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Every parent wants his or her child to be happy and healthy. Fortunately, there are several ways to get health insurance for Children without breaking the bank.

Choices for Kids’ Health Insurance

There are various options for finding health insurance for your child.

The introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) necessitates insurance providers to allow children under the age of 26 to remain on your health insurance plan. Consequently, very few insurance providers now offer child-only plan options. Nevertheless, you do have a few different options for finding health insurance for your child.

Private Family Health Insurance Plan

If you are self-employed or do not qualify for health insurance through your employer, you can buy an independent family plan on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace. ACA family plans are more affordable than purchasing an individual health insurance plan for each member of your family.

Every plan you see on the ACA Marketplace comprises at least the 10 legally-required essential health benefits for both you and your kid. Some essential benefits consist of preventive care, vaccinations, lab tests, and hospitalization. ACA health insurance plans must also cover vision and dental care for any children under the age of 19 on your plan.

Short Term Child-Only Health Insurance Plans

Want to fill a short gap in coverage, but you are low on cash? You can purchase a short-term health insurance plan for your child. Short term plans are usually the most affordable health insurance option you will see but offer limited benefits.

Short term plans don’t need to offer the minimum essential benefits established by the ACA and may deny coverage for preexisting conditions. You should only consider a short-term plan if you cannot add your child to a long-term ACA-compliant plan at this time. Short-term insurance plans are unlawful in some states, and others put caps on how long you can have your plan.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

CHIP is a low-cost health insurance program for families who earn a lot of money to qualify for Medicaid. Every state has its own standards for CHIP income regulations. CHIP also covers expectant women in some states.

The specific health insurance options available to you will depend on where you stay, how much money you earn, and your family size.

Requirements for Insuring Your Children

Children must be below 26 years to be under your health insurance plan.

Your kid must meet the following stipulations to be eligible as a dependent on your insurance plan.

• Age: Your kid must be under the age of 26 to remain on your ACA-compliant private insurance plan or your employer-sponsored health care plan.
• Relationship to you: Your kid must be biologically related to you, or officially adopted in the case of a foster child or stepchild, to qualify as a dependent on your insurance.
• Residency: Your child must have lived with you for at least 6 months to be eligible as your dependent.
• Income contributions: Your kid may work and pay for his or her own expenses while also remaining dependent on your health insurance plan. Nevertheless, your kid cannot financially support him or herself while remaining on your plan. This means that your kid’s total income must be less than 50% of his or her care costs.
• Tax filing: Your child cannot remain dependent on your health insurance if he or she filed a joint tax return last year.
• Other claim concerns: Your kid can only be claimed as a dependent by a single household. If somebody else has claimed your child as a dependent, you can’t add him or her to your health insurance plan as a dependent. This is irrespective of your biological relationship to the child.

Your kid must meet all of the above criteria to qualify for CHIP. Your household must also attain income considerations. Every state has a different maximum income to be eligible. Start by creating a profile at Healthcare.gov to learn more about your state’s qualification standards.

Resources and References:

• Children’s Health Insurance Program
• The Affordable Care Act