Children Losing CHIP Insurance
Q: I have 3 kids that are insured under Montana CHIP. I just received notice that they will be losing their coverage on February 1st because I no longer meet the income guidelines. Two of my children are very healthy, but my youngest child is currently being treated for pyloric stenosis and will probably need surgery. Will I be able to get health insurance for my youngest child, or will all of the insurance companies reject her?
A: We are not familiar enough with this illness to know how the individual health insurance carriers in Montana will review it. If it is an illness that does not have widespread side-affects, they may offer you coverage with an elimination rider. This means that they may accept your youngest child, but exclude the treatment of pyloric stenosis from your covered benefits. The only way to know for sure is to apply with a couple of different insurance carriers in Montana. If you find out that she is uninsurable, you can obtain guaranteed issue coverage under the Montana Comprehensive Health Association. If your employer offers health insurance, you can also add your youngest child to your coverage. You do not need to add all of your children to your group plan.
I do have health insurance through my employer, but I can’t add my kids until June next year. What is the Montana Comprehensive Health Association?
Comment by Susan — December 12, 2006 @ 8:18 am
If your children are losing their coverage under Montana CHIP, you may be able to add them to your group plan prior to open enrollment. Check with your insurance company or employer on this, but make sure to let them know that the kids are currently insured under CHIP but are losing that coverage. The Montana Comprehensive Health Association is the Montana high-risk health pool that provides health insurance coverage to residents of the state that are uninsurable. There is a link to more information about that program in our response above. You must be declined coverage from 2 different insurance companies, so you want to obtain applications and apply ASAP.
Comment by admin — December 12, 2006 @ 8:19 am
I already called my employer about adding the kids to my coverage. That is when they told me that open-enrollment is June and I can’t add them until then. What insurance companies in Montana offer health insurance for just children?
Comment by Susan — December 12, 2006 @ 8:21 am
Did you tell your employer that your children are currentlyy insured, but they are losing their coverage February 1st, due to no fault of your own? This is important for them to understand. Also call the insurance carrier that provides the coverage and speak with them about it. Unless your employer pays all of your dependent’s premium, you may find it less costly to get them separate individual health plans. Contact Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, Celtic Insurance Company and United HealthCare. They all offer individual health insurance in Montana. You can also contact a broker in your area that represents several different carriers and can help you look at your best options.
Comment by admin — December 12, 2006 @ 8:25 am