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. 

Child Health Insurance You Can Afford

• MEDIKIDS: children ages 1 through 4.
• HEALTHY KIDS: children ages 5 through 18.
• CHILDREN’S MEDICAL SERVICES NETWORK: children birth through 18 who have special health care needs.
• MEDICAID: children birth through 18. A child who has other health insurance may still qualify for Medicaid.

• Doctor visits
• Check-ups and shots
• Hospital
• Surgery
• Prescriptions
• Emergencies
• Vision and hearing
• Dental
• Mental health 

• Apply online   or 

• Print an Application and Instructions

Obtaining health care coverage is a concern of many Americans, especially for those who recently lost their job resulting in loss of health insurance. While there is no perfect solution, there are some health care programs out there that may help you.

COBRA Coverage:
If your employer continues to operate and offer a group plan, COBRA continuation coverage may be available. It may cost you more than when you were employed, but still likely to be cheaper than private insurance. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 certain individuals will be eligible for COBRA cover at a discounted rate. Click here to learn more.

Government Health Care Programs:
Medicaid or Medicare or call 1-800-MEDICARE; Florida State Children's Health Insurance Program and Cover Florida (an affordable health coverage available to uninsured Floridians through a comprehensive market-based strategy).

Public Health Departments:
While Public Health Departments do not replace primary care providers, they do provide some health services for free such as immunizations, smoking cessations programs and more. Click here to learn more about services provided at your local health department.


To help Pasco County residents explore health care options and services, the Pasco County Library System will be holding workshops at the library branches.

Check out the library's Calendar of Events or just show up at one of the workshops listed here:

Tuesday June 2, 2009- 6pm
Centennial Park Library
727.834.3204

Thursday June 11, 2009- 1pm
Hugh Embry Library
352.567.3576

Wednesday June 23, 2009- 2pm
New River Library
813.788.6375

Saturday July 18, 2009- 2pm
Regency Park Library
727.861.3049

Tuesday July 21, 2009- 6pm
Land O Lakes Library
813.929.1214

Wednesday July 29, 2009- 2pm
Hudson Library
727.861.3040

Wednesday August 12, 2009- 6pm
South Holiday Library
727.834.3331

Hope to see you there!

Obtaining health care coverage is a concern of many Americans, especially for those who recently lost their job resulting in loss of health insurance as well. There are some programs out there that may help you.

COBRA Coverage:
If your employer continues to operate and offer a group plan, COBRA continuation coverage may be available. It may cost you more than when you were employed, but still likely to be cheaper than private insurance. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 certain individuals will be eligible for COBRA cover at a discounted rate. Click here to learn more.

Government Health Care Programs:
Medicaid or Medicare or call 1-800-MEDICARE; Florida State Children's Health Insurance Program and Cover Florida (an affordable health coverage available to uninsured Floridians through a comprehensive market-based strategy).

Public Health Departments:
While Public Health Departments do not replace primary care providers, they do provide some health services for free such as immunizations, smoking cessations programs and more. Click here to learn more about services provided at your local health department.


To help Pasco County residents explore health care options and services, the Pasco County Library System will be holding workshops at the library branches. Watch for more information in the library's Calendar of Events or call (727) 861-3040.

While none of these options are ideal, it least there is some assistance out there.

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.