Parents Urged to Think About Health Insurance as They Think About “Back to School”
[8/22/07]
As the days of summer start to slip into August much to the dismay of children; parents start thinking about “Back to School” needs. And as they do the health experts agree that in addition to new lunch boxes and backpacks, parents need to think about the health insurance needs of their children.
Healthcare professionals say there is no better time to concentrate on health and healthcare issues involving our kids than when they are headed back to school in the fall. This doesn’t mean just making sure all of their immunizations are up to date. Research has shown that healthier children perform better in school. Identifying children without health insurance and making certain they have access to the healthcare coverage they need is as important in preparation for the school year as pens and pencils.
As congress debates the refunding of SCHIP (State Children’s Insurance Plans), low-cost health insurance experts continue to point out that the reason that so many of the estimated 9 million children without health insurance are uninsured, is because they are simply not aware that they qualify under existing programs.
SCHIP provides families with low to moderate incomes the opportunity to obtain low cost healthcare insurance coverage for their children. The program is available nationwide and is co-sponsored by the State and Federal Government. The name of the program varies from State to State, but some type of program is available in every State. Check with your States Department of Insurance, or Department of Children’s and Families for the name of the program in your area and eligibility requirements. In most states children under the age of 18 with a family whose income is at 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level or lower qualify. In Louisiana for example a family of four can earn a monthly income of $3,442 and still qualify for SCHIP coverage. Some states provide some coverage for working poor adults under the programs as well.
Study after study has shown that many of the people that meet the eligibly requirement fail to enroll their children because they are not aware they qualify for the low cost medial insurance. Communities nationwide are holding Back-to-School health outreach programs at fairs, malls and churches. At a recent Children’s Healthcare Expo and Health Fair held in Miami Florida, kids were treated to shows, rides and visits from Jimmy Neutron and Dora the Explorer. Parents were able to take part in seminars and pick up a variety of information about children’s health. Including applications and further information about Florida Kidcare that states SCHIP program
Healthcare professionals say there is no better time to concentrate on health and healthcare issues involving our kids than when they are headed back to school in the fall. This doesn’t mean just making sure all of their immunizations are up to date. Research has shown that healthier children perform better in school. Identifying children without health insurance and making certain they have access to the healthcare coverage they need is as important in preparation for the school year as pens and pencils.
As congress debates the refunding of SCHIP (State Children’s Insurance Plans), low-cost health insurance experts continue to point out that the reason that so many of the estimated 9 million children without health insurance are uninsured, is because they are simply not aware that they qualify under existing programs.
SCHIP provides families with low to moderate incomes the opportunity to obtain low cost healthcare insurance coverage for their children. The program is available nationwide and is co-sponsored by the State and Federal Government. The name of the program varies from State to State, but some type of program is available in every State. Check with your States Department of Insurance, or Department of Children’s and Families for the name of the program in your area and eligibility requirements. In most states children under the age of 18 with a family whose income is at 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level or lower qualify. In Louisiana for example a family of four can earn a monthly income of $3,442 and still qualify for SCHIP coverage. Some states provide some coverage for working poor adults under the programs as well.
Study after study has shown that many of the people that meet the eligibly requirement fail to enroll their children because they are not aware they qualify for the low cost medial insurance. Communities nationwide are holding Back-to-School health outreach programs at fairs, malls and churches. At a recent Children’s Healthcare Expo and Health Fair held in Miami Florida, kids were treated to shows, rides and visits from Jimmy Neutron and Dora the Explorer. Parents were able to take part in seminars and pick up a variety of information about children’s health. Including applications and further information about Florida Kidcare that states SCHIP program
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