Beginning July 1, Iowa children will be offered guaranteed-issue health insurance once again with no need to be on a parent’s plan. Families may begin applying for this coverage now, but the deadline to obtain coverage is Aug. 14.

Last year, the Iowa Insurance Division created an open enrollment period for “child-only” policies to ensure all children would receive adequate insurance, even if they or their parents have serious health problems. The 2012 enrollment period will be from July 1 through Aug. 14 and will continue for another year, ending after the summer of 2013.

In 2014, health reform laws will allow all families to purchase guaranteed-issue, child-only policies at any time.