Events like the birth or adoption of a child, change in a child's custody arrangements, or marriage or remarriage of the custodial parent, can create the need to add a child to health insurance. These events may not occur during the limited period of open enrollment that most insurance carriers have. However, most insurance carriers provide a 30 to 60 day enrollment period following a status change. Given the costs of health care, it is best to be prompt when signing your child up for health insurance.
Step 1
Obtain the child's social security number. Some insurance companies may not need this immediately, but you will need it quickly. The child's parents receive a copy of the social security number shortly after the child is born. The insurance company will only need the child's social security number, not the card.
Step 2
Call the insurance company before the child's birth or before he becomes eligible for the insurance to ascertain and clarify the specific procedures your insurance company requires. As noted at Democratic Policy Committee, as of March 21, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires that insurance plans provide coverage to children through the age of 26, whether the children are in college or not, per the parent's choice.
Step 3
Inquire about any documentation your insurer may require. For example, if you have an uninsured older child who is changing status, you may need to provide information or documentation regarding the status change. Your insurance customer service agent will either mail the forms you will need to complete, or more likely, will give you a website address where you can print the appropriate forms.
Step 4
Get the details of the plan from your agent so you understand how it works. You should inquire about how to find care providers that will be covered by the plan. Find out about any deductibles and co-payments you will have to make, and determine how much additional premium you will have to pay to add your child to the plan. Note that the 2010 health care act immediately bans insurers from excluding coverage of pre-existing conditions in children.
Step 5
Complete the forms immediately. Do not risk missing the special enrollment period. If you do, you may have to wait until the next open enrollment period that may only occur once a year.
Step 6
Call the insurance company and verify that they have received the paper work, that the forms have been completed properly, and that your child has been added to the insurance plan.
Things You'll Need
- Insurance Plan Phone Number
- Social Security Number for Child
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