Child Health Plus - Program Summary

What is Child Health Plus?

Even if you don’t qualify for Medicaid, your children may qualify for Child Health Plus.

Child Health Plus is a New York State sponsored health insurance program for children under 19 years of age who do not qualify for Medicaid and do not have other health insurance coverage*.

This health insurance program gives your child coverage for:

• Checkups
• Baby and early childhood shots (vaccines)
• Emergency care
• Hospital stays
• Medicines
• And other health services

With the Child Health Plus program, there are no member “co-payments” (extra payment) when your child sees a doctor or needs medicine. The monthly cost, if any, for Child Health Plus depends on your household income.

Don’t lose your Child Health Plus health insurance! Make sure you know what you need to do to stay insured.
If you need to make a monthly payment (or "premium") to stay insured, it isimportant to make all payments on time. You can make payments online, by phone, or at any Healthfirst community office in your neighborhood.

I still have questions. I’m not sure if this program is right for my child.
We’re here to help! If your child does not qualify for Child Health Plus, he or she may be eligible for Medicaid Managed Care or another Healthfirst health insurance programs. Contact a Healthfirst representative by phone to ask which health program is best for your child.

*Some children who had employer-based health insurance within the past six months may be subject to a waiting period before they can enroll in Child Health Plus.  This will depend on your household income and the reason your children lost employer-based coverage.