State Expands Health Coverage For Children

By STEPHEN SILVER (Patch Staff)

Gov. Tom Wolf has announced plans to expand the benefits offered under the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program.

The changes, going into effect Dec. 1, will “ meet the minimum essential coverage requirements of the federal Affordable Care Act,” the governor’s office announced Wednesday. These include, the office said, “prohibition on annual and lifetime dollar limitations for specific services classified as essential health benefits, including durable medical equipment, hearing aids, pediatric vision and dental service, including orthodontic services.”

“Currently, only CHIP policies where the families pay the entire cost of the premiums must meet these enhanced benefit requirements,” Gov. Wolf said in a statement.

“However, I believe it is important that all Pennsylvania children have access to the best health care possible, and so I am implementing this requirement to provide enhanced benefits for all 148,000 Pennsylvania children covered by CHIP. We cannot leave our children’s health insurance coverage to the whims of Washington and that’s why Commissioner Miller and I worked to ensure all CHIP plans meet federal minimum coverage requirements.”