Affordable Health Insurance For Kids

Families who do not have health insurance provided by their employer may find private health insurance rates unaffordable--which results in their children being uninsured. The federal government addresses the problem of uninsured children through two programs: Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. These programs are offered in partnership with each state, so coverage and eligibility requirements vary among the states. On average, a family of four with an income below $44,100 per year is eligible to obtain health insurance coverage for children under 18 through one of these programs.

Medicaid

Low-income families can find affordable health insurance for their children through Medicaid. Although the federal government provides funds and sets guidelines, the Medicaid program is administered through the states. State eligibility criteria vary, but in general, all families under the federal poverty level as established each year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will qualify. In addition to income factors, a child may be eligible for Medicaid if he is disabled. Any family whose children are uninsured and in need of medical services should apply for Medicaid to find out if they are eligible for coverage.

Children's Health Insurance Program

Families whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid coverage for their children may find affordable health insurance through the Children's Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP. The program was created in 1997 and expanded in February 2009 with more funding to increase the number of eligible children. As with Medicaid, the federal government provides funding and guidelines for the program, which is administered by each state. Although the states determine certain aspects of their own CHIP program, such as eligibility requirements and extent of coverage, federal guidelines require all states to provide coverage for some basic services, such as immunizations and dental care.

State CHIP Providers

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides information for each state's CHIP provider through its website, Insure Kids Now. The site includes a search tool for locating the provider in every state. Most states have a unique name from their CHIP program, such as Healthy Families in California and Child Health Plus in New York.

Arizona CHIP

The only state to attempt to opt out of CHIP is Arizona. In January 2010, that state passed a budget that eliminated the Arizona CHIP, called KidsCare. This action would have resulted in the estimated loss of $7 billion in matching federal Medicaid funds, which caused the state legislature to restore the program in June 2010; however, the program is currently frozen to new applicants. During the time when this program is frozen, the only available government health care coverage for children of low-income families in Arizona is through Arizona's Medicaid agency, called Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System.

Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act

When it was originally enacted, the CHIP legislation stated that the program would terminate in 10 years unless renewed. In 2009, the program was reauthorized to continue until 2013 by the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, also known as CHIPRA. In addition to preserving coverage for those children already relying on CHIP, additional resources have been allocated to the states to expand CHIP's coverage. Not only will more uninsured children be covered, but the CHIP program now gives the states the option to cover children of recent immigrants and to cover women during pregnancy and shortly after giving birth.