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Children's Health Line Frequently Asked Questions |
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Can
I apply for your health insurance?
The Children's
Health Line is not an insurance company. Our hotline provides eligibility
information about free or low-cost health insurance programs for children
and free health insurance for pregnant women.
There are several options. You may contact the Children's Health Line and complete the application with the assistance of a telephone advocate; you may request an application from some medical facilities; or you may obtain the insurance application packet directly from the programs themselves. Call the Children's Health Line for details-1-215-985-3301.
One standardized application is used to determine your eligibility for all programs. The criteria used to determine your eligibility are: family size, family income, and the age of your child. In some instances, two children from the same family may be covered by two different programs.
Unfortunately, they do not. These programs are only for children.
There are two options:
The first is called Medical Assistance. This is a free, public health insurance program paid for by federal and state funding. This program is run by the Department of Public Welfare.
The other program is the Children's Health Insurance Program of Pennsylvania (CHIP). This is a state-funded insurance program which provides free and low-cost insurance, depending upon eligibility. This insurance is provided by Aetna US Healthcare, Caring Foundation Blue Cross Blue Shield, and AmeriChoice Kids Choice.
The Medical Assistance program is available for children under 21 years of age. The CHIP program is available for children under 19 years of age.
Within 30 days you should receive a letter of notification of eligibility.
You will need to provide documentation of household income within the past 30 days and proof of citizenship (if the child is not a US Citizen).
The only other option available is private insurance.
There are places in the Philadelphia area where parents can take their children for low or no cost at all. The Children's Health Line (1-215-985-3301) will help you find such a place, or you may find such referrals in the resource guide we have available on this website.
