Question

DOES IT REALLY MATTER HOW WE DEFINE FAMILIES? WHY OR WHY NOT?

FOR EXAMPLE, DOES IT REALLY MATTER HOW WE DEFINE FAMILY WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTHCARE BENEFITS (MEDICAL AND DENTAL INSURANCE) FOR EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES? WHY?

DOES IT REALLY MATTER HOW WE DEFINE FAMILY WHEN IT COMES TO GOVERNMENT’S SUBSIDY PROGRAMS SUCH AS “WIC” AND “FREE AND REDUCED MEAL”? WHY?

Answer 1

(a) Yes , it really does matter how we define famiies in group health Insurance or an employee insurance rewarded by the employer, because,

Family Members covered under a Group Health Insurance may vary from one Insurer To another.

Some insurance covers Legal Spouse, Legal and Dependent Children, Legal and Dependent Sibling,Dependent parents or in-laws.

Some insurance policies covers Parents under 60 only if they are dependent .

Some insurance policy may or may not cover Siblings

Hence it is very important to read the insurance policy. As,the coverage of the definition may vary.

(b) WIC is a special Supplemental nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children, It provides nutrition and Healthcare to Low income Pregnant Women,Breast Feeding Women, Infants under the age of 5.

The basic elegibility is the basic Family income is below 185% of federal poverty Level.

Children in Households with income below 130% of federal poverty level is eligible for free meals

and families with income above 130% but below 185% can have reduced price meal that is they can be charged not more than 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch.