Children’s Health Insurance Program

MotivationAugust 19, 2017

A children’s health insurance program covers people who are below the age of 19, whose parents earn an income that is higher to qualify for Medicaid but is insufficient to pay for private coverage. Every state has different children’s health insurance programs. However, all these plans cover routine checkups, immunizations, doctor visits, prescriptions, laboratory services, hospital Care, dental care, x-rays, and emergency services. Some states also offer cover for parents and pregnant women.

“Well, there are about 10 million children that aren’t covered by health insurance. About 3 million qualify for Medicaid but don’t get it, so we’re going to reach out and bring more of those kids into the Medicaid program.” — Franklin Raines

The Children’s Health Insurance Program

In 1997, The US Federal Program implemented the children’s health insurance program which is administered by the states. Every state has a different name for the program it promotes. In New York, the program is called Child Health Plus. The federal government matches the funding that is provided by the state and is, therefore, similar to the Medicaid program.

In 2009, an update to the program made funds available to help locate and enroll eligible children who were not served by the program by then.Many parents whose children had qualified for the program had not applied because they believed that the enrollment process is difficult, and they felt that they did not qualify financially.

What Are The Qualifications For the Program?

Most states have stipulated that a family of four with an annual earning of $45,000 qualifies for the children’s health insurance program, but some states have higher limits for the qualification. In some instances, children qualify for children’s Medicaid rather than the children’s health insurance program. Parents who live with a child for more than 50% of the time are eligible to submit an application on behalf of the child.

The children’s health insurance program offers some medical services free of charge such as regular checkups, but other treatments require a copayment to be made. However, there is a stipulation that the premium cannot exceed 5% of the policyholder’s annual household income. Applicable enrollment fees and co-pays are based on the policyholder’s ability to make payments.

Importance

The health insurance program is beneficial for parents who do not receive health insurance coverage from their employers to cover for their children. It makes it possible for children to have a doctor regularly keeping a tab on their health while enabling their parents to save a significant amount of money that they would otherwise have spent on the exorbitant cost of healthcare.

The rising costs of healthcare have made it difficult for most people to obtain the services needed for themselves and also their children. Unlike adults, children are susceptible to illnesses and injuries. Therefore, lack of proper insurance coverage will burden the parents with costs they cannot afford. There have been cases where children have not received adequate attention simply because their parents could not afford the high cost of treatment. Fortunately, the children’s health insurance program makes it possible for parents to enroll their children for the required treatment.

The affordable health care act has made it mandatory for everyone to have a health insurance coverage. Presently it is the responsibility of parents to make proper inquiries and invest in the children’s health insurance program to take advantage of the affordable healthcare.