Former foster youth are entitled to health care coverage up to the age of 26.
Why it matters
Youth in and from foster care deserve comprehensive medical support, including mental health care for trauma experienced in foster care. Prioritizing health care is crucial for young individuals, as unforeseen incidents can have long-term financial and educational repercussions. Medicaid ensures that Former Foster Youth up to age 26 receive essential health coverage, acknowledging the importance of accessible health care for them.
What's NEW?
The newest legistation called "The Support Act" now allows young adults who turn 18 after January 1, 2023 Medicaid coverage in any state as long as they meet all the other eligibility requirements. This means that even if you were in foster care in one state, you should be able to access medicaid in another state if you have moved!
Quick Facts
4 Reasons you should sign up for Medicaid health coverage for former foster youth:
It's Free. You can save your money for school, rent, food, and other things you need.
You are eligible 'til your 26th Birthday. Be sure to find out if you need to do anything to renew your coverage each year.
Coverage isn't based on income. Eligibility for Medicaid usually includes income requirements. There are no income requirements for former foster youth.
Your health is important! If you are not healthy, it is hard to meet a lot of your goals. Good health insurance and health care helps you stay healthy.
“I think that the need to do outreach is so important. Had it not been for some former foster youth campaigning and doing outreach I would not have found out that I could get insurance and I honestly don’t know if I would have still been here today.”
— Dashun Jackson, FosterClub Young Leader Spent 4 years in Nevada’s foster care system
Want to Learn More?
FosterClub #HealthCareFFY FAQ Sheet for youth
Health-Care Coverage for
Children and Youth in
Foster Care—and After, Child Information Gateway
How we're working on this issue
Speaking with Federal Officials About SOGI Data Collection
LGBTQ2S+ FosterClub LEx leaders often meet with federal officials to discuss their experiences related to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) while in foster care. Conversations range from whether youth feel safe disclosing their SOGI, to the impact of coming out during their time in foster care.
Advocate for Laws to Fight Discrimination by Agencies
LGBTQ2S+ FosterClub LEx Leaders often engage with a coalition of national organizations focused on supporting LGBTQ2S+ youth and families in foster care. For example, upon learning about a new federal rule aimed at preventing discrimination against LGBTQ2S+ individuals by federal agencies, LEx Leaders got together and shared their insights. Their expertise underscored the importance of anti-discrimination protections in ensuring the well-being and success of LGBTQ2S+ youth within the foster care system.
Contributing to Government Reports
LEx leaders collaborated with the Government Accountability Office staff to share their personal experiences in foster care, specifically focusing on LGBTQ2S+ identity and religious experiences. Their input informed a comprehensive report that scrutinized the conditions facing young people in the foster care system. The report offered actionable recommendations for states, suggesting the importance of data collection, the implementation of nondiscrimination policies, and enhanced training for child welfare professionals to better support LGBTQ2S+ youth.
“I could have lost my health care if I had left New York to go to Texas for a surgery that I needed. Losing my health care could have jeopardized all of my hard work and progress toward earning my college degree.”
— Cody Rivera, FosterClub Young Leader Spent 12 years in New York’s Foster Care System
Blogs on Health Care for Former Foster Youth
Tell Congress: Fix the Health Care Glitch for Former Foster Youth!
Calling all current and former foster youth, and foster care youth & alumni organizations: Sign-on to a letter asking Congress to fix the glitch which makes it so foster youth may lose their access to health insurance if they move to another state. Under current law, youth who have aged out of foster care are eligible for Medicaid coverage until...
H.R.4998 - Health Insurance for Former Foster Youth Act
February 22, 2018 Washington, D.C. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) helped 20 million Americans secure access to quality health care. Among that 20 million, are some of the nations most vulnerable to inadequate health care, former foster youth. In addition to allowing young adults remain on their parents insurance until age 26, the ACA allows for former foster youth to...
How can foster parents help you stay healthy? (CLOSED)
MARCH 2018 TOPIC: How can foster parents help you stay healthy? As a young person in foster care, your foster family or caregiver may help you stay healthy.... or maybe you wished they would have helped you with your health care. For example, maybe you have an ongoing health issue or mental health issue that you've had support with (or...
My Health Choice Challenge
After a knee blow-out, Cody was faced with a difficult choice: face surgery alone, or move to family and lose health care coverage? Life’s challenges test the strongest people and as a former foster youth, I am no exception. I almost missed one of the most important moments of my life, my 2017 graduation from college. One year prior to...
Former Foster Youth Need Health Care: Dashun's Story
I spent 4 years in the foster care system in Las Vegas due to negligence and abuse. In 2010, I aged out of foster care at age 18 and lost my health insurance. Then I ended up in the hospital. My hemoglobin had dropped to critical level after years of internal bleeding. I had been dealing with this internal bleeding...
Concern Over the Uncertainty of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
For many, we wanted to start 2017 on a positive note but since the new year began, we have seen the changes of the new government begin to take effect. One of the most basic rights to citizens has been attacked and that is our access to healthcare. The Affordable Care Act helped thousands of Americans gain access to health...
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