Can’t Afford Health Insurance for Your Child? Options

If health insurance for your child feels out of reach, apply for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) first: eligible children can receive low-cost or no-cost coverage, and you can apply at any time of year. Eligibility and costs vary by state and household, so use your state’s Medicaid or CHIP agency or HealthCare.gov to find out what your child may qualify for. You can apply for your child even if you do not have coverage yourself.

If your child does not qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, compare Marketplace plans and see whether your household qualifies for a premium tax credit. If you have coverage through work, compare the cost of adding your child with Marketplace options: look at deductibles, copays, covered prescriptions, and whether your child’s doctors are in-network, not just the monthly premium. The least expensive plan each month may cost more when your child needs care.

A baby’s birth or a loss of health coverage may open a special enrollment period, but deadlines differ between employer plans and the Marketplace, so contact the plan or enrollment service promptly. Gather your child’s birth information, household income details, and any notice showing when prior coverage ended. If a document is delayed, ask what you can submit now to get the application started.

If your child needs care before coverage begins, ask a community health center or your child’s provider about sliding-scale fees, payment plans, and help applying for Medicaid or CHIP. Do not put off urgent medical care because your child is uninsured; tell the care team about your coverage situation and ask to speak with a financial counselor when you can.

For a newborn, our Baby Health Insurance Made Simple digital guide is a resource for navigating the enrollment process, and you can start with our newborn health insurance enrollment checklist. Our team encourages you to confirm deadlines and eligibility with the program or insurer handling your application, since the right next step depends on your family’s circumstances.