The CHIP program has evolved over the years and is another option, via the government, for possible health insurance. However, please note that this government program is not a full blown health insurance plan like you could get through private health insurance companies and thus have limitations and coverage caps, etc. CHIP is a great possible option for those on a lower income or if one cannot get on an individual health insurance plan due to medical underwriting. Below is information on benefits that have been added to the CHIPS program this year.

Shortly after taking office, on February 4, 2009, President Obama signed into law new regulations and extension of benefits (CHIPRA) for an existing children's health insurance program (CHIP).

This act provides health insurance coverage to lower income pregnant women and children who do not qualify for the state assistance program, but who fall within 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL). It is designed to help children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to afford private health insurance.

The act was made effective April 1, 2009 and will continue through 2013.

Under this bill more than four million uninsured children will be able to get medical assistance. Increased tobacco taxes will offset the increase in spending which is currently estimated at more than $32 billion over the next four years.

Here are some important highlights of this bill:

- Dental care coverage increases. States must cover dental care under the children's health program. They will also be allowed to provide dental coverage as a supplement to private insurance.

- Legal immigrants qualify for assistance more quickly. Pregnant women and children under 21 are the ones affected. Previously, legal immigrants had to wait five years from the time they entered the United States before they were eligible for medical assistance from Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Now States are able to cover pregnant women and children who are legal immigrants.

- Financial eligibility requirements have been raised. This means more families can be helped. A pregnant woman's financial eligibility is now set at 185% of the Federal Poverty Level; a child under 19 is set at 200% of the FPL. The cap is set at 300%.

- States can choose how they want to implement this increased health coverage. They can expand Medicaid by increasing the maximum family income allowable for children. Or they can expand current health programs by increasing the number of children they will accept into the program or by opening the doors to allow higher-income families to participate. They are also able to establish new programs that comply with federal law. However the States choose to do it, they will receive matching funds from the federal government for the new children enrolled.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Doug_Gulleson

When it comes to health care for you or your family, it can be a very vital part to living a normal life. There are many Americans that do not have the resources to provide medical plans to them or their family. That leaves many people without drugs, eyeglasses, and other necessary medical products. In a lot of cases, health services can be provided by that persons employer, and may also cover their families medical costs. Health programs are something that everyone should have, especially if you have a family to support.

If you have just always assumed that you cannot afford health care, you should look at the different pricing and coverage packages. You can get free online health insurance quotes, which will give you a list of quotes and coverage. The quote gives you a comparison of pricing and coverage from today's top insurance companies. You may find that health insurance can be more affordable than you originally thought. If you have children and you cannot provide them health services, there are programs that you can use to give them health protection. In today's world medical plans are very controversial, and everyone has a different opinion. One thing that is not arguable, is that everyone needs some type of health coverage to live a normal life.

Health care is hard for some people to afford, but it is very necessary for many situations. It is a horrible place to be in if you have had a medical problem, and then you are stuck with medical bills. Many Americans get stuck with piles of medical bills, with no way to pay them off, because they are without insurance. Make life easier on yourself, and find out how much health insurance would cost you for adequate coverage. There is no better investment than to ensure you will not have to worry about medical costs when you have a health problem.




Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Redditt

If you have read any of my previous articles, you would know that I was diagnosed with cancer at the base of my tongue in 1999. Upon the diagnosis I tried several approaches with alternative methods before going the traditional route of the radiation and chemotherapy. I'm going to give you two scenarios so pay attention to both of them. At the end of the article you will know how cancer insurance works or doesn't work!

I realized I had a lump in the side of my neck that wasn't supposed to be there. I went to an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor and he did a needle biopsy but could not determine what it was. He then informed that it would be in my best interest to obtain another ENT since he was moving his practice. So I"m out money with him and go to another. Same story, same situation. I was told that the only way to know for sure was to have a surgeon actually put me to sleep and do a biopsy. I did and it was determined to be cancerous but it was not the main tumor. So I go back to the surgeon, he puts me back to sleep, goes down my throat and finds a small tumor at the base of my tongue. At this point he actually tells me that he is turning me over to the "big boys". meaning he is sending me to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Have you counted the number of times and different doctors, procedures? Well, Vanderbilt wants to put me to sleep and do a biopsy of the tumor to be absolutely sure, and it was cancer. But they wanted me to come back in a week for their answer in how to treat it. Oh yeah, once they do a biopsy like that, you don't really feel like going back to work the next day. So lost time from work here, lost pay, still have cancer.

I return to Vanderbilt and the treatment they suggested just did not fit in my schedule. Remove the backside of my tongue, muscle tissue from the neck and remove some jaw bone was not in my picture! So we leave there not knowing which way to go. WEll, I'm going to shorten this up a little. I did some alternative treatments on my on which was money out of my pocket. Lost time from work. Keep in mind that I had an excellent group policy that paid well on the major hospitals and doctors and procedures but I was out of work so lost pay plus you still have deductibles, etc. So what do I do next? I fly to Mexico to do alternative treatments I found. Think insurance paid for that? I was there about three weeks. Again lost time from work, no pay, airfare, hotel room, food, etc. The treatment there did stop the cancer for about two years. then in 2002 it returned. Keep in mind, the treatment center in Mexico told me they thought they could stop it but would not guarantee that in would not return! They were truthful and accurate. But I had found out about a new procedure in Memphis that was giving very good results for the type of cancer I had. I went there, took the treatments, was off work for a couple or three months. I'm now cancer free.

The bottom line is that I am so glad to hear about the treatment in Memphis. But can you see the time and dollars I was out until I found that right doctor and the right procedure? Several thousand!

Now fast forward almost six years to the month. My son has a problem in his throat. At thirty seven years of age I was worried. And he went to his doctor who referred him to an ENT. I said Whoa! May I make a suggestion here son? I set him up with the doctor in Memphis. And yes it was cancer on his vocal chords. He went through thirty radiation treatments, like I did, but did not have to have chemo. He has suffered, lost time from work, lost pay, out dollars traveling back and forth from his home to have radiation on a daily basis. I drove almost two hundred and fifty miles a day for several weeks for radiation. It was cheaper than staying in a motel room.

So here is the bottom line. The difference in the cancer I had and the type my son had was about one inch. From the base of the tongue to the vocals is about that far. But do you want to know the major difference in my son and me? He received a check for $30,000.00 because he had supplemental cancer insurance that paid on the diagnosis of internal or life threatening cancer! Trust me, he had much rather had never had to use that policy but he was smart enough to know the benefits of having that policy. There is a history of cancer in our family and he knew the risks. I just never thought I would have cancer! Considering the low cost of the insurance it was clearly a huge mistake on my part.

So there you have it. I was out many, many dollars that insurance would not pay for and my son actually put money in the bank.

If there is a history of cancer in your family, it's crazy not to have this inexpensive type of coverage. It's crazy not to have it if there is no history.

Hello, I'm Mac Caldwell, That Health Insurance Guy, and I've been helping people with their Health Insurance for the past several years. What is "important to you" with your Health Insurance is the key ingredient in determining your premiums. You should get with an agent, who looks out for you, and not tries to sell you what he wants you to have. Consider all the options.

Almost half of all the bankruptcies in the United States are the result of medical expenses. And many of these people had Health Insurance.

Don't Go Uninsured!



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mac_Caldwell