Children need health coverage as much as adults do. While there are several health policies for adults and retired persons, a health policy was introduced in 1997 keeping in mind the American children.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) gives funds to states to provide health coverage to children. While those with a low income were already covered by Medicaid, under the CHIP, families with children who cannot afford private care, but whose income is too high to qualify for Medicaid are targeted. It was signed into law in 1997 and almost all states have extended this program. The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) reauthorized CHIP in April 2009 and the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) made a few changes to the program and strengthened the program. With the introduction of this program, child insurance expanded all over the states. Millions of children are enrolled with CHIP today.
Who Can Apply for CHIP and How?
Firstly, to be eligible for the program you need to be a permanent resident and apply in the state of your residence. Besides this, you need to meet the following guidelines to be eligible to apply for CHIP.
You should either be eighteen years old or be a primary caregiver who has a child of eighteen years or younger. A parent, grandparent, guardian, or any authorized representative can apply for the program on behalf of the child. Children up to the age of 19 will qualify for CHIP.
You should be a US citizen or national. In case you are an immigrant or non-citizen, you should be legally admitted to the country. Some states use CHIP to cover children regardless of their immigration status. You should be uninsured and be ineligible for Medicaid. Also, you should not be covered by any marketplace insurance.
You need to meet an annual income criterion that depends on the family size. States have different income limits. New registrants can apply for CHIP over the phone. There’s a contact number on the state official website where you can reach out for enrolling. You can also apply by mail or in person. There’s an online application on the state website which can either be downloaded and applied over mail or can be applied online. If none of these options work for you, you can simply visit your state CHIP agency and apply in person.
There is no enrollment period for one to apply for the program. You can apply at any time. Most states offer CHIP coverage for families for twelve months, so you need to reapply after twelve months. Check with your state agency the rules and limitations before you apply. Your coverage will start as soon as you are verified.
Know the Benefits of CHIP
The federal government gives states permission to design their own CHIP model based on the original structure. So the benefits are different in each state. But, most states provide a comprehensive package that includes: regular check-ups, immunization, doctor visits, prescriptions, dental and vision care, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, laboratory and x-ray services, and emergency services.
While the routine check-ups and dental visits are usually free in all states, you might need to pay a certain fee for the other services. The amount that an individual needs to pay also depends on the monthly income of the family. While it can be completely free for some, other states also charge a monthly premium for the coverage or an initial fee. The cost is different for each state. The rest of the cost will be covered by the government.
Age-appropriate vaccines are also provided by CHIP. All children under Medicaid and CHIP will get a state-sponsored vaccine at the required age. You can contact your state CHIP agency if you need to find out the pharmacies and health centers that accept CHIP enrollment cards. The information can be found on the CHIP state agency website as well. There is a phone number on your eligibility letter and also on the back of the enrolment card. All details including the health plan you are under, the providers that come under CHIP, and other details can be found with them.
Besides the children’s health CHIP also encourages maternal health. So, states can support pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy through this program. There’s also a CHIP ‘unborn child’ package under which states should protect the mother and the child. It is mandatory for all states to provide a maternal package to all families earning up to a certain percentage of the federal poverty level (FPL). Most states have made it optional after the said percentage. Since the health of a mother and the child are interrelated, this coverage is helpful for many pregnant women and their newborns.
Quality healthcare may not be affordable for everyone. Therefore, CHIP with its different health packages is quite an inclusive health program for US residents. If you are planning to apply for your family, make sure you head to the official website of the CHIP agency for your state to check if you qualify for the program. If you do, make sure you apply right away because insured health will go a long way toward raising children that are healthy.
How to Get Support on Phone
For queries on new applications, you can call 1-800-318-2596. To learn more on CHIP programs available in your state, you can dial 1-877-543-7669 or 1-877-KIDS-NOW. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that administers the program has its headquarters at 200 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20201. The CHIP programs in Alabama, Arizona, California, Dist. of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and other states have their own support. You can contact the local state agency for more information.
