Family health insurance is important for everybody, but it is especially important for the youngest family members. Your children will most likely visit their pediatrician frequently for checkups. They will also need dental and vision care. If your children are uninsured, those costs can add up over 18 years.
The most affordable family health insurance for children comes from a parent’s job. A standalone family health insurance plan comes in when one or both parents lack employer-based health insurance. In most cases, it is cheaper than buying separate policies for each family member.
Each state also offers government-sponsored insurance for children through SCHIP. Eligibility is based on the parents’ income level (usually up to several times the poverty level) and depends on the area’s cost of living. If your children aren’t eligible, get several family health insurance quotes to compare costs and coverage levels.