Understanding Your Medical Insurance

Posted on: 15 July 2019

If you are a low-income parent, odds are you really cannot afford to not have medical insurance plans for your children. Kids get sick so frequently that it can be difficult to pay for their doctors' visits even with insurance, and almost impossible without. Babies are difficult because a very slight fever can send them to the hospital, while school-age children are exposed to many illnesses at school. Teenagers share drinks and hold hands, swapping germs and getting sick frequently, and you are somehow supposed to be able to cover all of their medical needs.

Luckily, there are several government-run programs that can help parents to afford healthcare for their children. A few programs that are common to several states include:

Medicaid. Medicaid is a government program that offers health care to specific individuals who fall under the federal poverty level, pregnant mothers, children, those with disabilities, and even the elderly. To apply for Medicaid, one must go to their local department of human services office and fill out the appropriate paperwork.

CHIP. CHIP is the Children's Health Insurance Program. This is a special program that helps to cover the medical insurance cost for children when their parents are not eligible for Medicaid. The CHIP program can be called different things in different states, so contact your local department of human services office for more information.

If you make above the federal poverty level, you may not be eligible for the above-mentioned services. There are a few private insurance companies that can offer low-cost insurance plans for your children, which can be sought out locally. Some of these private insurance companies can offer insurance plans through the marketplace or exchange. This is a specific type of insurance that can have some tax benefits or may be cheaper than normal due to money from the government that may help with expenses.

Community Centers. Another way to pay for your child's healthcare needs is to visit a local community health center and pay for services as they are needed. For example, your child needs to see a doctor for a prescription to get over a respiratory infection. Instead of paying for an insurance premium and then a copay, these community health centers offer their services for just a small copay, as well as a copay for your medication. 

You also might consider talking to health representatives about private funds and donations that are available to low-income families.