Healthcare Shopper Advice

Answers to Your Questions About Health Insurance

Children's Health Insurance

Income Too High to Qualify for State Childrens' Health Insurance

Question: I am a single parent with a job that does qualify my children for all kids coverage under the guidelines, however, when you add my child support into our income, we have too much. My shopping around is getting us nowhere fast, insurance comparable to bcbs is ranging from $590.00-$900.00 a month. What can you suggest? I really had hoped that bcbs all kids would cover them.Thank you.

Answer: If you cannot afford health insurance for the whole family you can analyze your family's risks and protect yourself from the biggest risks with the least amount of premium. So let's take a look at some scenarios.

If one or more of your children are still infants, purchase health insurance for the infant only. That child will need to see the doctor frequently for well-baby visits and is more at risk for minor illnesses than your older children. Buy a plan thet covers preventive care and doctor visits for a copay for that child. It will cost you about $100 monthly. If that's all you can do right now. So be it.

Let's say one of your children has a chronic illness - like Asthma. That condition could lead to a very expensive emergency room visit. You could cover that child with a low-cost high-deductible health insurance plan for about $60 per month. If he or she has an emergency room visit without insurance, your cost might be $25,000, with cheap insurance your portion might be as low as $2,000. If that's all you can do, just do it.

You can insure all your children against the most expensive risks (hospitalization) for a lot less money than you mentioned - $590 minimum (assuming you don't have 10 kids.) You were probably looking at plans that cover doctor visits, diagnostic exams, etc. These are not high-dollar expenses and health insurance plans that include them are too expensive for you. Check locally for "free clinics" or low cost community clinics that can provide your kids with treatment of minor illnesses and immunizations.

Hope this helps.

Posted by Phil Daigle on September 18, 2008 6:28 AM
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Low cost health insurance for children

Question: What is available for the family who makes to much for low cost health insurance, but still is unable to afford health insurance for children

Answer: Your question is not entirely clear to me, but I'll try to answer what I believe you are asking. If your family income is too high to qualify for your state's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you will be faced with purchasing individual health insurance for your child. Premiums for the most basic plans are a minimum of $50 per month.

Posted by Phil Daigle on January 17, 2008 11:46 AM
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Court Ordered Coverage for Child

Question: What do I do about this? The court says I have to get insurance for my son in Houston Texas but I live in Wisconsin. I tried to do a application on teh computer but its asking for all kinds of infomation I dont have about him. I didnt even know I had a son until last week.

Answer: This can be challenging but it's doable. In the first instance I would recommend using a paper application rather than completing one online. Let me know if you need help with this part. You will then need to contact the primary care giver for your son in Texas. You'll need to go through the application with them over the phone. They will also need to sign and date the application seeing as they are the child's guardian. You may want to wait until you receive the signed form back before you complete the payor information and submit it for consideration by the insurance company.

Posted by Phil Daigle on June 14, 2007 9:28 AM
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Child Denied Coverage

Question: I applied for my 5 year old son for the Blue Cross Tonik plan and they denied him which was a huge surprise to me. He's a healthy young boy with no health problems whatsoever. He gets a flare up of excema now and then and I use a cream and it calms down right away. Is it right that they denied him for something so simple or is this just the insurance company being all about the money?

Answer: The Blue Cross Tonik plan is an unusual plan in that the underwriting guidelines differ from those of any other plan that Blue Cross of California offers. The rates and benefits are excellent and are set up in such a way that only people without ongoing health conditions, with few medical exceptions, are accepted on to the plan. Blue Cross have many other offerings that your son would be eligible for so I would recommend contacting them again and reviewing those options. Alternately, there are other plans and insurance companies that would accept your son. Be prepared for a possible increase in premium however.

Posted by Phil Daigle on June 8, 2007 7:46 AM
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Child only application

Question: Can I make an application for my two daughters without me having to be on the plan? I have insurance from my employer but Its too much to add my kids on.

Answer: Yes, it's fine to take out a child-only policy. This is becoming an ever more popular choice given the expense of adding dependants to group policies. You should fill out the application with your youngest daughter as the primary insured and sign it in your name as the responsible party. When you run a quote you should choose child-only plans.

Posted by Phil Daigle on June 7, 2007 2:22 PM
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Guaranteed Options for Children in Texas

Question: My ex wife and son live in Texas and I've been told by the court to get health insurance for my son. he has PDD NOS so I cant get regular insurance for him. What are my options or maybe I should ask do I have any options at this point?

Answer: PDD-NOS or Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified is a condition that I have limited experience with. I suspect that, as you say, it may not be possible to find insurance for your son. There are guaranteed options for children in your state with CHIP. Texas CHIP is for uninsured state residents under the age of 19. Applicants also need to be U.S. citizens or legal residents. Also, family income must fall within the posted family income guidelines. Usually there is a 90 day waiting period before program benefits start.

If you do not meet the income guidelines for this plan I would consider Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool. Coverage is guaranteed and you do not need to meet any income parameters. Good luck.

Posted by Phil Daigle on June 7, 2007 12:03 PM
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