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Free Health Insurance For Pregnant Women, Young Children and Teens
Healthy Start is the name of Ohio's no-cost health coverage program for children, which is available to income-eligible pregnant women, and to the infants, children, and teens (up to age 19) of income-eligible parents. Healthy Start insurance pays for a variety of medical services, including routine care, emergency treatment, and hospitalization. This benefit also provides children with the medical, dental, and vision care that they need to maintain health and well-being during the important, growing years from infancy through adolescence. Healthy kids are happy kids, and they do better in school. They miss fewer school days due to sickness, so their parents miss less work.
Some families are unable to get health insurance through their employer - either because it's not offered or because it's too expensive. Through Healthy Start, there is now a way for those who may not be able to afford medical insurance to provide for their children's medical needs at no cost.
Any of the following services are covered if they are medically necessary for your children: DOCTOR VISITS, HOSPITAL CARE, IMMUNIZATIONS, PRESCRIPTIONS, VISION CARE, DENTAL CARE, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT, and other services.
Healthy Start also covers the medical needs of eligible pregnant women anytime during their pregnancy and up to 69 days after the baby is born.
Eligibilty for Healthy Start is based upon family size and gross income. If your income is determined to be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, your children may qualify for the benefit. Effective January 2001, if your income exceeds 150%, but is at or below 200% of poverty, your children may still qualify, provided that you pay a minimal monthly fee per child.
The only way to find out for sure if you qualify for Healthy Start is to complete the easy application process by contacting us at the agency.
For more information, you may also call the State of Ohio Healthy Start Consumer Hotline at: 1-800-324-8680.
Together, We Make Ohio's Children Strong
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