Every kind of insurance sold in Alabama is regulated by Alabama's Department of Insurance. This means if you are having trouble finding affordable health insurance in Alabama, you can contact the Department of Insurance for assistance. The Alabama Department of Insurance can give you specific information about health insurance for adults such as the Alabama Health Insurance Plan, for children such as Allkids, and for seniors, including Medicare and Medicaid. The Alabama State Health Insurance Assistance Program, also known as SHIP, provides information about Medicare, while the Alabama Medicaid Agency can help you obtain affordable Alabama health insurance if you meet certain qualifications.

If you obtain your health insurance through your employer in the form of an employer-sponsored group health plan, your health insurance is also regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration, or the EBSA. While the EBSA may not be able to help you find Alabama affordable health insurance, they can help you with any situations you may have with your current health insurance plan. Such situations may include:

• Not being offered Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, also known as COBRA, continuation health care coverage even though you believe you were eligible

• Feeling that your health insurance plan was terminated on unjust grounds

• Having general concerns about the way your employer handles the group health insurance plan offered to his or her employees

Both the Alabama Department of Insurance and the Employee Benefits Security Administration will be able to help you if you have any questions or concerns about your COBRA continuation health care coverage, as well as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, also known as HIPAA.

You can shop for affordable health insurance online, but to ensure you are getting Alabama-specific information and coverage, your first stop should be the Alabama's Department of Insurance or the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration, depending on your situation.