Health Insurance Plans for Kids

Families with kids can find children's health care insurance provided by nonprofit organizations and federal, state and local governments. Plans offer a range of coverage options, including major medical, dental and vision care. Programs can pay for doctor visits, hospital services, prescription drugs, substance abuse treatments and emergency services. The majority of plans have income limits and premium rates vary, depending on the program.

Children's Health Insurance Program

• The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health insurance for children whose families do not qualify for Medicaid due to income limits, but do not make enough money to pay for private health insurance. Funded by state and federal funds, state governments administer individual CHIP programs. States can design their own CHIP program, defining eligibility, application procedures, benefits and premium costs. Benefits can include doctor visits, dental services, vaccinations, hospital services, laboratory testing, mental health services and eye examinations. Select state programs offer free coverage for qualified children, while other programs require monthly premiums and co-payments. CHIP programs offer coverage for legal residents and U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or younger.

State-sponsored Plans

• A variety of states provide their own insurance programs for kids. The state of Washington offers the Apple Health for Kids program for children from families who meet income limits. Coverage costs range from free to $30 per month for one child and a maximum of $60 per month per family. Apple Health for Kids offers benefits such as ambulance services, dental care, emergency services, surgery, hospital services, prescription drugs, immunizations, doctor visits and laboratory services.

  The State of Maryland provides Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP), offering health insurance coverage for children under the age of 19 from low-income families. MCHP benefits include doctor visits, dental care, substance abuse treatment, vision care, hospital services, prescription drugs, immunizations and mental health services.

Local Plans

• A number of U.S. cities offer their own insurance plans for children from low-income families. The Healthy Kids program in San Francisco, California, offers health coverage for uninsured children under the age of 18, with premiums ranging between $48 and $189 per year. Healthy Kids benefits include doctor visits, specialist services, dental care, mental health services, vision care, substance abuse programs, hospital services, immunizations and prescription drugs. Healthy Kids offers coverage for children who do not qualify for full Medi-Cal coverage (California's Medicaid program), including San Francisco residents, qualified immigrants and undocumented immigrants. Income limits apply for all Healthy Kids applicants.

  The Health Plus program in Nassau County and New York City offers insurance coverage for children through its Child Health Plus plan. Program costs depend on the number of family members and income. The plan offers coverage for children under 19 years of age who do not qualify for Medicaid and do not have health insurance. Open to residents of Nassau, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Bronx, Queens and Manhattan, Child Health Plus benefits include immunizations, substance abuse services, hospital care, prescription drugs, vision care, laboratory services, emergency services and dental care.