Children´s Health Insurance Program: how much does it cost to receive CHIP?
The cost of healthcare can be prohibitively expensive for some families, but there is low-cost insurance on offer for children who do not qualify for Medicaid.
Families in need of low-cost health coverage who are not able to qualify for Medicaid may be able to get insurance for their kids through the Children's Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP.
If you earn too much to receive Medicaid coverage CHIP is a cheap alternative to regular healthcare policies, but the exact terms of the program vary between states because it is not administered on the federal level.
Accordingly, the price of the coverage differs across the country but there are some areas where the costs are consistent. Routine doctor and dental visits are always free under CHIP, and you will not be charged more than 5% of your family’s annual income.
However some states choose to charge a monthly premium for CHIP coverage and may require copayments for certain services.
What is covered in CHIP healthcare policies?
As mentioned there are certain features that are always covered by CHIP, with all states required to provide a comprehensive package for children. The following is included:
- Routine check-ups
- Immunizations
- Doctor visits
- Prescriptions
- Dental and vision care
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
- Laboratory and X-ray services
- Emergency services
To check exactly what additional coverage is offered in your state the government’s InsureKidsNow online portal lists the options for families in your area.
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Who is eligible to receive healthcare from the Children´s Health Insurance Program?
The exact eligibility requirements for the program are defined by the state in which the coverage is claimed. The coverage can be requested at any point in the year. If you’ve applied for Medicaid coverage from your state’s health authority you should also have been told whether your household is eligible to receive support from CHIP.
- Call 1-800-318-2596 (or TTY: 1-855-889-4325)
- Apply through the federal government’s Health Insurance Marketplace
The Health Insurance Marketplace is an initiative introduced at the federal level which informs claimants of their eligibility for a whole host of healthcare support programs in their state.
If you submit your details on the HealthCare.gov online portal, you will be informed if you qualify for either Medicaid or CHIP support. You will then instructed on how to proceed with your application for the Children's Health Insurance Program.