If you’ve ever worried about how to afford doctor visits, prescriptions, or dental care for your child, you’re far from alone. Healthcare costs can be stressful, especially for families who make too much to qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford private insurance. That’s where CHIP, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, comes in.
CHIP helps provide low-cost or free health insurance for children in families with limited incomes. It’s designed to cover the care kids need to stay healthy, without putting added pressure on already-tight budgets. In this guide, you’ll learn what CHIP is, who qualifies, what it covers, and how to apply.
What Is CHIP?
CHIP is a state-run health insurance program for children. It was created in 1997 to fill the gap between Medicaid and private health insurance, specifically for families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but still struggle to afford medical coverage for their kids.
CHIP is funded jointly by states and the federal government, and it exists in every U.S. state, as well as Washington, D.C., and several territories. While each state runs its own version of CHIP, most offer similar core benefits and eligibility rules.
Some states combine CHIP with Medicaid into a single program, while others run CHIP separately. Either way, the application process is often the same, and many states allow you to apply for both with a single form.
Who Can Get Coverage Through CHIP?
CHIP is for children under 19 whose families meet certain income and residency guidelines. In some states, pregnant women may also qualify for CHIP benefits. To qualify, your child must typically:
- Be under the age of 19
- Be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident
- Live in the state where you’re applying
- Be uninsured (not already covered by another health plan)
- Live in a household that meets CHIP income limits
Income guidelines vary by state, but CHIP generally covers children in families who earn up to 200–300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). That means even middle-income families may qualify, especially if they have multiple children or high medical costs.
What Does CHIP Cover?
CHIP covers a wide range of healthcare services to support children’s physical and mental development. The goal is to keep kids healthy, catch problems early, and treat illnesses without delay. While benefits can vary by state, CHIP commonly covers:
- Routine checkups and well-child visits
- Doctor appointments and sick visits
- Vaccinations and immunizations
- Prescription medications
- Dental care (including cleanings, fillings, and checkups)
- Vision care (including eye exams and glasses)
- Mental health services
- Emergency services
- Hospital care and surgeries
- Lab tests and imaging (like X-rays)
- Specialist care (like dermatology or cardiology)
These benefits help ensure that children have access to not only urgent care but also the preventive services that can keep them healthy in the long run.
How Much Does CHIP Cost?
One of the biggest benefits of CHIP is that it’s designed to be affordable, even for families with limited means. In many states, CHIP is free for lower-income families. Other states charge:
- Small monthly premiums
- Low copayments for certain services, like prescriptions or emergency room visits
Even if your state charges premiums or copays, there are limits to how much you’ll have to pay, and no family will be charged more than 5% of their annual income for CHIP-related costs. There are also no deductibles or out-of-pocket surprises. CHIP is meant to be predictable and manageable.
How to Apply for CHIP
Applying for CHIP is free and can be done at any time of year—there’s no open enrollment window, unlike private insurance. You can apply:
- Online through your state’s CHIP or Medicaid website, where available
- Through HealthCare.gov, which will route your application to your state
- By phone with a local enrollment office
- In person at a local health department, clinic, or assistance agency
- By mail, using a printed application form, where available
You’ll need to provide:
- Basic information about your child (name, age, residency)
- Household size and income (pay stubs, benefit letters, or tax returns)
- Social Security numbers (for U.S. citizens) or immigration documentation
- Information about any current health coverage (if any)
If your child is approved, coverage often starts right away, or may even be backdated to cover recent medical costs.
Can You Have CHIP and Other Insurance?
In most cases, CHIP is only available for uninsured children, meaning they don’t currently have private or employer-based coverage. However, there are exceptions.
Some states allow families to use CHIP as a secondary form of insurance—for example, to cover services that a high-deductible or limited private plan doesn’t cover.
If you’re unsure whether your child is considered “uninsured” based on your current situation, it’s worth calling your state’s CHIP office or submitting an application anyway. You won’t be penalized for applying, and they’ll let you know what options are available.
What Happens If You Don’t Qualify?
If your income is slightly too high for CHIP, your child might still be eligible for coverage through CHIP buy-in programs, which allow families to pay a slightly higher premium to enroll.
And if CHIP isn’t available to you at all, the Health Insurance Marketplace (through HealthCare.gov) offers low-cost coverage with subsidies for families with children. The CHIP application often serves as a screening for other affordable options, so you won’t have to start from scratch.
How Long Does CHIP Coverage Last?
Once your child is enrolled, CHIP coverage generally lasts 12 months, regardless of changes in income or household size. This provides a sense of stability and peace of mind. You’ll need to renew your child’s coverage once a year, which usually involves updating your information and responding to a renewal notice from your state.
If you don’t receive a notice, or if your situation changes before the renewal date, it’s a good idea to contact your state CHIP office to make sure your child stays covered without a gap.
Why CHIP Matters for Your Child’s Future
Good health in childhood lays the foundation for everything that comes later—school performance, emotional development, and overall well-being. Without coverage, families often skip preventive care or wait until problems get worse before seeking help. CHIP helps break that cycle.
It gives your child access to regular checkups, dental cleanings, eye exams, and vaccinations that catch issues early and promote lifelong health. For families, it’s more than just insurance—it’s peace of mind knowing that your child can get care without the added financial stress.
Over time, CHIP has helped reduce the number of uninsured children in the U.S. dramatically, and it continues to be a vital safety net for families across all 50 states.
CHIP Can Help Your Family Breathe Easier
If you’ve been trying to make ends meet while still getting your child to checkups, dental visits, or picking up prescriptions, you shouldn’t have to choose between health and affordability. CHIP gives parents a reliable way to make sure their kids get the care they need to grow up strong and healthy, without going into debt or skipping critical appointments.
It’s easy to apply, affordable to maintain, and available year-round. Even if you’re unsure whether you qualify, it’s worth checking. A few minutes today could make all the difference in your child’s health tomorrow.
