Health insurance for children only?

Question

My employer covers my health insurance 100%, but to insure my children through my job, it's going to cost me a small fortune every month. Are there any private insurance companies where I can insure my children ONLY, and not myself? (I've found a couple sites, but they all ask for my information, and I don't need insurance--only my children do.) Does anyone know of any companies that will insure only my children, or do I have to insure myself as well?

Answer 1

In many states it is possible to purchase individual child-only coverage.  Since health insurance markets are different in each state, however, it’s hard to make a specific recommendation for you.  The monthly premiums and the different kinds of benefits offered can also vary widely.

Here are a couple suggestions:

* Talk to a licensed agent.  It doesn’t add anything to your final costs and an agent that represents more than one insurance carrier can help you understand what your real options are.  

* Take a look at your options online.  Visit a licensed online health insurance agency like eHealthInsurance (where I work).  At our site, for example, you can enter in your zip code and your child’s age and s*x (list your child in the “applicant” field) to get free quotes and review plan rates and benefits side by side.  You can apply for coverage online, too.  You’ll want to think about what kind of coverage is most important to you.  Like, are you willing to pay out a bit more for copayments or a deductible in order to keep the monthly rates low while preserving coverage for serious illness of hospitalization?  Or is it more important to you that well-child visits and immunizations are covered with a minimal copayment?

I just ran some quotes for a five-year-old boy living in California and found a whole host of different health plans available ranging from a little over to $30 to about $300 a month.  Rates are subject to change, of course, and a lot depends on where you live, the health of your child, etc, but perhaps that gives you an idea of the range of possibilities.  

If you’d like to speak with one of our licensed agents, give us a call at 1-800-977-8860.

Good luck!

Amir M, licensed agent

Answer 2

Nearly all companies will write child only policies. Check with a local agent that works with all the major companies in your area. The agent can make sure you get a policy for them that covers what you need covered and can explain the exclusions of the policies. There is no extra charge using an agent. Don't use the internet unless you want to take the chance of getting scammed or getting a policy that won't cover well.

Answer 3

yes, they will write for children only. but, i dont know that you are going to save any money doing that. group policies have a history of richer benefits than that of an individual policy. you can get quotes online from any major insurance through their specific website. also, if your kids have any medical conditions (even asthma or allergies) their rates could be higher. on a group policy, those things dont matter. (unless there is a pre-existing condition waiting period, talk to your HR)

Answer 4

All of the carriers in Colorado will offer children only coverage. Your information is needed for billing and legal reasons only.

Don

http://mtnhealthinsurance.com

Answer 5

Yes, I don't understand why people look to the employer to insure family members when it costs so much more to do so.  Avoid the sites that only ask for information and provide none because they're selling your name to countless salespeople...some good...some bad.

Jeff

Answer 6

Sure, many do.  If your child is healthy, a low deductible policy will cost you about $200 per month, per child.  If any children have anything wrong with them, either that condition will be excluded and the policy rate increased, or the insurance company won't take them at all.

BCBS, in particular, will write kids stand alone.

You can also check with your state children's health insurance plan.