Grandchildren may not look forward to things like vaccinations - but grandparents know that's an important part of keeping a child healthy. Grandparents have help when it comes to providing health care insurance.

"I run a statewide project and we go out to all the communities throughout all the islands and let grandparents know that this health insurance is available for their grandchildren and we really like to make sure that they call 2-1-1 or go to covering kids.com to get the information," says Barbara Luksch, Hawaii Covering Kids.


Grandparents are often on fixed incomes and a first concern would be the cost of insurance.

"Well, the good news is for the QWEST program which is funded by the state and federal governments, that the grandparents can apply for the grandchildren who are living in their homes. They do not count the grandparents income," she says.

If the grandparents own their home, that is not counted as an asset or income. When parents, for whatever reason, are not involved in the children's lives, the grandparents may be reluctant to report that information. They don't have to.

"And the other good news is you don't have to report an absent parent. So, sometimes the grandparents may be worried about that and so what we're trying to do is get this information out to grandparents raising grandchildren so they have peace of mind."

Grandparents interested in learning more about health insurance for their grandchildren can go on line to Coveringkids.com or by calling 2-1-1.

"They can also get linked to an outreach worker in their geographic area. So if they have some questions about the health insurance, what plans are available and also how to fill out the application, where to mail it."