Birth Certificates

Applying for Health Insurance:

      If you are eligible to add your child to your employer's health insurance plan, you should notify your Human Resources department prior to the birth of your baby.  The enrollment application should be completed immediately after the birth of your baby and returned to the employer within one week of the baby's birth.  Although most health insurance carriers give families 30 days to add a newborn to an insurance policy, it generally takes time to process the paperwork.  Having the baby added to the policy right away will help to prevent unexpected hospital and doctor bills.

      If you do not have health insurance available through an employer, children in New York State, under the age of 19, are eligible for coverage.  Depending on your financial status, your baby could be placed on either a Medicaid managed care plan or Child Health Plus.  This process takes longer than enrollment in private health insurance.  Parents should contact the Department of Social Services in county in which they reside and request an enrollment application as soon as they know they are expecting.

      If you are expecting and have questions about this process, you can call our billing department for further suggestions or assistance.