Get Kids Access To Dental Care

(NAPSI)—Here’s something many parents may be surprised to learn: tooth decay is the most common preventable chronic disease among children in the United States.

The Problem
If left untreated, it can hurt more than your kid’s mouth. Your child’s physical and social development—as well as his or her school performance—can also be affected. More than 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental-related illness. Kids with healthy teeth have fewer sick days and less distractions from learning.

The Good News
Parents may be surprised to find that getting their child’s teeth checked is easier and less expensive than they think. Under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), essential health care services like preventative care and dental health are covered. For more than 20 years, CHIP has been instrumental in reducing the number of uninsured children to historic lows. Medicaid and CHIP cover more than one-third of all children in the U.S. and have helped insure 95 percent of the nation’s children—an estimated 35.5 million currently are covered.

How It Works
Dental coverage includes access to regular check-ups, x-rays, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, fillings and more.

Parents can look online to see whether their children are eligible. In most states, children and teens up to age 19 can enroll. Depending on income, many families qualify for free or low-cost health coverage. In general, children and teens in a family of four earning up to $50,000 a year—and in some places more—may qualify for Medicaid and CHIP.

Children and teens can stay covered for as long as they qualify. Families can enroll at any time of the year, but need to renew coverage each year.

More Good News
Even if your application for Medicaid and CHIP has been denied before, you and your children may now be eligible. Parents may qualify for Medicaid as well, but you don’t have to be eligible for your child to get coverage.

Who Can Help
More kids can be covered with the help of Medicaid and CHIP. With that as the goal, the Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign, a national outreach and enrollment initiative, informs families with children and teens about Medicaid and CHIP eligibility. Families enroll through their states. Call 1-877-KIDS-NOW or visit InsureKidsNow.gov to be connected to program offices in your state.

Learn More
For more information and to see eligibility requirements, visit www.InsureKidsNow.gov.

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)