Children's Health Insurance

Childrens health insurance is usually added as dependent coverage to an adult's policy that has been purchased by the individual or is through an employer's group plan. Children's health insurance covers all medical needs a child may encounter throughout their life until the age of 18 or until the age of 22 if the child lives at home or is enrolled in an institution of higher education (college). At that time the child is dropped from the parent's plan, voiding the coverage, and must seek out their own adult health coverage either through their place of employment or by enrolling in a medical insurance program individually.

The costs associated with insuring a child are not high. As an "add on", through a place of employment, the children's health insurance will only cost the enrollee about $20-$45 per month. Considering the bulk of premium costs are paid by the employer, adding on this coverage is wise while the enrollee maintains employment. Most plans include yearly physicals and all the necessary doctors' appointments for immunizations. Once all immunizations are complete, the childrens health insurance coverage will only cover yearly physicals.

If the child is planning on participating in sports, they will need an additional physical form signed by a physician. It is recommended that parents schedule the child's yearly physicals and sports participation physicals simultaneously to save money. Otherwise, there are local clinics that specialize in walk-in sports physicals for student athletes, and charge minimal fees (typically $25-$75). Children's health insurance enrollment is the responsibility of the parent or guardian. Dependents are not automatically included on medical enrollment forms. This coverage must be added on separately.

It is important for a Christian to insure their child if the parent intends to take seriously God's advice on planning and preparing for the future. While some Christians feel that the purchase of childrens health insurance may be a sign of lack of trust in God's ability to support them in their times of medical need, it is wise to be prepared financially should a medical disaster happen. The early Egyptians heeded God's warning to prepare for famine by saving their fruitful abundance. Christians should do the same by enrollment in a childrens health insurance program. "And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine." (Genesis 41:35-36)

For more information: http://www.christianet.com/healthinsurance