Health Insurance. A Priority for Grandparents Raising Grandkids

An increasing number of grandparents are taking on the responsibility of the care and upbringing of their grandchildren. According to Ohio’s Kinship Care program, almost 100,000 grandparents in Ohio are raising their grandchildren today. How to secure health insurance for their grandkids is a major concern for many.

The options for health insurance for a grandchild will depend on a number of factors, including the legal status of their relationship and whether the grandparent has employer provided health insurance.

What is your legal relationship?

Caregiving arrangements can range from informal to judicially ordered. However, if a grandparent does not have legal guardianship or custody of their grandchild, it is likely to be more complicated to obtain medical insurance for the child. In addition, if a grandparent claims a grandchild as a dependent on his or her federal income tax return, they are responsible for obtaining health insurance for that child. The penalty for not insuring a dependent grandchild can be costly. 

Is employer provided health insurance available?

If a grandparent has employer provided insurance, their first step should be to contact their human resource department and health insurance company to find out whether their grandchildren can be covered under their policy. Proof of legal guardianship may be required in order for your insurance provider to accept him/her as a dependent child. There is no clear cut rule concerning insuring grandchildren.

Other insurance options

Relative caregivers may also apply for free or low-cost health and dental insurance for the children they are raising through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This program provides health coverage to eligible children through both Medicaid and separate CHIP programs. If neither Medicaid nor CHIP is an option, child-only coverage may be available through the government-run Affordable Care marketplace. For information on these and other assistance for grandparents raising grandkids, contact the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, Kinship Care or go to https://jfs.ohio.gov/factsheets/kinshipcare.pdf

If you have other questions on insurance, including life, individual health insurance, Medicare Advantage plans or Medicare Supplements, you can contact me at 440-255-5700 or email your questions to me at Lmutsko@mutskoInsurance.com. I look forward to serving you.