Securing health care for yourself can be easy to overlook, but you will be glad that you did if and when you find yourself needing some help.

Health Insurance

Whether you find yourself sick or with a serious medical problem such as broken bones, paying for medical care can be VERY expensive if you don't have health insurance.

If you do have health insurance, make sure you know what kind of health insurance you have and what it will pay for. Be sure you have your health insurance card on you so the doctor's office knows what insurance you have and how much you have to pay — if anything. Some health insurance plans will only pay for certain things and most limit what doctors you can see.

Some health insurance plans have copays, which means that you have to pay a certain amount each time you see a doctor. Normally, this is a small amount such as $15 or $20. Some also have deductibles, meaning that you have to spend a certain amount before the insurance will pay. Typically, this is a larger amount like $500.

Some people qualify for health insurance plans, such as VHAP, Medicaid, and Dr. Dynasaur, through the state. Most people, however, get health insurance through their jobs. There is one thing that is the same about health insurance…no matter what kind you have or where you get it, it will be cheaper than having no insurance at all.

State-Funded Health Insurance

If you have no health insurance, it is very important that you try to get it. You might qualify for state insurance, so check with your youth development coordinator, your caseworker, your foster parents, or another adult that you trust.

You can also go to the Green Mountain Care Website. It has information about health coverage programs that are offered by the State of Vermont and its partners as well as a screening tool that can help you figure out which health coverage programs you may be eligible for.

If you are eligible for both VHAP and Medicaid, consider applying for Medicaid as it provides more benefits. You can also find out whether you qualify by calling your local Economic Services Division Office.

To apply for health care and other services through the Economic Services Division of DCF, complete the Application for all Programs (ESD -202) form. (It’s the one with the apples throughout it.)  While it may seem somewhat lengthy to complete, it will help ensure access to all the programs for which you qualify.

Know Your Health Care Providers

It is also good to know who your health care providers are/were. If you know the names and addresses of doctors, dentists, therapists, and other health care providers you may have had in the past, you will be able to find out information when you need it. Your providers will have copies of your medical records, which you may need later — to go to school or for some jobs.

And if you need medical help, you will be able to return to providers who already know you. While it isn't necessary to always go back to the same doctor, for example, it is a good idea because that doctor already knows everything about you and you won't have to explain things every time you go see someone.

If you are still seeing a pediatrician (a children's doctor) you might want to think about switching over to a general physician for your regular check-ups.You may need to find health care providers as well. For example, if you are female, sexually active, thinking of becoming sexually active, above the age of 18, or just have questions about your body, you should find a gynecologist. You can find new doctors a couple of ways. You can ask your general doctor for a recommendation, you can look one up in the phonebook and call them to make sure they take your insurance and new patients, or you can call up your health insurance company and ask for information about doctors in your area. The benefit of calling your health insurance company is that you can then ask them exactly how much you will have to pay out of your pocket.

Keep a Record of Your Medicines

It is also a good idea to know what medicines you take, when you take them, and why you take them. This way you will know how to take care of yourself. This information will be good to know if you need to go see a new doctor as he or she will want to know all the medications you take.

Make an Emergency Plan

Do you know what you would do in case of an emergency?. Where are you going to go if you break a bone? Who are you going to ask for help? Where is your local hospital? How are you going to get there if you need serious medical attention? Where can you get mental health help if you need it?

Speak to an adult in your life if you are unsure about the best place to get help in case of an emergency. And make an emergency plan for yourself.