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Without health insurance, doctor visits and emergency care costs can escalate quickly. Health insurance can help reduce out-of-pocket medical costs and avoid serious financial strain. Providing health insurance for kids can help give them the best chance to grow up healthy. Read on to learn what health insurance for children covers, how much it costs, and why getting a plan for your kids is worth it.
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Health insurance for kids can have similar coverage to an adult plan. Examples of some covered events include:1
In most cases, children can stay on their parent's health insurance plan until they turn 26 years old.2 However, this depends on the regulations within the parent or guardian's plan, their state of residence, and unique circumstances. You can get health insurance for children and yourself through the insurance marketplace, government programs, or your employer, if offered.3 You should always Compare health insurance coverage options to determine what plan is best for you and your loved ones.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Get StartedThe cost of health insurance for children depends on age, location, and whether they may be included in their parent's plan. Some insurance companies charge higher premiums for family health plans.
If the child is under the age of 14, you can usually pay a flat rate to add them to an existing adult health insurance plan. From ages 14 to 26, the premium may steadily rise each year for the child's coverage.4 The specific price of medical insurance for kids depends on the existing plan's coverage and baseline cost. You should always review the specifics of each health insurance plan to understand the cost of add-on benefits.
If you can't afford health insurance for a child, you may be eligible for The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This program offers free or low-cost insurance for children in your life, depending on the state you live in and your financial abilities.1 This plan offers health insurance for kids only. The age restrictions vary from state to state, but generally, anyone under 19 years old is considered young enough for this child-only health insurance program.5
It's crucial to get proper health insurance for children. Having access to regular check-ups and treatments when ill or injured is essential to a child's well-being. Health insurance can help ensure that your child can get the preventive care and procedures they need without breaking the bank.
When shopping for the right health insurance plan for children, you should look for plans that provide coverage for:
Evaluate out-of-pocket costs, including premiums, co-pays, and deductibles, to find a plan that fits your budget while providing the necessary care.
Having health insurance for children can help your kids get the medical care they need. Additionally, supplemental insurance can help bridge coverage gaps in a medical plan. Aflac offers several supplemental insurance policies, like cancer, critical illness, hospital, short-term disability, vision, and accident. Some of these insurance plans offer the ability to extend support to family members. Chat with an agent to explore how to get more support for you and your loved ones.
Get Started
Child life insurance can guarantee coverage for them and can offer a cash value benefit later on. Learn what child life insurance is and the pros and cons.
Wondering how long you can stay on your parent’s health insurance? Learn how staying on your parent’s insurance works and what children’s options are after.
Child life insurance can guarantee coverage for them and can offer a cash value benefit later on. Learn what child life insurance is and the pros and cons.
Wondering how long you can stay on your parent’s health insurance? Learn how staying on your parent’s insurance works and what children’s options are after.
1 HealthCare.gov - The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Accessed February 24, 2025. https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/childrens-health-insurance-program/.
2 Value Penguin – Health Insurance at Age 26: Leaving Your Parent's Plan. Updated January 8, 2025. Accessed February 24, 2025. https://www.valuepenguin.com/health-insurance-age-26.
3 Nerd Wallet - How to Choose Health Insurance: 5 Steps to Pick the Best Plan. Updated January 27, 2025. Accessed February 24, 2025. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/health/choose-health-insurance.
4 Value Penguin - Average Health Insurance Cost in 2025. Updated January 8, 2025. Accessed February 24, 2025. https://www.valuepenguin.com/average-cost-of-health-insurance.
5 Medicaid – CHIP Eligibility & Enrollment. Accessed February 24, 2025. https://www.medicaid.gov/chip/eligibility/index.html.
6 Investopedia - Medicare vs. Medicaid What's the Difference? Updated December 2, 2024. Accessed February 24, 2025. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/07/medicare-vs-medicaid.asp.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.
Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Accident, A36000 series: In Delaware, Policies A36100DE—A36400DE, & A363OFDE. In Idaho, Policies A36100ID–A36400ID, & A363OFID. In Oklahoma, Policies A36100OK– A36400OK, & A363OFOK. In Virginia, Policies A36100VA – A36400VA, & A363OFVA. A37000 series: In Delaware, Policy A371AA & A371BA. In Idaho, Policy A37000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy A37000OK. In Virginia, Policies A371AAVA & A371BAVA.
Cancer/Specified-Disease, B70000 series: In Delaware, Policies B70100DE, B70200DE & B70300DE. In Idaho, Policies B70100ID, B70200ID, B70300ID, B7010EPID, B7020EPID. In Oklahoma, Policies B70100OK, B70200OK, B70300OK, B7010EPOK, B7020EPOK. 75000 series: In Virginia, policies A75100VA–A75300VA. Cancer insurance is also known as specified disease insurance in some states.
Critical Illness/Specified Health Event, A74000 series: In Delaware, Policies A74100DE, A74200DE, A74300DE. In Idaho, Policies A74100ID, A74200ID, A74300ID. In Oklahoma, Policies A74100OK, A74200OK, A74300OK. In Virginia, Policies A74100VA, A74200VA, A74300VA. A73000 series: In Delaware, Policies A73100DE & A7310HDE. In Idaho, Policies A73100ID & A7310HID. In Oklahoma, Policies A73100OK & A7310HOK. In Virginia, Policy A73100VA & A7310HVA. B71000 series: In Delaware, Policies B71100, B71200, B7130H & B7140H. In Oklahoma, Policies B71100OK & B7110HOK.
Hospital, B40000 series: In Delaware, Policies B40100DE & B4010HDE. In Idaho, Policies B40100ID & B4010HID. In Oklahoma, Policies B40100OK & B4010HOK. In Pennsylvania, Policies B40100PA & B4010HPA. In Virginia, Policies B40100VA & B4010HVA.
Short-Term Disability, A57600 series: In Delaware, Policies A57600DE & A57600LB. In Idaho, Policy A57600IDR. In Oklahoma, Policies A57600OK & A57600LBOK. In Virginia, Policies A57600VA & A57600LBVA.
Vision, VSN series: In Delaware, Policy VSN100. In Idaho, Policy VSN100ID. In Oklahoma, Policy VSN100OKR. In Virginia, Policy VSN100VA.
Tier One coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (NAIC 92908).
Accident, T37000 series: In Delaware, Policy T37000. In Idaho, Policies T37100ID, T37200ID, & T37300ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T37000OK. In Virginia, Policies T37100VA, T37200VA, T37300VA, T37400VA & T37600VA.
Cancer/Specified Disease plans, T70000 series: In Delaware, Policy T70000. In Idaho, Policy T70000ID. In Oklahoma T70000OK, In Virginia, policies T70000VA & T70000GVA. Critical Illness, T71000 series: In Delaware, Policy T71000. In Oklahoma, Policy T71000OK. In Virginia, Policy T71100VA. Dental, Vision and Hearing: In Delaware, Policy T80000. In Idaho, Policy T80000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T80000OK. Not available NY or VA. Dental claims are administered by SKYGEN USA, LLC. Vision claims are administered by EyeMed Vision Care, LLC. Hearing claims are administered by Nations Hearing. NOTICE: The coverage offered is not a qualified health plan (QHP) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is not required to satisfy essential health benefits mandates of the ACA. The coverage provides limited benefits.
Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY, VA or VT. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations, and exclusions.
Aflac WWHQ | Tier One Insurance Company | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
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