Children in the state of New York need not get the medical attention they need. Under the Child Health Plus program, children ages 19 or younger can get state-sponsored healthcare if their parents cannot afford private or employer-based health insurance. The plan is primarily for low-income families with one or more children. Prior to the Child Health Plus program, children of low-income families received little or no professional medical treatment for injuries and illnesses. Families simply could not afford the high cost of health insurance in New York. Instead, many parents tried to treat their children with home remedies and over-the-counter medicines.

Due to the new program, the New York health care system has dramatically improved for children. Families at or below poverty level can afford to take their children to the hospital. Children can receive physical exams, disease and injury treatment, x-rays, and laboratory tests for physicians at no cost or a very low cost. Depending on the family’s income level, they pay either a $15 monthly premium or no premium at all. Moreover, there is never a co-payment. However, families that earn more than two and a half times the poverty level are required to pay the full monthly premium charged by the healthcare insurance provider. Dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits are included in the Child Health Plus program.

There are two healthcare plans under the Child Health Plus program. Plan A is a managed care program. Plan B participants get a list of doctors and hospitals they can visit. For more information about Child Health Plus call 800.698.4KIDS or visit http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/chplus/application.htm.