Pennsylvania CHIPS Program
What Is CHIP?
CHIP is short for the Children's Health Insurance Program - Pennsylvania's program to provide health insurance to all uninsured children and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance. There are a lot of reasons kids might not have health insurance - maybe their parents lost a job, don't have health insurance at work or maybe it just costs too much. Whatever the reason, CHIP may be able to help.
Okay, so what's Cover All Kids?
Cover All Kids is the initiative that lead to the expansion of the CHIP program. Now, all uninsured children and teens in the commonwealth who are not eligible for Medical Assistance have access to affordable, comprehensive health care coverage. Now, no family makes too much money for CHIP. It's the same great program, now available to all families.
I thought CHIP was only for low-income families?
Parents may think their kids can't get CHIP because they make too much money. Not true! CHIP covers all uninsured kids and teens up to age 19 who are not eligible for Medical Assistance. No family makes too much money for CHIP because there is no income limit.
What's the cost for CHIP coverage?
For many families, it's free. Families with incomes above the free CHIP limits will pay low monthly premiums and co-pays for some services.
Who offers CHIP insurance coverage?
CHIP is administered by private health insurance companies that are licensed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department and have contracts with the commonwealth to offer CHIP coverage. To find out who offers CHIP in your county, please call 1-866-859-6167.
How long is my child covered once they are enrolled in CHIP?
Once enrolled, children are guaranteed 12 months of CHIP coverage unless they no longer meet the basic eligibility requirements. Families must renew their coverage every year in order for the coverage to continue. CHIP insurance companies send renewal notices 90 days before their benefits are going to end, and families must fill out and send the renewal information back to their CHIP insurance company in order for benefits to continue.
CHIP Covers All Your Needs
With CHIP, your children are guaranteed to receive comprehensive insurance coverage, including:
- Doctor Visits
- Hospital Care
- Immunizations
- Laboratory Tests and X-rays
- Emergency Care
- Eyeglasses
- Prescription Drugs
- Dental Services
- Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Services
- Rehabilitation Therapies
- Maternity Care
- Family Planning
How to Apply?
We encourage everyone give us a call. The process of applying for the CHIPS program can be a liitle tough. We will send someone out to help you apply to cut down on guesswork.1-866-859-6167
