KING COUNTY, WA - During Public Health Week, Public Health - Seattle & King County is urging families to enroll eligible children and teens for free and low-cost health insurance. The application process is quick and easy.
"Healthy children are a cornerstone of healthy communities," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health -Seattle & King County. "In King County, approximately 18,000 children and teens are eligible to receive free health insurance but currently are not enrolled. We must enroll all eligible young people."
"Children's insurance covers all doctor and clinic visits, hospitalizations, and even dental and vision care," said Miriam Gray, Public Health's Access and Outreach Coordinator. "Best of all, the application process takes only about 15 minutes."
Eligibility depends on family income and size. For example, a family of four can make up to $2,942 a month and apply for the free children's insurance or up to $3,678 a month for the low-cost insurance ($10 a month).
Public Health has application and outreach workers that help families sign up for state-sponsored insurance (Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, and Basic Health Plan). Application and outreach workers can help people by phone or in person, and they can travel to meet with families in their homes or at community sites.
Outreach and application workers speak a variety of languages (Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Korean and others). Individuals may apply regardless of citizenship.
- To get help signing up for insurance from an outreach or application worker, please call 206-296-4600 and find the Public Health Center nearest you. More information on free and low-cost health insurance is available at www.kingcounty.gov/health/insurance.
- For free and low-cost health insurance, you may also call the Community Health Access Program at 1-800-756-KIDS (5437).
- Adults can apply for low-cost health insurance sponsored by Washington State's Basic Health Plan. Call 1-800-826-2444.
Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health - Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day. |
