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Children's Buy-in Program

Untitled Document Ohio’s new Children’s Buy-In Program now open for applications. The Children's Buy-In Program (CBI) offers health care coverage for uninsured special-needs children in families with incomes over 300% of the federal poverty level. This program was part of a package of child health expansions passed in Ohio’s 2008-2009 state budget.
Under the program, families earning more than 300% of the federal poverty level with children under the age of 19 can pay a monthly income-based premium for health care coverage. In addition to age and income requirements, children must have been uninsured for at least six months AND meet ONE of the following criteria:

Unable to obtain insurance due to a pre-existing condition;
Lost insurance due to exceeding the lifetime benefit limitation;
Cost of the only available insurance is more than twice the state premium for Children's Buy In; or
The child participates in the Ohio Department of Health's Program for Medically Handicapped Children (also known as BCMH)

The program opened for applications on April 1, 2008. Applications are accepted online only, on a secure Web site. Premiums range between approximately $250 and $500 per month, depending on family income. CareSource, a managed care plan, will administer the benefits under the CBI program.

For more information on CBI, including information on the benefits package and how to apply for this program please follow the links below:

Voices from Ohio’s Children would like to hear about your experience with the Children’s Buy-In program. If you would like to share your story, please go to the Storybanking project .