Get Health Insurance Coverage for a Child
School nurses can play an important role in accessing health insurance for children and their families, especially those who may be eligible for Medicaid.
We recommend the following actions to assist parents and guardians with enrollment in Medicaid or purchase of commercial health insurance.
Commercial Plans
Health insurance. There are limited options for access to subsidized health insurance for children who do not qualify for MO HealthNet programs. Healthcare.gov is a clearinghouse for companies offering government-subsidized health insurance.
Medications. Some families with health insurance need assistance with medication costs. Patient Assistance Programs are offered by manufacturers directly or through a coalition of organizations. A leading, reputable and comprehensive resource for co-pay, co-insurance or other out-of-pocket payment assistance is Partnership for Prescription Assistance.
Medicaid
The State of Missouri's Medicaid program is called MO HealthNet and operates with two coverage types: Managed Care Program and Fee-For-Service. Children, pregnant women, newborns, uninsured women, and families may be eligible under the Managed Care. People with disabilities, seniors, blind/visually impaired, and women with breast or cervical cancer may be eligible under the Fee-For-Service program.
1. Check eligibility for Medicaid coverage. Click here for website to help parents and guardians check eligibility.
2. Apply for Medicaid through an Online Application. Here is the website that provides the entry point to completing an application for Medicaid coverage for children. The one-stop spot for complete information about enrollment can be found here: How to enroll?
3. Talk to a Medicaid enrollment specialist. Parents may call the Enrollment Center at 1-800-348-6627.
4. Refer to a community health center to assist with the application.
In-person application assistance for MO HealthNet is available at most Missouri Community Health Centers. Specially trained staff – often called Certified Application Counselors, insurance application assisters, or outreach staff – help families find affordable insurance and access to health care. Parents should contact their local Health Center if they need help with their application. Community Health Center staff are also available to school nurses who may have general questions about applying for MO HealthNet.
5. Request free assistance from a non-profit legal aid organization
Every county in Missouri has access to a Legal Aid organization. The map below shows the 4 organizations that cover each county. They provide free assistance with the application process for Family Medicaid (Mo HealthNet), MO HealthNet for Pregnant Women, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), free assistance tracking applications and help with any follow up (submitting requested verification information, etc.), free assistance resolving problems/issues with pending Medicaid applications.
We recommend the following actions to assist parents and guardians with enrollment in Medicaid or purchase of commercial health insurance.
Commercial Plans
Health insurance. There are limited options for access to subsidized health insurance for children who do not qualify for MO HealthNet programs. Healthcare.gov is a clearinghouse for companies offering government-subsidized health insurance.
Medications. Some families with health insurance need assistance with medication costs. Patient Assistance Programs are offered by manufacturers directly or through a coalition of organizations. A leading, reputable and comprehensive resource for co-pay, co-insurance or other out-of-pocket payment assistance is Partnership for Prescription Assistance.
Medicaid
The State of Missouri's Medicaid program is called MO HealthNet and operates with two coverage types: Managed Care Program and Fee-For-Service. Children, pregnant women, newborns, uninsured women, and families may be eligible under the Managed Care. People with disabilities, seniors, blind/visually impaired, and women with breast or cervical cancer may be eligible under the Fee-For-Service program.
1. Check eligibility for Medicaid coverage. Click here for website to help parents and guardians check eligibility.
2. Apply for Medicaid through an Online Application. Here is the website that provides the entry point to completing an application for Medicaid coverage for children. The one-stop spot for complete information about enrollment can be found here: How to enroll?
3. Talk to a Medicaid enrollment specialist. Parents may call the Enrollment Center at 1-800-348-6627.
4. Refer to a community health center to assist with the application.
In-person application assistance for MO HealthNet is available at most Missouri Community Health Centers. Specially trained staff – often called Certified Application Counselors, insurance application assisters, or outreach staff – help families find affordable insurance and access to health care. Parents should contact their local Health Center if they need help with their application. Community Health Center staff are also available to school nurses who may have general questions about applying for MO HealthNet.
- Click here for the map and directory of sites across Missouri.
- Click here to read and download the Missouri Community Health Center brochure. It includes information about Health Center services and a map showing all Health Centers sites in Missouri.
5. Request free assistance from a non-profit legal aid organization
Every county in Missouri has access to a Legal Aid organization. The map below shows the 4 organizations that cover each county. They provide free assistance with the application process for Family Medicaid (Mo HealthNet), MO HealthNet for Pregnant Women, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), free assistance tracking applications and help with any follow up (submitting requested verification information, etc.), free assistance resolving problems/issues with pending Medicaid applications.
How To Contact:
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri: Advocates for Family Health Program (http://lsem.org)
Adair, Clark, Franklin, Jefferson, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Louis, St. Louis City, Warren, Washington.
> Elizabeth Larsen, Advocates for Family Health Program Director - 314-256-8779 eilarsen@lsem.org
> Earlene Bolton, Outreach and Enrollment Specialist – 314-256-8753 ekbolton@lsem.org
Mid-Missouri Legal Services (http://mmls.org)
Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Chariton, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Miller, Moniteau, Osage, Randolph.
> Steven M. Kuntz, Staff Attorney - 573-442-0116 KuntzS@mmls.org
Legal Services of Southern Missouri (http://www.lsosm.org/)
Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Cedar, Christian, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Gasconade, Greene, Howell, Iron, Laclede, Lawrence, Madison, Maries, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Pole, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Wayne, Webster, Wright.
Legal Aid of Western Missouri (http://lawmo.org/)
Andrew, Atchison, Barton, Bates, Benton, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Camden, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Holt, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, McDonald, Mercer, Morgan, Newton, Nodaway, Pettis, Platte, Putnam, Ray, Saline, St. Clair, Sullivan, Vernon, Worth.
> Kaitee Purdon, Attorney & Director, Advocates for Family Health Project - (816) 474-1413 x 5204 kpurdon@lawmo.org
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri: Advocates for Family Health Program (http://lsem.org)
Adair, Clark, Franklin, Jefferson, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Louis, St. Louis City, Warren, Washington.
> Elizabeth Larsen, Advocates for Family Health Program Director - 314-256-8779 eilarsen@lsem.org
> Earlene Bolton, Outreach and Enrollment Specialist – 314-256-8753 ekbolton@lsem.org
Mid-Missouri Legal Services (http://mmls.org)
Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Chariton, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Miller, Moniteau, Osage, Randolph.
> Steven M. Kuntz, Staff Attorney - 573-442-0116 KuntzS@mmls.org
Legal Services of Southern Missouri (http://www.lsosm.org/)
Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Cedar, Christian, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Gasconade, Greene, Howell, Iron, Laclede, Lawrence, Madison, Maries, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Pole, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Wayne, Webster, Wright.
Legal Aid of Western Missouri (http://lawmo.org/)
Andrew, Atchison, Barton, Bates, Benton, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Camden, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Holt, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, McDonald, Mercer, Morgan, Newton, Nodaway, Pettis, Platte, Putnam, Ray, Saline, St. Clair, Sullivan, Vernon, Worth.
> Kaitee Purdon, Attorney & Director, Advocates for Family Health Project - (816) 474-1413 x 5204 kpurdon@lawmo.org
