New York Health Insurance for Kids

Children are one of the people who need regular medical attention from recommended booster shots to regular check-ups. Parents who are struggling with providing their kids with health insurance coverage are also having a dilemma whether to have their kids covered in their policy (which drives up their premium rate) or to apply for a separate health plan for kids.  But there is another affordable option. You can look into New York health insurance programs for kids. There are two programs available – Child Health Plus, Medicaid for Kids.

Child Health Plus can provide your children with comprehensive New York health insurance coverage including dental care at little or no cost depending on the family’s income. To apply for Child Health Plus, the child must be below 19 years old and a resident of New York state. Families with income that is 1.6 times the poverty level. The premiums may range from $9, $15, $30, $45, or $60 monthly for each child depending on the family size and income. The benefit package includes:

• Well-child care services
• Physical exams
• Immunizations
• Diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury
• X-ray
• Laboratory tests
• Outpatient surgery
• Emergency care
• Prescription drugs
• Inpatient hospital care
• Inpatient surgery
• Short-term therapeutic outpatient services (chemotherapy, hemodialysis)
• Limited inpatient and outpatient treatment for alcoholism, substance abuse, and mental health
• Dental care
• Vision care
• Speech and hearing
• Durable medical equipment
• Emergency ambulance transportation to a hospital
• Hospice

To ask for more information about the program and to apply, please call 1-800-698-4KIDS (1-800-698-4543).

Children’s Medicaid is available to all children below the age of 19 and are US residents or eligible immigrants. Your family’s income should also fall within the limit. Medicaid can provide you with retroactive coverage while the application is being processed. These services are included in the benefit package:

• Regular doctor visits
• Immunizations
• Hospital care
• Emergency room care
• Prescription drugs
• Dental care
• Eyeglasses
• Specialty care
• Medical equipment

Call 311 to ask if you’re eligible to enroll your kids in Children’s Medicaid and ask them where you can enroll in your area.

Other states have CHIP for children’s Medicaid. CHIP is available in all states. CHIP is available for children until 19 years old who are US citizens or legal immigrants. Every state is given the liberty to design their own CHIP program in terms of benefits covered, premium rates, cost-sharing, application and renewal guidelines. But you can expect the following services offered in all states:

• routine doctor visits
• hospital care
• immunization
• x-ray
• laboratory tests
• dental care

To ask more information about the program and to apply, please call 1-877 KIDS NOW (1-877-543-7669).