Monday, December 29, 2008

How Parents Can Get Health Insurance For Their Children

By Jordan FeRoss

Children generally visit their pediatrician than anyone else sees their doctor. This is often due to illness caused by a child not practicing good hygiene, such as hand washing, before putting their hands in their mouths. They become ill and spread germs and viruses very quickly. Medical bills can quickly become overwhelming for parents, especially if they do have health insurance in Texas. There are resources available for parents so that their children can be insured even if they cannot afford to do so without assistance.

Families that meet certain guidelines may be able to qualify for health insurance in Texas through state or federal programs. These options are usually available for families who are unemployed or underemployed that do not have the option of an employer sponsored health insurance plan.

The most popular and well-known federal insurance plan is known as Medicaid. The Medicaid plan works through the cooperation of the state and federal government. This plan provides health insurance in Texas for people who can't afford it, especially pregnant women and children. There is no charge to the recipient for this health care plan, but the requirements must be met in order to qualify.

To meet the eligibility requirements and receive Medicaid health insurance in Texas, applicants must meet the following criteria: state of Texas resident and US citizen or legal alien. Children whose parents reside in the US legally also qualify for Medicaid. Family income and expenses as well medical history are all considered when an application for Medicaid is submitted.

In the state, there is a government agency that handles eligibility requirements for children that need Medicaid health insurance in Texas. In some cases, depending on the situation, some families will automatically get assistance. In order to continue with eligibility, the families' finances are reviewed every six months.

Another option for children to get health insurance in Texas is known as CHIP. The Children's Health Insurance Program or CHIP is another program funded by both the state and federal government. This plan provides health insurance in Texas for families whose income exceeds the maximum amounts for Medicaid coverage, but who still do not make enough money to pay for their own insurance plan. This insurance coverage provides the same type of coverage you would expect to find in a paid insurance plan.

CHIP's sliding-scale model means people pay for their medical services based on their household income to keep costs manageable. Parents may be responsible for nominal co-Similar to Medicaid, applicants go through the state agency for public health insurance in Texas and there are similar eligibility requirements with slightly higher income parameters. CHIP recipients undergo annual re-assessments to continue their coverage by the program. Children need and deserve adequate health insurance in Texas and no one should go without it because of an inability to pay for it when there are so many resources available to provide the needed assistance and make it possible to be insured. - 16459

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