MEDICAID & THE CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (CHIP)  

• If you are eligible for health coverage from your employer, but are unable to afford the premiums, some States have premium assistance programs that can help pay for coverage.  These States use funds from their Medicaid or CHIP programs to help people who are eligible for employer-sponsored health coverage, but need assistance in paying their health premiums. 

• If you or your dependents are already enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and you live in a state offering assistance (Florida), you can contact the Children's Health Insurance Plan or your State Medicaid office to find out if premium assistance is available. 

• If you or your dependents are NOT currently enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and you think you or any of your dependents might be eligible for either of these programs, you can contact any of the groups listed here to find out how to apply.  If you qualify, you can ask the State if it has a program that might help you pay the premiums for an employer-sponsored plan:
  
• Contact the State Medicaid Office
• Contact the Children's Health Insurance Plan
• Contact INSURE KIDS NOW by calling 1-877-Kids-Now (1-877-543-7669)

• Once it is determined that you or your dependents are eligible for premium assistance under Medicaid or CHIP, your employer’s health plan is required to permit you and your dependents to enroll in the plan – as long as you and your dependents are eligible, but not already enrolled in the employer’s plan.  This is called a “special enrollment” and you must request coverage within 60 days of being determined eligible for premium assistance. 
• As a Florida resident, you may be eligible for assistance paying your employer health plan premiums. 

A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that less than 20% of children between the ages of 4 and 9 years old were properly restrained in a booster seat when riding in a vehicle.

I'm sure most of you are aware that infants need to be in the backseat in a rear-facing car seat until they are approximately 1 year old, then they can be buckled in to a forward-facing car seat (still in the back seat) until they outgrow it, usually at around 40 pounds or 4 years old. After this, they still need a booster seat until they are 4'9" tall (usually around 9 years old). All the requirements and recommendations can be found here.

And remember, the back seat is the safest place for kids up to 13 years old!

Do you have children but no health insurance for them? Perhaps you are unemployed, self-employed, or you just can't afford to add children to your employer's insurance plan.

Florida KidCare may be the answer for you! Florida KidCare provides health insurance coverage for uninsured children under 19 years of age. Eligibility is based on your child's age and your household income. Enrollment is open year-round.