Erie County Government - Official website of the Erie County, NY Government
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Erie County Department of Social Services
Erie County Department of Social Services
Note: Although this web site is fully accessible to all browsers and internet devices, it has been designed to utilize current web standards, and therefore appears quite differently in browsers that do not support current web standards.
For more information on web standards and how to upgrade your browser please visit the Browser Upgrade Campaign at http://www.webstandards.org/upgrade/.
Banner Photo Credits: Photographs by the U.S. Census Bureau, Public Information Office (PIO).
More Information:
Medicaid
Child Health Plus
What is Child Health Plus?
Child Health Plus is a health insurance program for children. There are two types of Child Health Plus coverage:
- Child Health Plus A provides Medicaid coverage for children.
- Child Health Plus B provides coverage only through specific HMOs.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for Child Health Plus A or B, children must be under the age of 19 and be residents of New York State. Whether your child qualifies for Child Health Plus A or Child Health Plus B depends on gross family income.
Children who are not eligible for Child Health Plus A can enroll in Child Health Plus B if they do not already have health insurance and are not eligible for coverage under the public employees' state health benefits plan.
What does the Program Cost?
There are no co-payments for services or benefits received. Depending on your gross family income, you may have to pay a family contribution to enroll in Child Health Plus B.
There is no family contribution to join Child Health Plus A. Find your monthly family income on the chart below to see whether your child is most likely to qualify for Child Health Plus A or B.
Expanded Income Levels for Children and Pregnant Women:
[Child Health Plus A]
- Infants to age one and pregnant women - 200% of the Federal Poverty Level [FPL]
*Note that pregnant women count as 2 people* - Children over age 1 to under age 6 - 133% of the Federal Poverty Level
- Children age 6 to 19 years - 100% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Child Health Plus A Monthly Income Levels
| Family Size | Monthly Income: Effective January 01, 2009 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 100%FPL | 133%FPL | 200%FPL | |
| 1 | $903 | $1,201 | $1,805 |
| 2 | $1,215 | $1,615 | $2,429 |
| 3 | $1,526 | $2,030 | $3,052 |
| 4 | $1,838 | $2,444 | $3,675 |
| 5 | $2,150 | $2,859 | $4,299 |
| 6 | $2,461 | $3,273 | $4,922 |
| 7 | $2,773 | $3,688 | $5,545 |
| 8 | $3,085 | $4,102 | $6,169 |
| For each additional person, add | $312 | $415 | $624 |
[FPL] Federal Poverty Level
You cannot enroll your child in Child Health Plus B if your family's income makes you eligible for Child Health Plus A. The Full Premium will vary, depending on the insurer selected. It is probably much less than you would pay for other private insurance.
What benefits do my children get?
- Well-child care
- Physical exams
- Immunizations
- Diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury
- X-ray and lab tests
- Outpatient surgery
- Emergency care
- Prescription and non-prescription drugs if ordered
- Inpatient hospital, medical or surgical care
- Short-term therapeutic outpatient services [chemotherapy, hemodialysis]
- Limited inpatient and outpatient treatment for alcoholism and substance abuse, and mental health
- Dental care
- Vision care
- Speech and hearing
- Durable medical equipment
With both Child Health Plus A and B, most of your child's health needs will be covered. In addition:
- Child Health Plus A covers transportation to doctors appointments and orthodontia treatment.
- Child Health Plus A also has an added guarantee that provides for all medically necessary treatment.
How do I apply?
For general information about Child Health Plus, call toll-free: 1-800-698-4KIDS [1-800-698-4543]
Child Health Plus LINKS:
New York State Department of Health - Child Health Plus Brochure: http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/chplus/brochure2.htm
New York State Department of Health - Child Health Plus website: http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/chplus/cplus-1.htm
In Erie County, you can apply for Child Health Plus A through the Erie County Department of Social Services. The participating insurers/enrollers listed below can help you apply for either Child Health Plus A or B. Please contact them for locations and office hours.
Erie County Department of Social Services
95 Franklin Street
Buffalo, New York 14202-3959
[716] 858-8000
Participating Insurers/Enrollers:
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Western N.Y.
1901 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14208
1-800-888-5407
[716] 887-7520
http://www.bcbswny.com
Univera Community Health
205 Park Club Lane
Buffalo, New York 14221
[716] 504-0560
800-494-2215
http://www.univeracommunityhealth.org/pm.asp
Fidelis Care of N.Y.
40 John Glen Drive
Amherst, New York 14228
1-888-343-3547
[716] 564-3630
http://fideliscare.org
The participating community enrollers can assist you in applying for either Child Health Plus A or B. They will help you fill out the application, collect the necessary documents, and select a health plan. If your income is above the Child Health Plus A level you will be enrolled directly into Child Health Plus B.
Child Health Plus Website http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/chplus/index.htm
What about single individuals and couples?
Medicaid Level for Childless Individuals, Couples, And Low Income Families For 2009
| Individuals | Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $706 |
| 2 | $881 |
| 3 | $1,048 |
| 4 | $1,217 |
| 5 | $1,391 |
| 6 | $1,519 |
| 7 | $1,653 |
| 8 | $1,825 |
| For each individual Member, add | $99 |
Your information resource from the government of Erie County, New York
