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Where can I get help paying for health care in Iowa?
Many people need help paying for health care. Iowa has several programs that may help you.

What is Medicaid or Title 19?
Medicaid pays for medical care for some people who don’t earn much money. It’s also called “Title 19.”
Who gets Medicaid? Children under 21 can get Medicaid. You may also get Medicaid if:

• You are a parent with a child under 19 living with you.
• You are over 65.
• You are pregnant.
• You need treatment for breast or cervical cancer.
• You are blind or have a disability.
• You live in a nursing home.

To get Medicaid:

• You must live in Iowa.
• You can’t earn too much money or have too much property.
• You must be a US citizen or legally qualified immigrant (except for emergency care for up to 3 days).
• You must have a social security number or show you applied for one (except for emergency care for up to 3 days).

You can apply for Medicaid at any Department of Human Services office. Call 1-800-972-2017 to find the office near you. Find out more about Medicaid on the Iowa Legal Aid Website.*
 
What if I earn too much for my child to get Medicaid?
hawk-i pays for health services for some children under 19 who can’t get other health insurance. 

Who gets hawk-i?  Your child may get hawk-i if:

• Your child lives in Iowa.
• Your family doesn’t earn more than the limit set by hawk-i.
• Your child is a US citizen or a qualified immigrant.

Call 1-800-257-8563 (TTY: 1-888-422-2319) and ask them to mail you an application. Go to the Iowa Legal Aid Website for details and a link to the hawk-i website to apply on the computer.

Is there other help for Seniors and people with disabilities?
Medicare pays for health care for seniors and people with disabilities. Medicare pays for hospital care, nursing home care, doctor’s care and more. You have to pay a fee for some of the services.

Who gets Medicare?  You may get Medicare if:

• You are 65 years old or older.
• You are under 65 years old with certain disabilities and have been disabled for 24 months.
• You are any age with end-stage kidney disease.

You can apply for Medicare at your local Social Security office. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778). For details about Medicare, go to the Iowa Legal Aid Website.*

What if I can’t get on any of these programs?

Here are a few places where you can get free or low cost care.

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
University of Iowa hospitals and clinics give free care through the State Papers program. You can get help with medical care you need if you don’t earn much money and you live in Iowa. You can apply at a county general assistance or local Iowa Department of Human Services office. Go to the Iowa Legal Aid Website for more information.*

Help from Your County
Every county in Iowa has a General Relief office and programs to assist eligible veterans. Many counties also have a public hospital that must give free care to some people who live there. Ask the hospital’s business office if the hospital is a county public hospital and ask for an application for free care. For a list of county public hospitals, go to the Iowa Legal Aid Website.*

Free Clinics
To find a clinic near you, go to the Iowa Legal Aid Website.*

* Get more information on the Iowa Legal Aid Website
Go to www.iowalegalaid.org and select the first blue box on the left for “Legal Information and Other Resources for Iowans.” Then select the topic “Health” and go to any of the subtopics listed for more information and links to other helpful websites.