Health Insurance Programs for Vermonters
Vermont has several free or low cost insurance programs for those who meet certain criteria. The information below may help in choosing the right program and explain how to enroll.
This information is provided for your convenience. The Department of Health does not administer these health insurance programs. Please contact the specific program with any questions.
Green Mountain Care
Green Mountain Care is a family of low-cost and free health care coverage programs for uninsured Vermonters.
Green Mountain Care programs provide coverage for health services such as doctor visits, emergency care, prescription medicines, and more. Programs offer no or low cost co-payments and premiums, to keep out-of-pocket expenses reasonable.
For more information call 1-800-250-8427 or visit greenmountaincare.org.
Programs within Green Mountain Care
Contact Green Mountain Care about the programs that may best fit your needs:
- Catamount Health
- Dr. Dynasaur
- Vermont Health Access Plan
- Medicaid
- Prescription Assistance
- Employer-Sponsored Insurance Premium Assistance.
Catamount Health
Catamount Health is Vermont's health insurance plan for uninsured Vermonters. Offered in cooperation with the State of Vermont by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and MVP Health Care, Catamount Health provides comprehensive, quality health coverage at a reasonable cost no matter how much you earn.
Dr. Dynasaur - for Children and Pregnant Women
Dr. Dynasaur is a health insurance program for children, teens under 18 and pregnant women. Broad income guidelines are designed to cover as many families as possible - currently a family of four can make up to $60,156 per year and still be eligible. You may qualify even if you have other health insurance.
Even if you are 18 to 21 years old, you may be eligible for low cost or free health insurance.
For more information about Dr. Dynasaur go to the Dr. Dynasaur/Medicaid website, or contact Green Mountain Care.
Vermont Health Access Plan (VHAP) - Health Insurance for Uninsured Adults
VHAP is a health insurance program for adults 18 years old and older who do not have health insurance and do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. Eligibility depends on your income and other factors. VHAP covers a wide range of services including hospital care and doctor visits.
VHAP, VScript, VPharm - Pharmacy Assistance
These programs pay, or help pay, for prescription medications for adults 65 years old or older and people receiving Medicare or Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits. Eligibility depends upon your income and whether the medication you need is for a short-term or long-term medical problem.
These programs vary in their eligibility guidelines and other rules.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a health insurance program for adults 65 years of age or older, people who are legally blind or have a disability, children, pregnant women, and parents of children under 18.
Eligibility also depends on your income and assets. Most people who are eligible for Reach Up or SSI/AABD are automatically eligible for Medicaid, and sometimes people are still eligible for Medicaid even if their SSI or Reach Up assistance stops.
What about Medicare?
Medicare is not the same as Medicaid. Medicare is a federal health insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration. It is for adults over 65, people with disabilities who receive Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits, and people with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure).
For information about Medicare
- Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (or TTY 1-800-325-0778)
- The Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-642-5119
- Or go to www.Medicare.gov