Many families in the United States cannot afford to have a health insurance that would help them pay for the primary health care costs of their children. While some parents have employer-sponsored health insurances, but with limited coverage, whilst requiring high deductibles.
The term deductible refers to the amount paid by the insured for allowed health care services before the insurer pays the insurance coverage. Supposing the health insurance policy has a $2,000 deductible, you have to pay the first $2,000 of the covered services before the insurance co-pays the rest of the billed services including that of the pediatric doctor.
f you are in any of these predicaments, which make paying for your child’s primary health care a painful strain on your household budget, it doesn’t have to stay that way. Have awareness that there are programs that provide affordable, and in some cases, even free medical care, to meet or supplement a family’s medical insurance needs.
The most common options available to low- and middle-income include the following:
Take Your Child to Your Local Community Health Center
One alternative to give your child an affordable medical care is to visit a federally financed community health center where they offer checkups, immunizations, treatment, vaccination, dental care, mental health care, and prescription drugs. Sometimes, these centers provide the health care for free based on your income or situation. Not only that, these health centers are also the place to ask for assistance in getting a health insurance and will gladly accept said insurance once registered.
In finding a health center near your area, visit the Department of Health & Human Services’ (DHHS) “Find a Health Center” and input your zip code.
Register Your Child in Your State’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program
Public programs Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid collaborated in order to give health coverage for children under middle- and low-income families in every state. Medicaid is actually administered by states through the combination of federal and state funding while CHIP is only run by federal funding.
Medicaid has health coverage offered for people with limited income, which includes senior citizens, pregnant women, children and parents, and PWDs. Children who are lawfully admitted immigrants but whose parents were disqualified, are qualified to apply for their health coverage.
CHIP on the other hand, gives health coverage for Americans that are under 19 and belong to working families that qualify because of their parents’ income. This available to those who still struggle in paying for health insurance, but do not qualify for Medicaid becauss their income exceeds eligibility ceiling.
Although CHIP in every state varies on who are eligible apart from children and their parents, these public programs have different names depending on the state. The CHIP in Connecticut is branded as the Husky Plan, while in Delaware, it is called Delaware Healthy Children.
Children’s qualification for government programs such as CHIP and Medicaid is usually based on their family’s household income. After the child is deemed qualified and registered, they will be providing a list of medical providers who will welcome Medicaid/CHIP patients. The health coverage also covers emergencies, while also allowing appointments anytime with medical provider.
Find a Private Insurer Who Offers Free or Low-Cost Child Health Care Coverage
Through “Obamacare” or also known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, several private insurers offer free or affordable health care coverage for children of low- or middle-income families. This is made possible through government funding given by way if premium tax credits that makes health care less expensive.