The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides low-cost health coverage to children in families that earn above the annual cap for Medicaid.¹

CHIP’s annual funding expired on September 30, 2017 and required congressional reauthorization.² It took 114 days following its expiration for congress to reach a reauthorization decision, electing to extend the program for another six years. Additionally, Congress enhanced the federal matching rate (around 15%) for CHIP to incentivize states to expand their programs.³

Eligible participants in the program don’t pay more than 5% of their household’s annual income, allowing many low-income patients to receive access to drugs for which they may have faced financial obstacles in obtaining them.¹

Each state program has its own qualifications and specifications regarding CHIP in compliance with Federal guidelines. Applications may be submitted year round, and eligible Medicaid applicants with children are automatically considered for CHIP.¹

Over 80.5 million people are enrolled in CHIP across the United States.⁴

While each state has a tailored CHIP program, they all include routine check-ups, immunization, doctor visits, prescriptions, dental and vision care, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, laboratory and X-ray services and emergency services. In some states, CHIP covers pregnant women.¹

1. Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Eligibility Requirements. HealthCare.gov. https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/childrens-health-insurance-program/.

2. Wynne B. The Arduous Road to Renewal of CHIP Funding. CHCF Blog. 2018. https://www.chcf.org/blog/chip-funding/. Medicaid & CHIP – KFF. KFF. https://www.kff.org/state-category/medicaid-chip/.

3. Financing | Medicaid. Medicaid.gov. https://www.medicaid.gov/chip/financing/index.html.