Possibly the best option for low income families searching for affordable health insurance is a subsidy. When it comes to health insurance, subsidies are federal- or state-sponsored health care programs for individuals who meet certain criteria. The federal or state government provides financial assistance to health care providers to begin and continue low cost or free health care to low income families.

If you're a low income family and believe a subsidy may be right for you, keep the following in mind:

Income requirements – Find the income requirements of the subsidy in which you're interested. Most subsidies base income requirements on the number of people in your family. Which means, in order to be eligible, you must meet a particular monthly income based on the number of family members.

Children – Some subsidies only offer health care to entire families if there are children in the families. The age limit for children is usually 19 years old.

Location – Most cities, or at least counties, have some kind of health insurance subsidy for low income families. However, if you don't like the subsidy in your area it doesn't always mean you can travel to the next city or county. Some affordable health insurance subsidies only provide health care to low income families living in that particular area.

Your needs – What kinds of health care needs do you and your family members require? Most medical clinics sponsored by subsidies provide preventative and treatment care for specific female and male needs (Pap smears, STD checks, family planning, screenings of reproductive organs, etc.) as well as limited treatment for common colds, the flu, allergic reactions, etc. However, actual affordable health insurance plans (that don't rely on walk-in clinics) are usually more thorough. Make sure you understand what care you can and can't get before selecting a subsidy for your low income family.

Contact the Bureau of Primary Health Care for a subsidy in your area.