For the first time in history, every child in California is now eligible for health coverage.  New insurance protections may make it easier for parents with uninsured children with pre-existing conditions get affordable coverage.  But parents need to act right away – by March 1st – to lock in lower premiums.

Visit this page to find out more information: http://action.momsrising.org/signup/CAHealthInsurance

Who does this affect?

If your child has a pre-existing health condition, such as asthma, diabetes, or other chronic conditions, whether or not she or he has been denied insurance coverage in the past, they can enroll in private coverage now and be assured a lower rate if you act by March 1.

If your child is not covered through your employer (or if this coverage is too expensive) and you buy insurance for them on your own, then you may be eligible for lower rates for premiums during the open enrollment period.

Visit www.finder.healthcare.gov to investigate your coverage options.

What is the deadline?  What happens after the deadline?

Parents must apply for coverage for their children during the “open enrollment period” that ends on March 1st to lock in lower rates.  As part of the California law, insurers can – and are expected to – charge more for this same coverage outside of this open enrollment period.

Parents who miss this March 1st deadline will be able to enroll their children and get lower rates for premiums again once a year (at the child’s birthday) or after any major life changes (for example, divorce, etc.).  During the rest of the year, insurance plans will be required to offer health coverage for your child but the rates for premiums they can charge may be much higher.

I don’t have employer coverage for my children so I buy insurance policies for them.  Neither of them have pre-existing conditions but the coverage is still very expensive.  Will this save me money?

Parents who already buy health insurance for their children on their own (that is, they are not eligible for dependent coverage through their employer) may be able to get coverage at lower ratesthan they do now.  To investigate coverage options, go to www.finder.healthcare.gov, or re-apply for coverage to see if it’s more affordable.

What kind of coverage will this get me?

The open enrollment period applies to all types of private insurance offered in the individual market.  You will be able to select a plan from various companies offering a number of plans with differing benefit packages, premiums, and co-payment requirements.

My child has been denied coverage before.  What will make this time different?

The federal health reform law (the Affordable Care Act) has made it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage to any children for any reason, including if they have a pre-existing condition.  This element of the federal law went into effect on September 23, 2010.  The open enrollment period in California started on January 1st and extends through March 1, 2011.

So, private insurance companies can no longe deny your child health coverage, however, they can charge more for coverage.  During the “open enrollment” period ending March 1st, insurers may charge a child with a pre-existing health condition up to twice as much for coverage compared to children without pre-existing conditions.  Outside of the open enrollment period there are no limits to what they can charge for children  (except during the birthday month and after major life changes, such as divorce).

How does this affect people who already have insurance?

Parents whose children have coverage through their employer plan do not have to do anything and eligible for reduced rates on their employer-based coverage during this period.

What if the coverage available to me is still too expensive?

About two out of three uninsured kids in California are eligible for low or no-cost comprehensive coverage through the state's Healthy Families and Medi-Cal programs. Parents can– and should apply for these programs right away -- here is no deadline for enrollment.  Parents can call 1-877-KIDS-NOW to see if they are eligible or go to www.insurekidsnow.gov to learn more.

Are undocumented children covered?

Children do not need to provide documentation to buy private health insurance.

Undocumented children are not eligible for the state’s Healthy Families or Medi-Cal programs, however, thousands receive health coverage through local Children’s Health Initiatives, like the Healthy Kids program. Parents should go to cchi4kids.org/local_cchi.cfm to find out if there’s a Children’s Health Initaitive in their county, or call 211 or your county health department for more information.

This sounds important.  How can I spread the word?

We need to spread the word to California parents right away.  MomsRising has developed tools to make it easy for you to share with the parents you know via email, Facebook, and Twitter.  Check it out at http://action.momsrising.org/signup/CAHealthInsurance