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Low-Cost Insurance Programs

State/Federally Funded Programs

The following low-cost insurance programs are available to uninsured children and adults who qualify.

Click on each program's name to obtain more information about eligibility and registration. Also, ask insurance carriers in your county if they offer low-cost coverage for young adults.

  • San Diego County Black Infant Health (BIH) Program

    • The San Diego County Black Infant Health (BIH) program works to improve African-American infant and maternal health, as well as decrease Black-White inequities and social inequities for women and infants. BIH is part of Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health (MCAH) and is required by the following authorities: Senate Bill (SB165); Health & Safety Code, Section 131051(d)(4); and California Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 14148.9(c-d).

  • Child Health & Disability Prevention Program (CHDP)

    • The Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) is a preventive program that delivers periodic health assessments and services to low income children and youth in California. CHDP provides care coordination to assist families with medical appointment scheduling, transportation, and access to diagnostic and treatment services. Health assessments are provided by enrolled private physicians, local health departments, community clinics, managed care plans, and some local school districts.

  • Covered California

    • If you do not have health insurance or have purchased a policy yourself because you are self-employed or your employer doesn’t provide it, you may be able to buy a policy through your state’s insurance marketplace. Go to Covered California or call 800-300-1506.

  • Low-Cost/No-Cost Clinics

    • Council of Community Clinics

    The mission of the Council of Community Clinics is to represent and support community health centers in their respective efforts to provide access to quality, low-cost health care services for low-income and uninsured persons. To contact the Council of Community Clinics, the Community Clinic Health Network or Council Connections, call 619-542-4300 or 800-640-1662.
    To find a clinic near you, click here.

    Family Health Centers of San Diego

    The Family Health Centers of San Diego provide comprehensive, accessible, quality health care services to residents and businesses of San Diego and the surrounding region. They offer affordable services to all income levels, with special commitment to low-income/medically underserved individuals.
    For a list of locations, click here.

    County of San Diego, Public Health Centers (PHC)

    Central Region PHC
    5202 University Ave.
    San Diego, CA 92105-2268
    619-229-5470

    East Region PHC
    855 E. Madison Ave.
    El Cajon, CA 92020-4511
    619-441-6500

    North Central PHC
    2440 Grand Ave.
    San Diego, CA 92109-4897
    858-490-4400

    South Region PHC
    690 Oxford St.
    Chula Vista, CA 91911
    619-409-3110

  • Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP)

    • The Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP) provides health insurance for Californians unable to obtain coverage in the individual health insurance market because of their pre-existing conditions. Californians qualifying for the program participate in the cost of their coverage by paying premiums. The State of California supplements those premiums to cover the cost of care in MRMIP. Tobacco tax funds currently subsidize the MRMIP.

  • Medi-Cal

    • Medi-Cal is an essential source of health care insurance for millions of low-income, elderly and disabled Californians. There are many different Medi-Cal programs.

    Medi-Cal for Children Under Age 18 and Pregnant Women

    No-cost health coverage is available for uninsured children and pregnant women who meet certain eligibility requirements. You can get free help with Healthy Families/Medi-Cal applications from people who are specially trained. Some of these organizations serve populations that speak a language other than English. You can get toll-free help by calling 888-747-1222 or 800-880-5305.

    Medi-Cal for Adults

    Medi-Cal pays for health care for certain eligible residents. Any person has the right to apply for Medi-Cal. Even if you are working, own a house or are married, you may be eligible for Medi-Cal. You can apply for Medi-Cal at any time, but keep in mind that it will take time for your application to be processed. Because there are so many factors and a variety of programs, it is important for anyone interested in making an application to speak with someone who is qualified to offer assistance.

    Medi-Cal Information and Assistance

    California Department of Social Services: 800-952-5253
    To have an application mailed to you, call Medi-Cal Outreach: 888-747-1222

    Key Links

    Medi-Cal
    Medi-Cal / California HealthCare Foundation
    Medi-Cal / The Health Consumer Alliance
    Medi-Cal related sites
    Social Security Administration

  • Medicare

    • Our Medicare section offers comprehensive, official information provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The official government handbook, 'Medicare & You,' includes sections on Medicare coverage choices, choosing a prescription plan, financial assistance, your Medicare rights, and more.

    View, download or print 'Medicare & You' in PDF format.

    For more information about the Medicare Advantage Plans, other Medicare Health Plans, or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans available in your area, visit medicare.gov on the Web or call (800) MEDICARE (800-633-4227). TTY users should call (877) 486-2048.

    Learn more about private insurance enrollment for Medicare D.

    The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) offers free individual counseling about Medicare and other health-care issues. HICAP counseling is available in every county in California. Find a HICAP counselor in your county, or call (800) 434-0222.

  • Reduce Or Eliminate Health Disparities With Information (REHDI)

    • The goal of the Reducing and Eliminating Health Disparities with Information (REHDI) Initiative is to help reduce and eliminate health disparities by providing information about health conditions, including infectious and chronic diseases, which affect various populations differently.  Key influencing factors (i.e., social determinants of health) include, for example, age, geography, gender, race/ethnicity and socio-economic status.

  • San Diego Kids Health Assurance Network (SD-KHAN)

    • San Diego Kids Health Assurance Network (SD-KHAN) is a collaboration of local community-based organizations, hospitals, government agencies, health plans, and schools working together to connect all children in San Diego County to medical and dental coverage.

San Diego County Access and Crisis Line: (888) 724-7240
The Access and Crisis Line is confidential and free of charge, the line is immediately answered 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and offers immediate support and resources from an experienced on all behavioral health topics including: suicide prevention, crisis intervention, community resources, mental health referrals, alcohol and drug support services and more.