Once school starts, life speeds up. There are homework, training, permission slips and early mornings. Before the agenda fills up, take a moment to make sure your child has health insurance for next year.
Eligible people can access free or low-cost health coverage through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or Medicaid in their state.
With health coverage, your children and teens can receive the care they need to stay healthy and do well in school.
Do you think your family may not qualify?
Maybe you’ll get a surprise. Many families may qualify for coverage without knowing it! Requirements vary by state and are based on family income and household size.
In most states, children up to age 19 in a family of four with incomes up to $80,000 a year may qualify for coverage. In some states, children may still qualify even if the family income is higher.
Covering your child helps you give them the medical care they may need. When a child is sick, the right medications help him or her return to school.
If a child has trouble concentrating, there are resources to help. If your child doesn’t see as well as others, these programs cover the cost of glasses.
Healthy children are self-confident children, prepared to take advantage of all opportunities both inside and outside the classroom!
Why health coverage should be on your child’s back-to-school list
Having health coverage can help families like yours send children and teens to school prepared to learn.
Depending on the program and the child’s individual needs, Medicaid and CHIP provide eligible children, up to age 18 (Medicaid) or 19 (CHIP), with a variety of services to support their health throughout the year, such as:
– Annual exams and school physicals to prepare children to learn, play and participate.
– Preventive care to detect health needs in time and keep children healthy throughout the year.
– Dental care to help prevent toothaches, cavities and school absences.
– Vision and hearing services to promote learning and participation in the classroom.
– Mental health care to support emotional well-being and school success.
– Prescription medications and treatments to help manage symptoms and stay on track
– Specialized services for children with disabilities, to support their growth and learning.
How to apply
You can apply for Medicaid and CHIP in several ways:
– By phone
– By mail
– In person, at your state Medicaid or CHIP office
– Find your state information online at InsureKidsNow.gov/coverage
Act now to get your child covered before he or she needs medical care. Enrollment for these programs is open year-round, meaning families don’t have to wait for a specific time of year to get coverage.
Once enrolled, coverage must be renewed every twelve months, so it’s important to keep your address, email, and phone number up to date with your state’s Medicaid or CHIP office to avoid missing important renewal information.
Visit InsureKidsNow.gov or call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669) for more information.
This information is provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. This communication was printed, published or produced and disseminated at the expense of US taxpayers.
