Children's Health Insurance Program (California)
More State Children's Health Insurance Programs
California Healthy Families
Eligibility Requirements
Healthy Families is a low cost health insurance program for children living in California under the age of 19. They must have been without employer-sponsored health insurance for the last three months. They cannot be eligible or enrolled in Medi-Cal and they must meet citizenship or immigration guidelines. Healthy Families is also available to children born to mothers enrolled in the AIM Program, which provides health insurance coverage to pregnant women. The family income must be within the Healthy Families Guidelines. Minors without parents and their children can qualify on their own. Legal guardians, foster parents or step-parents are exempt from income guidelines.
Waiting Periods
You can join Healthy Families at anytime, but must wait three months after coverage ends from an employer-sponsored plan.
Covered Services and Benefits
California Healthy Families covers the following medically necessary services:
- Physician Services - Office, home visits, Allergy testing and treatment
- Preventative Care - Health exams, and more
- Maternity care
- Hospital services - Inpatient/Outpatient
- Prescription Drugs – 30 day supply, 90 day maintenance drugs
- Lab and X-ray services
- Durable Medical Equipment
- Mental Health
- Dental & Vision Care
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Physical, Occupational, Speech Therapy
- Emergency and Non-emergency medical transportation
- And more
Health Plan Options
There are several plans to choose from for the county in which you reside. Plan options will vary geographically throughout California and will have different benefit levels. Several community health plan companies offer the Healthy Families program.
Premium Payments, Co-Payments and Coinsurance
Healthy Family premiums vary depending on the health plan you select and the insurance company you have selected to manage your health care. Premiums range from $4 to $15 a month per child, up to a maximum of $45 for a family with three or more children. There is a $5 co-payment required for most covered services and preventive health care is free.
Program Length, Enrollment and Renewal
You will be asked to complete a renewal form every 12 months to determine if qualification guidelines are still being met and your premiums could be adjusted if necessary. A renewal form will be mailed to you 60 days prior to the 12 month renewal time. You can change plans during open enrollment, which is from April 15th to May 31st.
California Healthy Families Contact Information
P.O. Box 138005
Sacramento, CA 95813-8005
800-880-5305
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