Children's Health Insurance

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am starting a new job and I have to wait 90 days for health insurance coverage. The hospital pays for the employee's coverage 100%, but for my child, I was informed that I have to pay and it is pricey and that I might do better at finding a private health insurance plan. I need help in finding a private health plan. I would especially like to find health insurance for my child and not wait 90 days. Any help would be appreciated. Also, I need to find dental insurance for him as well.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

any insurance coverage is expensive. Family plans through an employer are usually the cheapest you can find....good luck :)

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Google "individual health insurance plans in (your state)."

Or contact your state insurance commission for a list of companies that write individual policies in your state.

I was able to find a website that compared and contrasted all individual policies available in my state. I used that to select the policy that interested me, then applied for coverage thru an agent.

The application and review process is not quick. It will probably take at least 90 days, and may or may not prove cheaper than adding him to your policy. If he has any significant health conditions, adding him to your policy will be less expensive than a policy of his own.

Also, many states offer individual health insurance policies, but we found ours to be more expensive than private coverage.

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I purchased Blue Cross Blue Shield for myself and my kids, and the kids are about $70 ea/mo, which includes a free well exam and $30 copays on sick visits.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Check out your state's Children's Health Insurance Program. (SCHIP) The income guidelines really aren't too bad (more you make the higher premium (my state the max premium is $80/mo or so) and if you are lower income the premium may be $0), and if the child is 12 or younger dental is included. There may not be a waiting period.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

I purchased Anthem Blue Cross insurance for my son about three years ago and at the time it only cost me $50/month, for good coverage. I think I had dental too for a little bit extra, but I don't remember any more (was able to get him onto my employee health plan for free once I got my first nursing job).

Health insurance for kids can be a lot cheaper than for adults, as long as the child has no pre-existing health conditions, because most kids are healthy and don't need much besides well child visits.

I would just go to the major health insurance companies and get quotes -- it's definitely worth at least comparing to what it would cost you to add your child to your employee plan -- there's a good chance private insurance will be less (not so much for adults, but for kids this can be the case).

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