Kids and Health Care: Other Plans

If you don't get health insurance at work and insurance companies consider you or your kids uninsurable -- because of your age, pre-existing conditions or other reasons -- you can usually find some form of state-sponsored health coverage...at least for your kids.

These programs should be used as a last resort, because they typically offer limited benefits, are expensive and usually include a waiting period before the benefits kick in and you are covered. But at least they're there, if you need them. You can find out about these plans by calling your state insurance department.

If money is the problem, you may qualify for Medicaid. This federally-funded network of state-run programs provides medical assistance to low-income families and individuals of all ages. Your county's Social Services Department or -- again -- the state insurance department can fill you in on the eligibility requirements.

But don't give up on getting health coverage through work. Get up your courage and ask your employer to check out state-subsidized health insurance. If your employer can't afford to offer health coverage through normal channels, it may be able to get some help from the state government.

For example: In California, companies with three to 50 full-time employees are eligible for the Health Insurance Plan of California (HIPC), a state-sponsored pool. It guarantees coverage to workers in any one of 20 different health plans offered through.

We've included a list of state insurance departments and their contact information in Appendix A.

insurance companies or HMOs at more favorable rates. Most small employers can't be refused coverage because of the medical history of one or more of their employees; this is known as a guaranteed issue policy.

These state-run programs are designed particularly to provide coverage for families with children.