The cost of health care is increasing each year, and as a result millions of kids are going without health care coverage. However, the high divorce rate is also impacting kids’ access to health care coverage. Fortunately, with a little planning and strategizing, you can work together as a family unit to find the best way to find a solution to this problem.

Health Insurance Coverage Options for Kids

If you are divorced and you are having a difficult time finding an affordable health care plan for your kids then you can look into state funded health care programs like CHIPS. For parents with very little income Medicaid is another health insurance program that your children may be able to qualify for. To learn about all your low income health care coverage options for your kids visit your local Social Security or Social Services Department.

Your second option for health insurance coverage for your kids is to utilize an employee sponsored health insurance program. Generally parenting plans are set up so that if one parent is offered health insurance through their employer then they are required to cover their child under that program. If both you and your former spouse have health insurance coverage offered by your employers, then you need to select the plan that offers the best coverage for the lowest premium.

Your third option is to shop around and find an individual health insurance program or a family health insurance program that you can afford. Blue Cross/Blue Shield offers several affordable options that most families can afford. However, to save more money you can look for HMO and PPOs offered by other insurance companies.

Who Pays for Coverage

When it comes to paying for the health insurance coverage for your children you will need to refer to your parenting plan. During most divorces that involve children, this issue is discussed. The responsibility for covering the cost of health insurance can be either assigned to one parent or to both parents. If possible, it is a good idea to split the cost of the insurance, however, if one parent makes significantly more than the other, then they can cover the cost of the insurance and take the tax credit for their contributions.

The effects of divorce on children can include not having health insurance coverage. To minimize the negative children and divorce more effectively.