Green Mountain Care Programs
Green Mountain Care is a family of low-cost and free health coverage programs for uninsured Vermonters. Offered by the state of Vermont and its partners, Green Mountain Care programs offer no or low co-payments and premiums to keep out-of-pocket costs reasonable. There may be a program for you, no matter how much you earn.
New! Catamount Health (premium assistance now available!)
New! Employer-Sponsored Insurance (ESI) Premium Assistance
Dr. Dynasaur
Vermont Health Access Plan (VHAP)
Medicaid
Prescription Assistance
New! Catamount Health (premium assistance now available!)
Catamount Health is a new health insurance plan that became available for enrollment on October 1, 2007 and is offered in cooperation with the state of Vermont, by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and MVP Health Care. It provides comprehensive, quality health coverage at a reasonable cost no matter how much you earn. You may also get help paying your premiums based on your income.
Who can enroll?
Catamount Health is designed for Vermonters age 18 or older and families who are not eligible for existing state-sponsored coverage programs such as Medicaid, Medicare or Vermont Health Access Plan (VHAP) and who have been uninsured for 12 months or more or have recently lost their insurance because of a life change such as a divorce or loss of a job (Read further information on Catamount Health qualifications). You’re likely eligible for Catamount Health if you are an adult making more than $1,307*a month (higher for larger households) or a parent making more than $1,612* a month (higher for larger households) and do not have access to insurance through your employer (Although you may be eligible even if you have access to your employer insurance if your monthly income is $2,613 or less).
What services are covered?
Benefits include doctor visits, check-ups and screenings, hospital visits, emergency care, chronic disease care, prescription medicines and more.
How much does it cost?
Premium assistance is available for Catamount Health based on income and eligibility. (Read further information on Catamount Health Premium Assistance qualifications). Monthly premiums range from $60-$393 based on income (see chart below), office visit co-payments are $10, prescriptions range from $10-$50 and deductibles are $250 for individuals and $500 for families (in network).
| Monthly Individual Income* | Monthly Premium |
| $1,307 - $1,742 | $60 |
| $1,743 - $1,960 | $90 |
| $1,961 - $2,178 | $110 |
| $2,179 - $2,395 | $125 |
| $2,396 - $2,613 | $135 |
| More than $2,613 |
$393.11**
(no premium assistance)
|
* You may still qualify if your monthly income is up to $200 per month higher if you have earned income and/or child care expenses (higher for larger households).
**Subject to change.
New! Employer-Sponsored Insurance (ESI) Premium Assistance
Uninsured Vermonters can also get help with paying their employer’s health insurance premiums if you meet all of the following criteria:
- You are eligible to enroll in Catamount Health or the Vermont Health Access Plan (VHAP);
- Your income is less than or equal to $2,613* a month for one person (higher for larger households).
- Your employer’s plan has comprehensive benefits; and
- It is more cost-effective for the state to provide premium assistance to enroll in your employer’s plan than to provide premium assistance to enroll in Catamount Health or VHAP.
Read New Assistance for Employees for more information about Employer-Sponsored Insurance (ESI) Premium Assistance.
* You may still qualify if your monthly income is up to $200 per month higher if you have earned income and/or child care expenses (higher for larger households).
Dr. Dynasaur
Dr. Dynasaur provides low-cost or free health coverage for children, teenagers under age 18 and pregnant women.
Who can enroll?
Eligibility is based on family income. Income guidelines are based on your family size. A family of two can earn up to and including $3,512* per month, a family of three can earn up to and including $4,412* per month and a family of four can earn up to and including $5,312* per month and still be eligible.
What services are covered?
Benefits include doctor visits, prescription medicines, dental care, skin care, hospital visits, vision care, mental health care, immunizations and special services for pregnant women such as lab work and tests, prenatal vitamins and more.
How much does it cost?
Monthly premiums range from $0-$40 depending on your family’s income and there are no co-payments.
* You may still qualify if your monthly income is up to $200 per month higher if you have earned income and/or child care expenses (higher for larger households).
Vermont Health Access Plan (VHAP)
VHAP is a health insurance program for low-income uninsured adults age 18 and older who have been uninsured for 12 months or more or have recently lost their insurance because of a life change such as a divorce or loss of a job. (Read further information on VHAP qualifications.)
Who can enroll?
Adults without children can earn up to and including $1,306* per month and parents can make up to and including $2,166* per month for a family of two, $2,721* per month for a family of three, and $3,276* per month for a family of four and still be eligible.
What services are covered?
VHAP covers a wide range of services including hospital care, prescription medicines, mental health and doctor visits.
How much does it cost?
Monthly premiums for your VHAP coverage are based on your household income or you may get assistance from the state to help pay a monthly portion of your employer’s health plan. (Read further information on Employer-Sponsored Insurance (ESI) Premium Assistance.)
Good news! VHAP recently reduced the cost of premiums by 35 percent! Premiums for VHAP now range from $7-$49, depending on your income and the only co-payment is $25 for emergency room visits.
* You may still qualify if your monthly income is up to $200 per month higher if you have earned income and/or child care expenses (higher for larger households).
Medicaid
Medicaid provides low-cost or free coverage for low-income children, young adults under age 21, parents, pregnant women, caretaker relatives, people who are blind or disabled, and those age 65 or older.
Who can enroll?
Eligibility is based on your income and resources (e.g., cash, bank accounts, etc.). In some cases, even those Vermonters enrolled in Medicare may also be eligible for Medicaid.
What services are covered?
Medicaid covers most health care services such as doctor visits, hospital care, prescription medicines, vision and dental care, long-term care, physical therapy and more.
How much does it cost?
Medicaid is a low-cost program, and costs may include co-payments of $3 for outpatient visits, prescription medicines and dentist visits. Children, pregnant women and people in nursing facilities never have to pay co-payments.
Prescription Assistance
Vermont has several Prescription Assistance programs to help uninsured Vermonters and those enrolled in Medicare pay for prescription medicines based on your income, disability status and age. These programs include:
- VPharm assists Vermonters who are enrolled in Medicare Part D with paying for prescription medicines. This includes people age 65 and older as well as people of all ages with disabilities.
- VHAP-Pharmacy helps Vermonters age 65 and older and people with disabilities who are not enrolled in Medicare pay for eye exams and prescription medicines for short-term and long-term medical problems and includes an affordable monthly premium.
- VScript helps Vermonters age 65 and older and people of all ages with disabilities who are not enrolled in Medicare pay for prescription medicines for long-term medical problems. There is also an affordable monthly premium based on your income.
- Healthy Vermonters provides a discount on short-term and long-term prescription medicines. There are no monthly premiums and eligibility is based on your family income.
