In Michigan, low-income families can receive assistance with health insurance for themselves and their children if they do not have outside insurance. Depending on the family's income level, parents may have to pay a small co-pay or an enrollment fee. Children in Michigan who are in these programs are entitled to basic and specialized health care services, as well as some dental services. These insurances do not cover charges incurred before enrollment.
MIChild
MIChild is a discount health insurance program for low-income children under the age of 19. Parents pay a flat fee of $10 per month regardless of how many qualifying children they have or what special needs those children may have.
MIChild entitles children to basic health care and to hospital stays of up to 120 days. Children who have pre-existing conditions are eligible for this program. To qualify, the family's gross income must be between 150 and 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
Healthy Kids
Healthy Kids is a Medicaid-based program in which low-income pregnant mothers and their children get free health care. This program is free of charge to the family, except for small co-pays for people over the age of 21. Unemployed parents may qualify for this program. If a family qualifies for both Healthy Kids and MIChild, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will enroll the family in Healthy Kids.
Eligibility and Limitations
All children must live in the state of Michigan and have Social Security numbers to enroll in MIChild or Healthy Kids. In addition, parents must be able to prove that their income that does not exceed the income limits for the program they are applying for.
Families must not be on any other health insurance plan at the time of application. If a family had the opportunity to enroll in an employer-sponsored plan and did not do so, the family must wait six months after the employee enrollment period ends to apply for MIChild or Healthy Kids.
Apply
Download an application from the Department of Health and Human Services' website, fill out and e-mail an application online or request one by phone. You can also call DHHS to find out which MIChild health plans are available in your area, as you must write in your choice of plan at the top of the application.
Fill out the application completely. Provide information about each adult member of the household's income, as well as information about each child living in the house. Sign and date the application and attach any supporting documents such as doctor's notes regarding pregnancy or proof of applying for children's Social Security numbers.
Mail the application back to MIChild. You should get a response in the mail within 10 days of receipt. If you submit your application online, you will receive a notification immediately as to whether your family appears to be eligible.
Changes Due to the Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act of 2010 makes several changes to health care for children in Michigan. The MIChild and Healthy Kids programs are not affected; however, private insurers cannot deny your child coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Starting in 2014, your family will qualify for Medicaid-based health care such as Healthy Kids if your income is 133 percent or less of the federal poverty guidelines.
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