Washington's state medical insurance program helps safeguard children's health.
According to the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, as many as 75,000 children in the state do not have health insurance coverage. The Apple Health for Kids is an initiative to provide medical care for qualified children. The initiative also provides a streamlined application process to make it easier for families to find the needed assistance. The program is open to both citizens and non-citizens.
Income Eligibility
Eligibility for the Apple Health for Kids program is based on income and family size. If your income is less than twice the federal poverty level, your coverage is free. If your income is between 2 and 2.5 times the federal poverty level, you would pay a premium of $20 per month for each child. If your income is less than three times but greater than 2.5 times the federal poverty level, your monthly premium would be $30 per child. You only pay premiums on the first two children in your family.
Income Qualifications for Free Insurance
If there are two people in the family, they can earn up to $2,429 per month and still qualify for free coverage for the children. Families with three individuals can earn as much as $3,052 per month, and families of four can earn as much as $3,675 per month. If there are five people in the family, the income limit is $4,299 for free coverage, and each additional family member increases the limit by $624 per month.
Income Qualifications for Coverage Requiring Monthly Premiums
For coverage requiring a $20 per month premium per child, the monthly income limits are $3,036 for a family of two, $3,815 for three, $4,594 for four and $5,373 for five. Families of six or more should add $780 per child to the limit for a family of five. To qualify for coverage that requires a $30 per month premium, the limits are $3,643 for a family of two, $4,578 for three, $5,513 for four and $6,448 for five. If the family has six or more members, add $935 per additional child to the limit for a family of five.
Covered Services
Apple Health for Kids covers doctor's visits, hospitalization, prescriptions, immunizations and emergency room or urgent care treatment. Dental, vision, speech and occupational therapy and home health services are included.
Application Process
You can download an application at the Department of Social and Health Services' website or obtain a form from your local DSHS office. After you complete the application, mail it to the address shown on the form.
Tags: Apple Health, Apple Health Kids, federal poverty, federal poverty level, Health Kids
