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Home > About Us > Policy Areas > Child Health > The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

CHIP is a partnership between the federal government and the states to fund and provide health insurance for children in mostly working families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private coverage. 

All states and the District of Columbia offer health coverage through CHIP and Medicaid.

Who's eligible for CHIP?

States set their own income eligibility levels.  Many states set the maximum CHIP eligibility level at 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), which means children under age 19 in a family of four with an income of up to $40,000 a year may qualify.  Even if your income comes close to this figure, you are encouraged to find out more about your eligibility from your state’s program, which can evaluate your particular situation.

What do children receive once they are enrolled in CHIP?

Benefits vary by state.  Children generally are eligible for: 

• regular checkups 
• immunizations 
• eyeglasses 
• doctor visits 
• prescription drug coverage 
• hospital care

To learn more about CHIP, go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/schip.

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Children's Defense Fund
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