1/15/2008

Finding the Right Health Insurance for Children and Students

Both children and students require health insurance coverage. Finding the right plan for your child can be a tedious, but not impossible process if you have some help.

Health Insurance for Children

The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which is a plan called Title XXI, was passed by Congress in 1997. SCHIP was approved in order to deal with the growing number of children in the United States who did not have any kind of health insurance. The incomes of many American families were high enough that they wouldn't get approved for Medicaid. However, their incomes still weren't that large to enable them to afford private health insurance policies for their children. With the SCHIP coverage, a family is charged only 5% of their gross income. Many are even able to receive it free of cost.

The policies for health insurance plans for children differ from one state to another. However, all states are mandated to provide coverage for a minimum healthy baby and healthy child physicals, immunizations and emergency services that a child may need in the future.

If you already have a health insurance policy for your child, be it under your group insurance plan or any other insurance plan you have, your child does not qualify for the state's coverage.

Do some research if you discover that your children are not eligible for state coverage. Oftentimes it may be more economical if you get a policy that covers your entire family. It is certainly better than having each of your children covered by individual policies. However, you can go for an individual policy if you only have one child.

Health Insurance for Students

Most universities have a health care clinic where students can go for minor ailments. However, you cannot, and shouldn't, rely solely on university and school owned clinics to take care of your child's health and well-being. You need to get a health insurance plan for your child that will cover any emergencies and surgeries.

As a student, your child has several options for health insurance coverage. The best option is to have your child covered by your policy. Most family group heath insurance plans will provide coverage for your child as long as he or she is attending school and is actively enrolled. Ask your insurance agent if any changes need to be made on your policy with regards to your child's health insurance coverage, and if this is possible at all.

If you need an individual student health insurance policy for your child, there are many choices available to you. However, be careful in choosing the policy. Conduct some due diligence on your part by researching, gathering information and comparing policies. Exactly what kind of coverage do you need? What's the maximum amount of coverage do you need? What about the deductibles? Don't hesitate to ask questions whenever you have some doubts or you don't understand something. Get to know what an insurance health company will cover and what it won't cover for your child. If you are sending your child to school in another country, ask if you need to pay extra for the period your child is overseas. Investigate and carefully choose a policy to ensure that your child's college life won't be riddled with problems when it comes to their health insurance.

For more information on health insurance for children and students try visiting http://www.easyhealthinsuranceguide.com, a website that specializes in providing health insurance related tips, advice and resources to include information on the health insurance claims process.


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