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| Family and Health Insurance |
 If your ex-spouse and you have different types of health plans, the rules are also different. If your ex has an individual plan and you have a group health plan, the group plan pays first, regardless of the birthday rule. Sometimes the divorce court stipulates how your children will be covered.
Question
How can we provide health insurance for our kids when we just can't afford to pay the premiums?
Answer
Your children might be eligible for health insurance through a joint federal-state program called the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
CHIP is organized to provide coverage for children whose parents, for whatever reason, can't afford health insurance but make too much money to qualify for existing welfare programs. CHIP is established by matching federal and state funds and administered by each state separately. Income eligibility requirements and covered benefits vary by state. Some states don't have CHIP plans but might run other insurance programs for qualifying children.
Question
I run my own business, and I'm worried what will happen to my family if I develop a serious illness or become disabled. How can I protect my family?
Answer
You're right to be concerned. Usually, people in their prime working years are more likely to become disabled than to die. One good way to protect you, your family, and even your business, depending on your personal circumstances, is to buy disability insurance.
In fact, disability insurance provides "backup" income if you are temporarily out of work. You can buy coverage for a variety of illnesses or injuries, or exclude specific injuries, such as a bad back. Most disability plans are pretty flexible.
Disability coverage for self-employed individuals is based on your type of employment, and the costs will range. Besides, the type of business you have may limit the benefits available or make coverage difficult to obtain in some cases.
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