One of the most pressing concerns for most parents is that their children have access to quality health care. Many children in America receive health care coverage through their family’s health insurance plan. These policies are either provided as a benefit from their parent’s employer or purchased outright by their parents. With the multitude of health insurance providers and a large variety of plans available, searching for appropriate children’s health insurance plans can be just as perplexing as those available to adults. When trying to decide which policy to choose, the key elements of coverage and cost should be taken into consideration.

Coverage

The extent of medical services covered in a children’s health insurance plan is the most important consideration parents should make when choosing a plan. Although slight variations among plans are to be expected, most all of them will cover Physician visits, hospital visits, prescription drugs, dental and orthodontic care, and vision needs. Physician visits include routine check-ups and referral appointments for more specific care from medical specialists. Dental coverage often includes visits to the dentist for routine dental care and can also cover orthodontic needs, such as braces, with some plans. Vision coverage could include visits to an optometrist as well as glasses or contact lenses that may be prescribed. Certain plans may also cover specific cosmetic procedures, such as facial reconstruction, that result from serious accidents.

Most plans will offer coverage up to a certain dollar amount or a specified length of time. For example, the plan you choose might cover up to $20,000 in hospital expenses following a single accident, with up to a total of $80,000 per year. Other plan may allow you get new glasses or contact lenses every other year.

» Read more: What to Look For in a Children’s Health Insurance Plan