New York State has a health insurance plan for children, called Child Health Plus. Depending on your family's income, your child may be eligible to join either Children's Medicaid or Child Health Plus.
To be eligible for Child Health Plus, children must be under the age of 19 and be residents of New York State. Children who are not eligible for Medicaid can enroll in Child Health Plus if they don't already have health insurance and are not eligible for coverage under the public employees' state health benefits plan. Some children who were covered by employer-based health insurance within the past six months may be subject to a waiting period before they can be enrolled in Child Health Plus. Determining whether your child is subject to a waiting period will depend on your household income and the reason your child(ren) lost employer-based coverage.
How do I apply?
In Erie County, you can apply for Children's Medicaid through the Erie County Department of Social Services. The participating insurers/enrollers listed below can help you apply for Children's Medicaid or Child Health. 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:
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://www.fideliscare.org/
Independent Health
511 Farber Lane Dr.
Buffalo, NY 14221
(716) 631-3001
http://www.independenthealth.com
The participating community enrollers can assist you in applying for either Children's Medicaid or Child Health Plus. They will help you fill out the application, collect the necessary documents, and select a health plan.
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 website:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/chplus-1/htm