Finding low-cost health insurance for children is a priority for anyone with a child. We will discuss many options in this article, the most popular of which is the Child Health Insurance Plan (CHIP). CHIP provides health insurance for millions of low-income children who do not meet Medicaid standards. The future of the chip has always been a topic of concern. However, in January 2018, Congress passed a four-year chip extension, and then in February 2018, it was extended for another six years, allowing the chip project to continue for at least another 10 years. 

Although the plan's funding is still at risk, Congress has not yet passed a proposal to cut the plan. Medicaid and chip coverage cover a total of 36 million children, of which the chip covers about 6 million children's health care. These two joint programs help families get their children's health care and keep the uninsured rate of American children low. 95% of American children are insured because of programs like Medicaid and Child Health Insurance (CHIP).

CHIP qualification

The eligibility of the chip is usually determined by the household income level and the national standard of the project. However, in general, in addition to meeting the revenue thresholds established in your state, these are the normal qualifications for the chip:

• Children whose family income exceeds the entire family or child eligible for Medicaid
• Low-income pregnant woman
• Children of state employees

CHIP considers the following factors when viewing eligibility:

• Annual household income
• How many people are there at home?

Federal poverty levels and specific cost of living and chip standards in your state. For example, most states have household incomes that are at least 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL): in 2018, a family of three is $41,560 a year, but the situation varies from state to state. You can view information about each state here.

3 ways to apply for CHIP

You can apply for CHIP in the following ways:

• Call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325)
• Submit your application online through the health insurance market. If you are eligible to apply for Medicaid or CHIP, they will notify you when you complete your application.
• By completing a Medicaid application, you can apply by checking the link here and selecting your status.

When can you apply for a chip?

CHIP has no registration period. Unlike other health insurance, you don't have to wait for an open registration, you can apply at any time based on the chip information of healthcare.gov.

How long does it take you to know if you are qualified to be a chip?

Usually, you can find out if you are eligible for the chip within 24 hours.

What is the difference between CHIP and Child Financial Assistance?

Child Medicaid serves children in low-income and poor families, while CHIP provides insurance for families with incomes above the poverty level. This requirement varies from state to state, but many states will allow incomes that exceed 200% of the poverty level, so CHIP provides more children with access to care. Learn more about the difference between child care and chip coverage.

What does the chip include?

Each state has a different chip coverage option, where you can check the status of your state.

When you have a chip, do you need to pay for the service?

Even if you have a chip, in some states, there are cost-sharing for certain treatments or drugs for children covered by chips or Medicaid.
Preventive services are usually included. However, you may be required to pay for some out-of-pocket expenses, including co-payments or deductibles for non-preventive care, such as emergency room visits, or non-emergency use in emergency rooms, hospital care, and prescription drugs. You may also need to pay for a non-preventive general practitioner's visit. For example, if your child is infected with a virus, this is not a preventive visit, so it may be in a category that you may need to pay.