CHIP — Children's Health Insurance Program
A federal-state partnership that provides low-cost health insurance to children in families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford.
Official source: medicaid.gov
The Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, helps families get affordable health insurance for their kids. It's a program run by both the national government and each state. It's for families who make too much money to get Medicaid but can't afford private health insurance.
In most states, children can get CHIP if their family earns up to two or three times the Federal Poverty Level. This means families with incomes around $50,000 to $75,000 for a family of four might qualify, depending on the state. CHIP covers important things like regular doctor visits, shots, medicines, dental care, and eye care. Some states even offer CHIP to pregnant women.
A good thing about CHIP is that you can sign up for it at any time of year; there are no special enrollment periods. One important thing to know is that CHIP rules, like income limits and what services are covered, can be a little different from state to state. So, it's best to check with your state's health department to see exactly what your family qualifies for.
In real life
- A family with a low income worries about their child getting sick. But they make too much money for Medicaid. So they sign up for CHIP to help pay for the child's doctor visits and medicine.
- Someone's job does not offer health insurance. Their child can get low-cost health insurance through CHIP. This helps the child see a doctor if they get sick.
- A parent works a part-time job. They cannot afford to buy health insurance for their child. CHIP helps their child get the healthcare they need.
Also known as
Take the next step
Frequently asked questions about CHIP
What is Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)?+
A federal-state partnership that provides low-cost health insurance to children in families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. In most states, children in families earning up to 200%-300% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible.
Who qualifies for CHIP?+
→ CHIP enrollment is year-round with no enrollment period restrictions.
How do I apply for CHIP?+
Apply through your state Medicaid agency (find yours at medicaid.gov) or through healthcare.gov.
Where can I get help?+
Apply through your state Medicaid agency (links at medicaid.gov) or use BenefitKarma's Find Benefits tool to see if you qualify in your state.
Source: medicaid.gov