Why Do Kids Need Health Insurance?

The arrival of the new family member is one of the most joyous moments in one's life. In your role of a parent who is expecting a child or adopting one, you will start to get busy once he/she enters the scene. Thus, it might be a good choice for you to take some time to learn about the health insurance options for your child at the earliest. 

• A child should have medical health insurance to get preventive health services like dental care and regular check-ups and get covered when he/she gets injured or sick. 

• Children who have health insurance coverage are likely to receive early care for their health problems, which results in a lower risk of hospitalization when the situation escalates.

• Children with health insurance have a better chance of getting immunizations to prevent diseases and thus have an overall better quality of life.

• Though medical insurance can cover the costs at the crisis, the parents should be responsible for the child’s appropriate and timely care. Also, the families decide where and when the child gets formal care for the sickness or the injuries. 

The importance of child health insurance coverage has been emphasized for a long time, and it was not until 2015 a change was noted. By 2015, 95% of the U.S. children were insured, and the record was at 93% for Latino children.

Also Read: Advantage Medicare

Two methods of health insurance for your child

There are usually two methods by which you can get an insurance policy for your child.

Family Health Insurance

• Most times, parents who work get their family insurance covered by their employer. You should enroll your child on the existing plan by informing the relevant authorities at your workplace.

• If you have a private family insurance policy, then you will have to update the details of the child to your insurance agent so that you add them to the coverage offered by the plan. If you have family health insurance through Covered California, then you can update the details in your Covered California account.

Child-only Health Insurance

• If your child does not get coverage in the family health insurance or you need a different insurance policy for your child, then you can choose the child-only health insurance policies. 

• For free coverage, you can check out the children's Health Insurance Coverage (CHIP) or Medicaid programs. CHIP is a state-administered program and is funded by states and the federal government. CHIP focuses on children from low-income families. To check eligibility and get further details, contact your insurance agent.

Before we go

Allied Brokers is a full-service insurance brokerage, and we have helped people in California with insurance products since 1954. If you have any queries or need further details, feel free to contact the toll-free number 1-888-505-7988.