Arizona KidsCare provides coverage for childhood vaccinations, among other benefits.
Arizona's KidsCare Program is a division of the state's Medicaid program and a part of the state- and federally funded Children's Health Insurance Plan, or CHIP. The purpose of CHIP is to provide children who live in low-income households with access to affordable health insurance with comprehensive benefits. Each state determines its own income eligibility requirements for enrolling in the program, as well as the cost-sharing expenses that each enrollee will be responsible for paying.
Premiums
With the exception of federally recognized Native Americans and some Alaskan Natives, all KidsCare enrollees must pay a monthly premium to remain in the program. Premiums vary by income, household size and the number of children you have. The lowest income-earners and those from the largest households may pay as little as $10 per month for one child, while those with higher incomes or smaller households may pay a sum as high as $70 per month for two or more children.
Qualifications
To qualify for the Arizona KidsCare Program, your child must be 18 years old or younger, live in Arizona as a legal immigrant or citizen of the U.S., have a Social Security number and have no other health insurance coverage. Additionally, you may not enroll your child in KidsCare if she qualifies for the state's Medicaid program. Once the state receives your application and establishes that you are applying for a qualifying child, it will determine your child's eligibility for the program based on your household income. The state's KidsCare income guidelines change every April, but as of May 2011, a child from a four-person household could qualify with an annual income of $44,100 or less.
Coverage
Arizona's KidsCare Program covers all of the federally mandated health benefits, including preventive care and well-child checkups, as well as childhood vaccinations, hospital care and diagnostic services, such as lab work and x-rays. Children also have access to both dental and vision benefits as well -- two benefits that are typically not included with private health insurance policies. Additionally, Arizona's KidsCare program features specialist care, prescription drug coverage and hearing screenings.
Considerations
In January 2010, Arizona froze the KidsCare Program from accepting new applicants due to a lack of state funding for the program. As of May 2011, the program is still frozen, but it is still accepting applications. Those who qualify for the program go onto a waiting list, of which the applicants with the oldest application dates receive first priority as spots in the program become available. If you are a part of the program but fail to pay your premiums on time, the state will discontinue your coverage and you must apply to the waiting list again.
