-assistance.jsp	https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/adults/food-nutrition-programs/
Mississippi	https://medicaid.ms.gov/	https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/food-stamps/
Missouri	https://mydss.mo.gov/health-care/medicaid	https://dss.mo.gov/fsd/
Montana	https://medicaidprovider.mt.gov/	https://dphhs.mt.gov/foodnutritionprogram
Nebraska	http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Medicaid-Home.aspx	https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Food-Assistance.aspx
Nevada	https://dhcfp.nv.gov/	https://dwss.nv.gov/food_assistance
New Hampshire	https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/ombp/medical/medicaid.htm	https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dss/snap-food-assistance
New Jersey	https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/medicaid/	https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmahs/services/snap/
New Mexico	https://www.hsd.state.nm.us/LookingForAssistance/Medical-Assistance.aspx	https://www.hsd.state.nm.us/looking-for-assistance/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program/
New York	https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/	https://otda.ny.gov/programs/snap/
North Carolina	https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/	https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/food-and-nutrition-services
North Dakota	https://www.nd.gov/dhs/services/medicalserv/medicaid/	https://www.nd.gov/dhs/services/foodstamps/
Ohio	https://medicaid.ohio.gov/	https://jfs.ohio.gov/ofa/
Oklahoma	https://oklahoma.gov/ohca.html	https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/food-assistance.html
Oregon	https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/Pages/index.aspx	https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/assistance/food-benefits/Pages/index.aspx
Pennsylvania	https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/Medical-Assistance.aspx	https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/Food-Stamps.aspx
Rhode Island	http://www.eohhs.ri.gov/Programs/MedicalAssistance.aspx	http://www.eohhs.ri.gov/Consumer/FoodStamps.aspx
South Carolina	https://www.scdhhs.gov/	https://dss.sc.gov/food-nutrition/
South Dakota	https://dss.sd.gov/medicaid/	https://dss.sd.gov/economicassistance/foodstamps/
Tennessee	https://www.tn.gov/tenncare.html	https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/financial-assistance/snap.html
Texas	https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/medicaid-chip	https://hhs.texas.gov/services/food/snap-food-benefits
Utah	https://medicaid.utah.gov/	https://jobs.utah.gov/foodstamps/
Vermont	https://dvha.vermont.gov/	https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/snap
Virginia	https://www.coverva.org/en/famis-select-health	https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/snap.html
Washington	https://www.hca.wa.gov/medicaid-coverage	https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/community-services-offices/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap
West Virginia	https://dhhr.wv.gov/bms/	https://dhhr.wv.gov/bcf/Services/FoodAssistance/Pages/default.aspx
Wisconsin	https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/index.htm	https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/foodshare/index.htm
Wyoming	https://health.wyo.gov/healthcarefin/medicaid/	https://dfs.wyo.gov/food-stamps/

Final Thoughts

Healthcare doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Subsidy programs are here to make care accessible and affordable. You just have to know where to look—and now you do!

Take that first step, apply, and watch your healthcare costs drop. You deserve it!