Vermont Dr. Dynasaur Health Coverage for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Dr. Dynasaur Covers Children Living With Relatives

Vermont's Dr. Dynasaur program, administered by the Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) under Green Mountain Care, provides free or low-cost health coverage for children under age 19 in households with income below 312% of the federal poverty level. If you're a grandparent or relative raising a child, this program can cover the child's medical, dental, and mental health care.

The good news: you don't need to be the child's legal guardian to apply. A relative caregiver can apply on behalf of a child who lives in their home.

How to Apply

You can apply through Vermont Health Connect online, by phone, or by submitting a paper application (Form 205ALLMED). The application asks for the child's information and household details. If the child is the applicant and you are signing because the applicant is a minor who needs help applying, complete the signature section for a person signing on the child's behalf.

The application asks for the child's Social Security number if they are applying for health coverage; it says some applicants without an SSN do not have to get one to apply. It also asks for date of birth and information about any other health coverage. If you do not have all the requested information, submit the signed application and the agency will follow up. Your household income will be evaluated, but since many kinship arrangements involve grandparents on fixed incomes — Social Security, SSDI, pensions — the income threshold is generous enough that most qualify.

If the child is already enrolled in Dr. Dynasaur from their parent's application, you may need to update the child's address and household information to reflect that they're living with you.

Insurance Does Not Equal Consent

This is the critical point that trips up many caregivers: enrolling a child in Dr. Dynasaur and having their insurance card in your wallet does not give you authority to consent to medical treatment.

Presenting a child's insurance card at a clinic satisfies the billing question. It does not satisfy the consent question. Healthcare providers must still obtain informed consent from a legal parent or court-appointed guardian for non-emergency treatment. You can get the child covered financially, but you may still need a parent's written authorization or formal legal authority before a doctor will examine them.

What Dr. Dynasaur Covers

Dr. Dynasaur coverage is comprehensive. It includes well-child visits and preventive care, immunizations, specialist visits, hospital care, prescription medications, dental care (including orthodontia in some cases), mental health and substance use treatment, vision care, and hearing services.

There are no premiums for children in households below 195% FPL. Above that threshold, modest premiums may apply but coverage remains available up to 312% FPL.

Navigating the Pharmacy

One practical bright spot: you can pick up prescriptions for the child at any retail pharmacy as long as insurance is verified and the prescription is on file. The pharmacy doesn't require you to prove legal authority — they verify the prescription and the insurance, and dispense the medication.

Connecting Insurance to Consent Authority

The most effective approach is to get Dr. Dynasaur coverage and the medical consent question sorted at the same time. While you apply for insurance, also prepare a notarized parent authorization letter covering medical treatment, or begin the process of obtaining a power of attorney or guardianship if the parent isn't available.

Having both the insurance card and the consent documentation means you can walk into any Vermont pediatric office and handle the visit from start to finish.

Get the Full Healthcare Navigation Guide

Our Vermont School and Medical Consent Guide covers both the insurance and consent sides in detail. It includes a medical visit preparation sheet, guidance on what happens when a provider refuses your informal authorization, and the complete minor self-consent matrix showing when a child can consent to their own care independently. For help with your Dr. Dynasaur application, Vermont Kin as Parents (802-871-5104) can walk you through the process.

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