Health Insurance for Infants
Child health insurance is a health plan for a child, or children, without an adult on the same policy. While the rates for infants under 1 year old are higher, child health insurance can be very reasonably priced for healthy children. Health insurance plans for infants should include well-child baby visits and routine exams that include blood tests and other diagnostic exams. To make the plan affordable, high deductible plans are OK as long as they have the preventive care benefits.
Health Insurance for Children
Once beyond the toddler stage, children's health insurance becomes even more affordable. That's because children in the elementary school age group are less likely to develop serious illnesses. Heath insurance plans that include good coverage for emergency room visits is important at this age, becuase K-8 school age kids are more susceptible to accidents. Teenagers are even more accident prone what with driving and contact sports. For health insurance purposes, they are considered children until age 18.
Consider a Child Health Plan With an HSA
You may want to combine a high-deductible health insurance plan with a health savings account (HSA). This also offers a tax-advantaged savings vehicle to pay for medical expenses within the deductible, but also for things not covered by a health plan like orthodontics. Smart parents can pay for their child's braces with pre-tax dollars.
Children's Health Insurance Programs
There are also programs for families that fall within published low-income guidelines. Children's Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) are state programs supported by federal funds that provide the children (usually up to age 19) of low-income families with health insurance coverage at little or no cost to the child's family.
Get Started with Your Child's Health Insurance
Child health insurance is a must-have item. Want to find out more about health insurance? Get an instant online quote and compare plans from the best insurance companies. Find the coverage your child needs -- and you can afford.
