Health experts warn parents of a possible ‘triple epidemic’ of respiratory syncytial virus, flu and COVID-19, but pediatricians say it’s a good idea to check your child’s health insurance to avoid medical debt. I say it’s time.
About 60% of children are covered by the West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program, better known as Medicaid or CHIP.
Families using these programs for insurance coverage have been automatically re-enrolled during the current COVID-19 federal public health emergency.
The public health emergency is in effect until mid-January, and the Department of Health and Human Services has promised to give 60 days’ notice before the public health emergency expires.
But Jennifer Garlac, Ph.D., vice president of the West Virginia chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said it’s time to check on your child’s insurance status ahead of federal changes and high medical bills.
“We don’t want to make it difficult for parents to seek health care for their children because they have health insurance,” Gerlach said. “We want to make sure everyone is covered … so that children in West Virginia can get help when they need it.”
Health care is one of the country’s major sources of debt, with NPR report More than 100 million Americans have medical debt.
Gerlach, who also serves as a medical consultant for state CHIP, said Medicaid and CHIP applications are down 30%.
Once the public health emergency is lifted, families will need to re-enroll in Medicaid and CHIP.
“We want families to be re-enrolled so they don’t lose their coverage,” Gerlach said.
Contact the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to verify your status. Medicaid When chips coverage.
