How do I know if my children are eligible (if they can join)?
How soon after I apply will I know if my children are eligible?
What are some of the benefits (services) children can get from Healthy Families?
How much does Healthy Families cost?
How can I save money on Healthy Families?
Do I get to choose my children's health plan?
How do I pick a health plan?
What if my child doesn't qualify for Healthy Families? Is there other health coverage I can get?
Does my child have to be a U.S. citizen to join Healthy Families?
I am self-employed. How do I show proof of income?
What income does not count?
Can my children join Healthy Families even if I don't live in California?
Do children have to live in the same home as the applicant in order to enroll?
Do I have to stay in the same plan year after year?
What if I don't like the plan we're in? Can I switch plans?
What if I have a disagreement with the Healthy Families program or my health plan?
Do I apply just once, or do I have to re-apply every year?
Can I sign up my newborn baby?

How do I know if my children are eligible (if they can join)?
Children in Healthy Families must live in California and:

• Be age 18 or younger.
• Not be eligible for no-cost Medi-Cal.
• Live in families with incomes not higher than 250% of Federal Income Guidelines.
• Live in families without health insurance from an employer for the past three months.
• Meet citizenship or immigration requirements.

back to top

How soon after I apply will I know if my children are eligible?
Healthy Families will send you an answer in 10 days or less after they get your application, as long as your application is complete.

back to top

What are some of the benefits (services) children can get from Healthy Families?

• Hospital care when it is medically necessary.
• Care from doctors, including surgeons.
• Prescription drugs.
• Well Child services to prevent disease.
• Family planning (birth control).
• Mental health care.
• Alcohol and drug treatment service.
• Physical, speech and occupational therapy.
• Lab and X-ray services.
• Dental care.
• Eye care.

back to top

How much does Healthy Families cost?
Members pay a premium ( bill ) each month. It costs $4 to $15 for each child, or no more than $45 for a family. Members also pay a co-payment (usually $5) when they go to the doctor or get other services. Some services are free.

back to top

How can I save money on Healthy Families?
You can choose the Community Provider Plan. It is the least expensive plan in your area. It offers the same services as the more expensive plans. You can also save by paying premiums three months at a time (You Receive the 4^th month free), or by paying with electronic fund transfer.

back to top

Do I get to choose my children's health plan?
Yes. You choose one of the plans that is offered in the county where you live.

back to top

How do I pick a health plan?
Look at descriptions of the plans offered in your county. The plans are similar but not exactly the same. You can see what your choices are and how much the plans cost. The page about your county also has information that can help you pick the best plan for your family.

back to top

What if my child doesn't qualify for Healthy Families? Is there other health coverage I can get?

• If your income is below the limit for Healthy Families, you may quality for no-cost Medi-Cal. You can let Healthy Families send your application to the county office near you to find out if you quality for Medi-Cal.
• If your income is above the limit for Healthy Families, there may be other programs you can use. Please complete the short application form on this website and one of our staff members will call you within 1-2 business days.

back to top

Does my child have to be a U.S. citizen to join Healthy Families?

• No. Children joining Health Families must be one of these:
• A U.S. citizen. A U.S. non-citizen national.

For insurance plan information in your language: All plans have some information in Spanish, and many plans have information in several languages other than English.

back to top

I am self-employed. How do I show proof of income?
Your "net profit" is what determines your income for Healthy Families. Check your 1040 federal tax return, Schedule C, or your quarterly profit/loss statement.

back to top

What income does not count?

• You can't count income from these sources:
• SSI/SSP payments
• Foster care payment
• CalWORKS (AFDC replacement)
• General Relief payment
• Grants/scholarships used for school
• Earnings from a job of a child under 14 years old or who attends school
• Some government benefit payments
• Loans
• College work study
• Please check with your local county welfare office for more detailed information.

back to top

Can my children join Healthy Families even if I don't live in California?
Yes, but your children (the children you are applying for) must live in California.

back to top

Do children have to live in the same home as the applicant in order to enroll?
No, but only the income of the household where the child lives can be used to determine eligibility.

back to top

Do I have to stay in the same plan year after year?
No. Once a year you can change plans or add members to your plan. You do this during Open Enrollment, which is from April 15 to May 31.

back to top

What if I don't like the plan we're in? Can I switch plans?
Yes. You can change plans in the first three months after joining Healthy Families.

back to top

What if I have a disagreement with the Healthy Families program or my health plan?
You can appeal a decision (ask that the decision be reconsidered) if you think Healthy Families was wrong about:

• Your eligibility (whether you can join).
• The date your coverage should start.
• Dis-enrollment (being taken out of Healthy Families).

Healthy Families has steps you must follow to appeal a decision. You can also appeal decisions from your health plan. Your plan has steps you can follow to do that.

back to top

Do I apply just once, or do I have to re-apply every year?

Once a year Healthy Families will make sure your children still qualify for (can be members of) the program. This is called the Annual Eligibility Review (AER). If you still qualify, you can stay in Healthy Families for at least another year, until the next AER.

back to top

Can I sign up my newborn baby?
Yes. You may apply as early as three months before the baby is due. Read "If you are pregnant" for more information.

back to top