| Hospitals
promote health insurance for children
As back to school preparations begin St. Mary’s and Clearwater Valley Hospitals are encouraging parents to apply for medical insurance for their children if they are not covered. The Idaho Health Plan Coverage for Children, formerly known as the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) provides low or no cost health coverage for doctor visits, prescriptions, vision screening, immunizations, dental benefits and other health needs for children up to age 19. Children who qualify for the free or reduced school lunch program would most likely also qualify for the health coverage. Only parental income is counted in determining eligibility. A single parent and child can have a monthly income before taxes of $2,158 to qualify for the program. A family of four can have a monthly income before taxes of $3,268. An application form or more information is available by calling the Idaho Careline, 2-1-1 or visiting www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov . Information is also available by visiting the local Idaho Department of Health and Welfare field offices. “Both our hospitals have financial counselors who are more than willing to answer questions or to help families with the application process,” said Jeanette Gorman, SMH/CVH Community Relations Coordinator. “Parents have enough to worry about these days. Having their children covered with health insurance can take that particular worry away. When a child is covered it is so much easier to make health care decisions based on need, rather than on financial considerations.” The hospital’s financial counselors can be reached by calling SMH in Cottonwood, 962-3251 or CVH in Orofino, 476-4555. |
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