I moved to a new state a while ago and took care of the insurance details (or so I thought). Waiting for the insurance card was frustrating, and I finally got one just for me (not for my child). After many calls and emails, I learned my child wasn’t enrolled in health insurance (but somehow has dental and life insurance).
What should I do next? I messed this up and feel terrible as a parent. I’m hearing that I can’t apply for insurance until November, but my child has already missed their pediatrician appointment.
Finn said:
If you’re stuck, consider calling the pediatrician’s office and ask for the self-pay price. You might need to save up for that or pay what you can.
You could also check out an FQHC, which charges based on what you can afford.
What state are you in? Can you share your household income and how many people are living in your home (just you and your child, or is there a spouse)?
Can you confirm if you missed enrolling your child or if there’s evidence that you did register them, but there’s another issue?
@Quince
I think it’s very important to figure out what went wrong when you thought your child was enrolled and why only dental and life insurance are in place.
Was this through an employer or the state’s healthcare exchange? When did you complete the insurance work? Did it coincide with the Open Enrollment period for the upcoming year?
Mistakes do happen during enrollment, so the first step is to see if there is anything you can correct. Remember, you’re not a bad parent. You believed you handled everything correctly. Mistakes can happen to anyone.
@Keaton
I enrolled through my work during the open enrollment. I believe it was in November. I probably messed up when enrolling (I tend to struggle with forms). My employer and the insurance say it’s too late to cover her now.
@Adi
Have you considered asking your HR department for copies of your enrollment? It does seem odd that your child has dental insurance but not health insurance. I wonder if your employer mixed something up.
@Hollis
It’s possible they just rushed me off the phone, and I felt like they weren’t interested. I don’t really understand how to argue about this, or what to ask.
Adi said: @Hollis
It’s possible they just rushed me off the phone, and I felt like they weren’t interested. I don’t really understand how to argue about this, or what to ask.
I get it. It’s stressful, but don’t be too hard on yourself! This stuff can be confusing. Companies make mistakes too—they should own up to them! I’d recommend writing to HR or whoever handles insurance at your company to ask for a copy of your enrollment forms. Just say you want it for your records, no need to explain.
You might want to check into Medicaid or CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) in your state. These options are often low-cost or free. The income limits for CHIP can be quite generous in many areas.
Look into short-term medical insurance. It might cover you until the next open enrollment.
Not sure if you can just get coverage for your child alone without including an adult.
If I remember correctly, short-term plans can exclude pre-existing conditions. So if your kid has existing health issues, it might not be the best fit. But if your child is otherwise healthy, a short-term plan could be an option.
If short-term medical isn’t available for just your child, check what it would cost to get it for both of you. I’m not sure if it’s affordable, but it’s worth exploring.
And don’t be hard on yourself. You’re doing your best, and we all make mistakes.