If you’re unable to get insurance through your employer or another group and your income is too high to qualify for Medicaid and CHIP, you may be able to buy individual coverage for your child from a Texas-licensed health insurance company.
Private Insurance
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is the only licensed company in the state that sells a child-only plan. The Blue Pathway plan is for children ages 1 to 18. The 2011 enrollment period ended in September. Beginning in 2012, enrollment in Blue Pathway will be open every May 1 through June 30.
For more information, visit www.bcbstx.com/coverage/individual/bluepathway.html or call 1-888-672-2583.
Texas Health Insurance Pool
The Health Pool is primarily for Texans who are unable to get insurance from private insurers because of their health condition. To be eligible for Health Pool coverage, a child must be one of the following:
- rejected for similar individual coverage for health reasons
- diagnosed with a medical condition that automatically qualifies for Health Pool coverage
- unable to find similar individual coverage, except at rates higher than those charged by the Health Pool
- certified by an agent as unable because of a medical condition to obtain similar private health care coverage from a licensed insurance company or HMO that the agent represents a dependent of an adult covered by the Health Pool.
For more information, call the Health Pool or visit its website
1-888-398-3927
www.txhealthpool.org
Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan
The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) is another option for Texans who are unable to obtain health insurance. To qualify, an individual must have been without coverage for at least six months and must have a preexisting condition. PCIP is a temporary federal program that runs until insurance exchanges become effective in 2014. Premium costs are comparable to the rates someone who doesn’t have a preexisting condition would pay for insurance from a private insurer.
For more information, call PCIP or visit its website
1-866-717-5826
www.pcip.gov/
For more information contact:
Texas Department of Insurance