Finding cheap health insurance and low income family health insurance takes a lot of planning to get the best deal. You need to look at your health needs realistically as well as resources available.

Right off, the most affordable low income family health insurance is Medicaid. The federal government works with the state governments to operate this program. Income is a major factor, but not the only factor by far. Medicaid has a lot of rules, regulations and requirements, so it is important to check with the proper authorities. In line with Medicaid is the Healthy Kids Program. This is a cheap health insurance policy that covers school children.

Another way of finding cheap health insurance for a low income family by buying your health insurance a la carte. Some insurance companies sell different coverage levels, making a bare minimum cheap health insurance policy available for emergency coverage. Plans like these typically have much lower premiums.

Some other options include high-risk insurance pools in some states, or short-term health insurance that covers only for a short period of time. Cheap health insurance also can be found with insurance company plans that are negotiated competitively like employer health plans but for private individuals. They do not cover pre-existing conditions and will have high deductibles, meaning more out-of-pocket expenses should you need health care. However, they will account for many emergencies.

Low income families are about to have many more options. The comprehensive that became law in March 2010 expands coverage options for low income individuals and families. New health insurance exchanges based in states will sell relatively cheap health insurance to low income families. Medicaid also will be expanded to cover people who have 1 1/3 times the federal poverty level for income. That line was $18,310 in 2010 for a family of three.

Insurers within states will have to offer at least two multi-state plan options. A co-op program will promote creation of non-profit health insurance plans that are run by members and designed to lower costs for low income households.

Insurance premium credits will also be available. These are intended for low income families whose members work, but are not included in an employer's health insurance. Some cheap health insurance premiums will be refunded based on a sliding scale.

Low income family health insurance and cheap health insurance will be the most basic of the four tiers that will be available. The so-called bronze plan will provide minimum coverage and health care benefits. The bronze plan will cover 60 percent of costs with an out-of-pocket limit equal to the Health Savings Account (HSA) law.