Every Medicaid program has a portion that covers children. Usually, this is called CHIP, or Children’s Health Insurance Program, and it covers kids who are under 18. New Mexico has New MexiKids for children 0 – 12 and New MexiTeens for teens ages 13 – 19.
Medicaid is a public, or government run, form of health insurance. It is designed to provide affordable health insurance for people who are low-income and who cannot afford to buy health insurance from a private company. Medicaid is funded by the federal government and also by the government of an individual state.
Every state has a portion of their Medicaid program that is designed to cover children. Often, this is called CHIP, or Children’s Health Insurance Program. Individual states can name it something else, if they want to. In New Mexico, there are two Medicaid programs that cover children and teenagers. They are called New MexiKids and New MexiTeens.
New MexiKids is no cost of low cost health care coverage for children who are ages 0 to 12. New MexiTeens is the no cost or low cost health care coverage for teens who are between the ages of 13 and 19. Both programs are part of the New Mexico Medicaid program called “Salud!”. In English, “Salud” means “Health”.
In order for a child or teen to be eligible for either New MexiKids or New MexiTeens, he or she must fit within the age limits. The child or teen must be a resident of New Mexico. He or she must also be a citizen of the United States or a permanent legal resident. However, a parent does not necessarily have to be a citizen of the United States in order to apply for coverage for New MexiKids or New MexiTeens for their child.
There are income guidelines that must be met. Families who have a household income that is less than 185% of the federal poverty level can have their child or teen receive health care through New MexiKids or New MexiTeens for no cost. Families who have a household income level that is between 185% to 235% of the federal poverty level can have their child or teen covered for a low co-payment at the time that health care services are provided.
Both the New MexiKids or New MexiTeens programs cover regular check-ups, doctors visits, dental visits, hospital care prescriptions, glasses, hearing aids, and vision exams. It can also cover other medically necessary services.
Image by Christina Xu on Flickr