Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

If your children need health coverage, they may be eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). If they qualify, you won’t have to buy an insurance plan to cover them.

CHIP provides low-cost health coverage to children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid. In some states, CHIP covers pregnant women. Each state offers CHIP coverage, and works closely with its state Medicaid program.

URL:  https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/childrens-health-insurance-program/

Call:  1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325)

Apply:  https://www.healthcare.gov/create-account

 

See if your children qualify and apply for CHIP

Each state program has its own rules about who qualifies for CHIP. You can apply right now, any time of year, and find out if you qualify. If you apply for Medicaid coverage to your state agency, you’ll also find out if your children qualify for CHIP.

 

What CHIP covers

CHIP benefits are different in each state. But all states provide comprehensive coverage, including:

• Routine check-ups
• Immunizations
• Doctor visits
• Prescriptions
• Dental and vision care
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
• Laboratory and X-ray services
• Emergency services

States may provide more CHIP benefits. Check with your state for information about covered services.

What CHIP costs

Routine “well child” doctor and dental visits are free under CHIP. But there may be copayments for other services. Some states charge a monthly premium for CHIP coverage. The costs are different in each state, but you won’t have to pay more than 5% of your family’s income for the year.