March 19, 2023
2 minute read

Low cost health insurance for children

Your child’s health is your top priority, so having access to low-cost health insurance for children is important to ensure they stay strong, happy, and healthy.

But what kind of insurance do your children need? And how do you get it? HealthMarkets explains options for low-cost health insurance for children.

Eligibility requirements for low-cost health insurance for children

One of the more prominent options for low-cost health insurance for children is the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP. Each state runs its own program alongside its Medicaid program. Rules and benefits vary from state to state, but eligibility requirements are similar.

As long as your child is younger than 19 years old and a U.S. citizen, their eligibility requirements are generally based on family income relative to the family’s size. In most states, an annual family income of up to $50,000 (for a family of four) will qualify a child for CHIP.

The following items are considered for income:

  • Wages
  • Self-employment funds
  • Unemployment
  • Veterans Administration benefits
  • Social Security benefits
  • Child support
  • Alimony

Do children get free health insurance with CHIP?

Some children can receive no-cost health insurance through the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP. The cost depends on your family’s annual income and size, as well as the requirements for the state you live in. Some of the services provided include regular check-ups, immunizations, doctor and dentist visits, hospital care, mental health services, and prescriptions. To apply for the CHIP program, visit healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/childrens-health-insurance-program or call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).

Other low-cost children’s health insurance options

If your family makes too much to qualify for Medicaid and/or CHIP, you still have options for low-cost children’s health insurance, including policies through the Affordable Care Act.

  • Affordable Care Act PlansMore than 86% of people who enroll in plans under the Affordable Care Act (or Obamacare) qualify for tax subsidies that help lower their premiums. The average premium for a subsidized ACA plan in 2019 was $143 per month. With hundreds of plans to choose from, HealthMarkets FitScore™ can help you find the right plan for your family in minutes.

Get the right health coverage for your child

HealthMarkets can help find the right health insurance plan for your child. We can help you quickly find an individual plan and compare quotes online. If an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan isn’t for you, we can help you find coverage from available options—even if it’s a plan we don’t offer. Call us any time at (800) 360-1402.

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© 2023 HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. All rights reserved.

* Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, and Part D options can be explored.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.

To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week). If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the person when filing your grievance.

Attention: This website is operated by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace® website. HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency in all 50 states and DC. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. Service and product availability varies by state. Sales agents may be compensated based on a consumer’s enrollment in an insurance plan. No obligation to enroll. Agent cannot provide tax or legal advice. Contact your tax or legal professional to discuss details regarding your individual business circumstances. Our quoting tool is provided for your information only. All quotes are estimates and are not final until consumer is enrolled. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency offers the opportunity to enroll in either QHPs or off-Marketplace coverage. Please visit HealthCare.gov for information on the benefits of enrolling in a QHP. Off-Marketplace coverage is not eligible for the cost savings offered for coverage through the Marketplaces.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call the Plan’s customer service phone number for more information.

46866-HM-1220

© 2023 HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. All rights reserved.

* Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, and Part D options can be explored.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.

To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week). If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the person when filing your grievance.

Attention: This website is operated by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace® website. HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency in all 50 states and DC. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. Service and product availability varies by state. Sales agents may be compensated based on a consumer’s enrollment in an insurance plan. No obligation to enroll. Agent cannot provide tax or legal advice. Contact your tax or legal professional to discuss details regarding your individual business circumstances. Our quoting tool is provided for your information only. All quotes are estimates and are not final until consumer is enrolled. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency offers the opportunity to enroll in either QHPs or off-Marketplace coverage. Please visit HealthCare.gov for information on the benefits of enrolling in a QHP. Off-Marketplace coverage is not eligible for the cost savings offered for coverage through the Marketplaces.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call the Plan’s customer service phone number for more information.

46866-HM-1220

© 2023 HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. All rights reserved.

* Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, and Part D options can be explored.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.

To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week). If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the person when filing your grievance.

Attention: This website is operated by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace® website. HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency in all 50 states and DC. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. Service and product availability varies by state. Sales agents may be compensated based on a consumer’s enrollment in an insurance plan. No obligation to enroll. Agent cannot provide tax or legal advice. Contact your tax or legal professional to discuss details regarding your individual business circumstances. Our quoting tool is provided for your information only. All quotes are estimates and are not final until consumer is enrolled. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency offers the opportunity to enroll in either QHPs or off-Marketplace coverage. Please visit HealthCare.gov for information on the benefits of enrolling in a QHP. Off-Marketplace coverage is not eligible for the cost savings offered for coverage through the Marketplaces.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call the Plan’s customer service phone number for more information.

46866-HM-1220