I have done every search that I can think of, but I cannot find where to sign up for the new sCHIP kids healthcare insurance program. Anyone have any leads? Thanks I need to see, first, if we even qualify.
I have no idea about the sChip, but my kids are on TX CHIP. Here is a link to their site. The income level is higher than I expected. You do have to apply for Medicaid first and be turned down. At that point, the application is fowarded on to CHIP (I think?). We have co-pays and limits, but it's certainly better than nothing at all! Now....if I could find a way to be covered, too!
sCHIP is this.... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090205/ap_on_go_pr_wh/children_s_health Ending a two-year effort by Democrats, Obama signed legislation Wednesday that will allow about 7 million children to continue coverage through SCHIP and allow an additional 4 million to sign up. Here is the google search for the news on it... http://news.google.com/news?q=schip...ent=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wn It is supposed to RAISE the minimum income requirements for chip programs nationwide, allowing more middle income families to take advantage of the chips program for their kids. Anyway, No news organization has reported WHEN it goes into effect. Nor, what those increases are... so we have no way of knowing if we qualify or when and how to sign up...... It is driving my crazy~
Each state has their own program. In NY it falls under Child Health Plus. Check with your state's health dept.
Wow, your state is just now getting that program? Our state has had that program for about 10 years now. We used it for about a year and dh got a tiny raise that allowed us to afford health ins. with a high deductible. It would have been cheaper for us to keep our boys on that program but we felt He was providing us a way to get ins. on our own. Those programs are so important for kids and the working poor (that is what our Governor called us) so their kids can have medical, dental and vision needs met. It is amazing how high the income level is in order to qualify.
Thanks guys... Actually, Texas has always had it, it is just that Obama just yesterday signed into law an EXPANSION of the program, that raises the minimum income requirements... I cannot find info on THAT part of the program. What are the NEW requirements? Would we qualify, etc? Still digging.. Might take some time before the websites reflect the new information. I just find it obsurd that not one news agency or reporter has even MENTIONED what those new requirements will be.... ugh! Does no one actually REPORT any news anymore or do they all just repeat what is given to them? Ugh! (Said as a former reporter who finds current news outlets to be mocking birds and not actual journalists...)
we just had to re fill out our state insurance forms. we were able to do it right on line!! i think we have to send in my husbands last 30 days worth of pay stubbs when they ask for them. we are hoping to have to pay less of a premium because now he is not earning over time and last time we had our review he had at least 10 hours over time.
http://www.chipmedicaid.org/english/qualify.asp This is where you put in household # and income to see if you are eligible.
Also keep in mind that they consider other money you pay for health related things such as rx's and other ins. premiums. So even if your income is too high, after considering those monthly expenses, you may still be eligible.
Katie, Thanks But you keep sending me to links I already know about, and all that info is relatively "old" now that Obama has lifted the maximums on income. THAT is what I am trying to find out.. What the NEW requirements will be. Also, this is a FEDERAL change, so it would affect ALL state, at least that is what we are left to beleive, but again, no news agency will spit out the information and I cannot get any info on WHAT exactly the changes are that he signed into law. Again, he just signed it into law two days ago, so it will take some time to be reflected on the web site, I s'pose. Oh well.
Jen, I talk to a lady about this the other day, she said yes the he signed something but could take a while before all the office get it and know how its going to work, she said weeks, months or years. it depends on how fast they work. So, all I can say is call chips and ask them.
Dh printed out a form the other day and I filled it out. Now all I have to do it attach the other necessary documents and send them off. I can't even believe we qualify! Right now we are spending $160 per month on the girls to have really crappy coverage.
Tiffany, I think your girls have to be eithout insurance for 3 months before you can qualify for CHIPS (unless they have been on another state/gov. funded program). Check into that. And be aware that CHIPS is not always easy! My dd10 was referred to a dermatologist in Aug. We've spent the last 5 months trying to find one that would work with CHIP. We finally found one (in a city of 1.3 million), and the office NEVER answers the phone. DH spent about 4 hrs. out of the last 2 days waiting for an answer, but never got one. If we do get an answer, it'll probably be a 6 month wait for an appointment. I am thankful that my kids have insurance, but I really wish we could afford our own private insurance!
That is a real issue, trying to find providers. We were on it for about a year CHP+ and it was hard finding anyone who was a quality provider.
