Getting Online Quotes for Children’s Health Insurance Can Be Tough
Q: Is it possible for me to get health insurance coverage only for my eleven year old daughter? I can’t find any website that tells me how to do this.
A: Any health insurance company that offers an individual health plan will provide coverage for just a child. In most states, if the child is under the age of 18, the application must be completed by a parent or legal guardian. However, your child would be listed as the primary applicant and you will not need to list your name or health history on the application.
If you are trying to find quotes online, this can be confusing. It is not always clear that the primary applicant area should be used for the child’s information, if you only want quotes for a child. The “child” information is usually listed further down on the quote request form, but you usually can’t submit the request without information listed for the primary applicant. Some websites are referral services, and these do not typically accept a quote request for just a child. This is because this information is distributed to local agents in your area, and they want an adult contact. In addition to that, the premiums for a child only health insurance plan are considerably less expensive than adult. Therefore, many health insurance agents don’t like to quote plans for children only.
Delaware also has a program to insure children in low to moderate income families. It is worth calling them to see if you qualify. The health plan is called the Delaware Healthy Children Program.
That is the problem. She was on the Delaware state program and got cancelled because my she no longers qualifies because I am making more money now. I can put her on my health insurance where I work, but they want $140 a month. I was thinking I could get her own insurance for less. I will use your suggestion, or maybe try the old fashion way and look in the phone book.
Comment by Susan — October 11, 2006 @ 9:29 pm
That is good thinking. Many people just automatically place dependent children on their group health, not realizing that they may be able to get them separate insurance at a lesser premium. And, there are other advantages of an individual health plan. They are permanent issue, unlike group health plans that are tied into your employment.
Comment by Site Advisor — October 11, 2006 @ 9:43 pm