Health Insurance & Medical Costs · Surprise rank #440
A Child Can Still Enroll in Child Health Plus at Higher Income—But the Premium Changes
Child Health Plus provides comprehensive health coverage for eligible New York children under 19. Lower- and moderate-income families can receive subsidized premiums, while higher-income families may enroll at the full plan premium.
Who
Children under age 19 who live in New York and meet Child Health Plus program rules. Whether coverage is through Medicaid or Child Health Plus depends on the child’s circumstances and household income.
What to do
Start here: Apply through NY State of Health online or by phone and let the marketplace determine whether the child qualifies for Medicaid or Child Health Plus and at what premium level.
Eligibility: The child must generally be under 19 and a New York resident and meet current Child Health Plus rules. Premium assistance is income-based; families above the subsidy range may still be able to enroll by paying the full premium.
What you get
New York’s Child Health Plus program provides health insurance for eligible children, with benefits such as preventive, primary, specialist, hospital, prescription, dental and vision care through participating health plans.
Benefit: For subsidized tiers, the monthly family premium can be $0, $15, $30, $45 or $60 per child depending on household income and family size; at higher income, the family can pay the plan’s full premium. Covered services have no Child Health Plus copayments.
Possible value: Potentially thousands of dollars a year versus buying comparable child coverage without a subsidy. The exact savings depend on income, family size, plan and whether the family pays a subsidized or full premium.
Good to know
Important: “No income ceiling” does not mean coverage is free at every income. Above the subsidy range, the family pays the health plan’s full Child Health Plus premium, which varies by plan. Eligibility rules can also change, so use the current NY State of Health determination.
Availability: Enrollment is available year-round.
Why people miss it: Families who earn too much for free coverage may wrongly assume Child Health Plus disappears entirely instead of shifting to a higher premium tier.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026