Want to buy an individual health plan for your child? Don’t wait. You must enroll by Saturday, April 30 or wait for the next enrollment period, Sept. 15-Oct. 31.

“I urge people who want insurance for their kids to apply by April 30,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “The next open-enrollment period is Sept. 15-Oct. 31. If you experience difficulty or have questions, call our Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-562-6900.”

The open enrollment periods apply to all health plans in the individual market. People buying individual coverage don’t have access to employer-sponsored health plans or their employer doesn’t cover dependents.

New consumer protections under federal health reform prevent health insurers from denying coverage to children with pre-existing health conditions.  However, just like employer health plans, the individual plans can create open-enrollment periods. During these times, children under age 19 do not have to complete a health questionnaire and cannot be denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition.

If you need a health plan for your children outside of the enrollment dates, you can apply either to the Washington State Health Insurance Pool (WSHIP), or if you qualify, to the new Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP-WA). To enroll in PCIP-WA, you must have been uninsured for at least six months and have a pre-existing medical condition.