Children’s Health Insurance Programs for Native Americans

Native Americans who have children and have difficulty affording health insurance will find that there are numerous programs they can turn to. Many people who find it difficult to afford health insurance try to at least keep their children insured, so that they can easily receive the medical care they need, when they need it. Keeping health insurance on the children will help ensure they can visit the doctor, get prescription medications, and receive dental care.

Children’s health insurance programs for Native Americans are available at the federal and state level. Most Native Americans who have a low income should be able to qualify for a program that will help provide their children with health insurance. Here are some options that Native Americans can explore to obtain health insurance for their children:

• The federal program called Medicaid is available to everyone who has a low income and is a citizen or legal alien. The program provides those who qualify with health insurance, which helps to pay for such things as prescription medications, doctor visits, hospital stays, and dental care. To apply for Medicaid, you have to contact your state’s office where it is administered. Use the Medicaid map to find the place in your state where you apply.
• Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP). The federal program called Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) is available to Native American’s. The program is for those who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, yet still have a difficult time affording health insurance for their children. The program allows people to pay a health insurance premium based on their income. The most a family would need to pay for the health insurance is five percent of their income per year. The health insurance provides children with the coverage needed to obtain check-ups, immunizations, doctor visits, prescriptions, dental and vision care, hospital care, and emergency services. You can apply for CHIP online.
• Tribal Offices. Many Native Americans may be able to obtain health insurance or health insurance information for their children by contacting their local Tribal Office. Each local Tribal Office should have information regarding applying for Medicaid, as well as other state and local healthcare programs that are open to them. Find your local Tribal Office or organization and contact them for additional information trading health insurance programs for Native American children.
• State programs. Many states in the country offer state-funded healthcare programs for children. These programs are designed to ensure that children have health insurance, even if their parents do not. Many people who apply for them are eligible to receive free healthcare for their children, while others may be offered affordable rates that are based off of their income. When applying, your income is reviewed and that is used to determine if you get free health insurance for the children, or if you have to pay something each month for it. Check with your state health department to see if a state-run children’s health insurance program is available. Examples of some of the state-run children’s health insurance programs include Florida Kid Care, Peach Care for Kids, New York’s Child Health Plus, and Texas Children’s Health Plan.
• Local health departments. While local health departments don’t provide health insurance, they do provide assistance with obtaining certain types of healthcare. Local health departments typically provide low income people with free services, such as dental care, well checks, immunizations, and more. Contact your local health department to see what type of free healthcare services they offer and if you qualify to receive them. Most local health departments offer these free healthcare services to anyone in the community, regardless of their income level.

The goal is to help Native American families keep health insurance on their children. This will help them keep the children healthier, and make it more affordable for the families to get by. By exploring the different children’s health insurance programs for Native Americans, you can find a variety of options you may qualify for to help get the healthcare your children need. Having health insurance for your children is essential in helping to keep them healthy and well cared for. These programs listed above will help make it easier to provide them with health insurance.