Kentucky Health Care for Children With No Insurance

Rising costs of health care are a concern for many families in Kentucky. From time to time, you may find yourself between jobs, unable to obtain insurance or unable to afford insurance. Children's access to health care does not have to be dependent on the financial situation of their parents. The State of Kentucky, the U.S. government and other agencies have worked to provide several low-cost health-care options for all children living in Kentucky.

KCHIP

• The Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) is the largest health care plan for children in the State of Kentucky. This program is available for all children younger than 19 years. KCHIP covers children in families whose earnings exceed the requirements for the Medicaid program.
  Children enrolled in this program are eligible for the following medical care services: physician visits, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, dental care, mental-health care, vision care and glasses, laboratory services, prescription drugs, hearing care, speech therapy, immunizations and other specialized medical services. Depending on your financial and health-care needs, a low cost co-payment may be charged to you for certain services.

Kentucky Child Now!

• This innovative health-care initiative provides Kentucky children access to quality health care at or near their schools. The state of Kentucky currently has 16 of these health-care facilities serving more than 21,000 students. These facilities diagnose, treat, refer and follow up on routine and serious illnesses for school-age children. Community health organizations and schools have partnered to provide on-site opportunities for all children to obtain medical, dental and mental health care. If your child is a student in Kentucky, check with your school administrator to see if a school-based health care program in your area.

Maternal and Child Health Care

• The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs is a nationally run organization with a strongly established presence in Kentucky. The current AMCHP program serves more than 300,000 individuals in the State of Kentucky. The goal of AMCHP is to provide for the health care needs for children, woman and families. Some of the services this organization provides include: transportation and clinical services for children with special needs, metabolic screening for newborn children, the HANDS service to provide in-home medical services for first time parents for up to two years, and newborn hearing screening.

Family Medicaid Programs

• The U.S. government offers low-income families the opportunity to apply for benefits and assistance, including Medicaid health-care programs. All U.S. citizens, including families in Kentucky, who meet the current income requirements may apply. These health benefits cover a variety of basic and specialized health care needs at a low cost. To apply for these benefits contact: CHFS DFS Medicaid Policy, 275 E. Main St., 3E-I Frankfort, KY 40621, [phone].

Find Kentucky State Health Care

• The State of Kentucky provides health-care assistance for children in its county health-care centers. These centers provide services in lead screening, immunizations, wel-child care visits and nutrition counseling among other services. Services are available at low or no cost, depending on your financial situation.