Children’s health insurance program to offer two options

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 1998 | 9:14 a.m.

More than 3,400 children have already been approved for the Nevada Check Up program, designed to provide health care to children of low-income working parents. Parents of these children will get enrollment packages in mid-September.

The package that will go to the parents of children already found eligible will include information about the managed-care providers. Parents must choose a provider and pay their premiums by Sept. 25 to be enrolled by Oct. 1.

The two managed-care plans in southern Nevada are Nevada Care and Health Plan of Nevada. Providers for other counties will be announced next week, the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy says.

Nevada Check Up will offer low-cost health insurance for families with income up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which is now about $32,900 for a family of four.

A small premium will be charged to families amounting to between $10 and $50 every three months. No copayments will be required. Health care benefits will include physician care, hospitalization, prescription drugs, vision, hearing, x-rays, dental and other medically necessary services.

Applications are available throughout the state at more than 300 locations, including Family Resource Centers, New Baby Centers, libraries and many county and state social services agencies and health clinics.

To get an application by mail, call 1-800-360-6044.