Child Health Plus and vaccinations. Is this routine?

[gbailey]

...

Edited by gbailey - 4/1/11 at 12:40pm

[emma1325]

Have you checked Health Plus's website to see if they have a policy on vaccinations? I ask because sometimes certain government programs want to make it *seem* like you have to get the shots to qualify, but you really don't. For example, WIC and Medicaid, I believe, do not require shots but often ask for shot records.

[yarngoddess]

I don't have an answer about your specific question. However I'm on public assistance and it IS a major pain in the a**. Having said that, once you fill out the paperwork, turn in all your "required" info, I haven't had to deal with anyone. They leave me alone.

When we applied for Medi-Cal and Welfare I was required to bring in their immunization cards as well and I printed out the school exemption form and signed it as requred by law (i also had the law quoted on the bottom of my letter of exemption) and brought that in instead of their card. What's the point of a blank card? They weren't happy, but I don't care. If you are following the law regarding exemptions they have NO room to question you- and make sure you are very clear "I have complied with the LAW regarding this exemption. I hope that's not a problem here." kind of conversations.

Good luck to you

[gbailey]

Originally Posted by emma1325

Have you checked Health Plus's website to see if they have a policy on vaccinations? I ask because sometimes certain government programs want to make it *seem* like you have to get the shots to qualify, but you really don't. For example, WIC and Medicaid, I believe, do not require shots but often ask for shot records.

Thanks. I just called the NY State number on the department of health's website and was told that I do not have to provide an immunization card only if we were using that as identification but I told the woman I initially spoke to that DD has a passport and birth certificate. The woman I spoke to from the State says what happens with immunizations is between the parents and the doctor and whether I decide to delay or not vaccinate at all is between us and the doctor and does not effect DD's health insurance at all. Thanks for giving me the advice to call. The woman was so nice. She even told me I don't have to bother going to an HIP office because I can mail in the paper work directly to the state. She told me if I have the paper work in by the 20th of the month DD will have her insurance effective of the 1st of the following month. Thanks for the advice to call. I was really starting to get annoyed. LOL I don't like feeling pressured about things because I get defensive.

[gbailey]

Originally Posted by yarngoddess

I don't have an answer about your specific question. However I'm on public assistance and it IS a major pain in the a**. Having said that, once you fill out the paperwork, turn in all your "required" info, I haven't had to deal with anyone. They leave me alone.

When we applied for Medi-Cal and Welfare I was required to bring in their immunization cards as well and I printed out the school exemption form and signed it as requred by law (i also had the law quoted on the bottom of my letter of exemption) and brought that in instead of their card. What's the point of a blank card? They weren't happy, but I don't care. If you are following the law regarding exemptions they have NO room to question you- and make sure you are very clear "I have complied with the LAW regarding this exemption. I hope that's not a problem here." kind of conversations.

Good luck to you

Thanks! Very sweet of you.

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by gbailey

Thanks. I just called the NY State number on the department of health's website and was told that I do not have to provide an immunization card only if we were using that as identification but I told the woman I initially spoke to that DD has a passport and birth certificate. The woman I spoke to from the State says what happens with immunizations is between the parents and the doctor and whether I decide to delay or not vaccinate at all is between us and the doctor and does not effect DD's health insurance at all. Thanks for giving me the advice to call. The woman was so nice. She even told me I don't have to bother going to an HIP office because I can mail in the paper work directly to the state. She told me if I have the paper work in by the 20th of the month DD will have her insurance effective of the 1st of the following month. Thanks for the advice to call. I was really starting to get annoyed. LOL I don't like feeling pressured about things because I get defensive.

So glad it worked out well for you!!

[Marnica]

What are they going to put DH and I in some system of parents who don't vaccinate?

...

no but your child is already in the NYC vaccine registry I would assume (if your child was born in a hospital) since there is no opt out for NY and NYC has their own registry.