Health Insurance Policies for Children

Less than half of U.S. children receive adequate health care and screenings during childhood, according to The Commonwealth Fund. Since the passage of The Affordable Care Act, many parents may find it easier to provide adequate care for their children with a variety of health insurance coverage options.

Eligibility

• Soon after Congress and President Barack Obama enacted The Affordable Care Act in March 2010, insurance companies stopped denying health insurance coverage to children because of pre-existing conditions. The provision includes all children younger than 19. While many health insurance companies no longer sell child-only health insurance policies, parents can add their children to a private or employer-provided health insurance policy with no obstacles.

Coverage

• All health insurance policies must provide preventive care to both children and adults at no cost to the policy-holder. For children, this means parents will not have to pay a co-pay, deductible or coinsurance for routine childhood vaccinations, well-checks and hearing and vision screenings. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should have at least nine well-checks with a pediatrician or family doctor by age 2 and 17 more visits by age 21.

Enrollment

• Enrollment for children is determined by state laws governing health insurance enrollment periods. Some states offer mandatory open-enrollment periods, while others do not. By law, however, health insurance companies cannot offer open enrollment solely to children without pre-existing conditions. Instead, all children qualify for enrollment during the same periods, regardless of health needs or histories.

Public Health Insurance

• Federal and state governments offer two types of public health insurance for children who meet eligibility guidelines. Each state offers the two programs and regulates its own qualifications for acceptance. Families with the most limited income qualify for Medicaid, which offers health benefits at no cost to the family. Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, on the other hand, is a low-cost program that provides comprehensive benefits to children under age 19. Children accepted into either program may receive benefits retroactive for up to three months prior to their application date. To apply for Medicaid or CHIP, contact your state's health and human services department.