How to purchase health insurance for children

Health insurance allows people access to health care services. People pay a lower premium when healthy to avoid larger bills if they get sick. Health insurance for children is designed to help children get necessary preventable medical care such as vaccines and annual check-ups. Health insurance for children is also designed to help parents avoid much larger medical bills should their children get a serious disease. The right health insurance should serve all your child's medical needs and have affordable premiums.

Instructions

• 1

  Investigate available options. Child health insurance can be purchased via several basic methods. Your employer may provide a family coverage option that allows you to insure all members of your family, including your spouse and all dependent children. Private insurance companies also sell health insurance plans for children. If you meet certain financial guidelines, your children are eligible for state insurance plans for children at less cost. A state plan will offer coverage only to your children.

• 2

  Research what the plan covers. Health insurance for children will generally cover basics such as childhood vaccinations, doctor's visits for minor illnesses and many doctor's bills should your child develop a serious illness such as cancer. Get all information in writing in advance. This should have a list of the required premiums and any excluded conditions.

• 3

  Investigate costs. Find out what you can expect to pay for a typical doctor's visit. You should also know what you could expect to pay if your child needs surgery or hospitalization. Plans may also include prescription drug coverage. Your insurance provider should have a list of drugs that are covered. If your child has a pre-existing condition such as asthma, find out if your child's medications are covered. You may be able to get a preferred medication covered if your child's pediatrician deems it necessary.

• 4

  Get a list of participating providers. Any health insurance plan for children should include a list of doctors who specifically work with children such as pediatricians. The list should also include further information about specialists and your access to them. You should know in advance if your child needs authorization to see a pediatric heart specialist or allergist. You should also know what expenses you can expect to incur should you need to see a pediatrician who is not in your network.

• 5

  Find out which additional services are covered. A child may need to see a speech therapist to overcome a minor speech impediment. Children may also need additional medical devices such as glasses or hearing aids. A health insurance plan for children should clearly indicate which additional medical services are available should your child need them.