CHIP Expands to Cover ALL Uninsured Children!

Pennsylvania’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) has grown – not by inches, but by children. CHIP now covers all uninsured children and teens (up to age 19), regardless of family income.  It’s the same great program, now available to more uninsured families!

There are more than 133,000 uninsured children in Pennsylvania that now have access to comprehensive health insurance coverage.  All families need to do is apply!  Coverage includes doctor visits, dental care, eye care, prescriptions, immunizations, hospital stays and much more. 

For many families, CHIP is free, with no copays or monthly premiums.  Families with higher incomes may qualify for low-cost or at-cost CHIP, and will have low monthly premiums and copays for some services.  Families whose incomes fall below CHIP guidelines may be eligible for Medical Assistance. 

To qualify for CHIP, children must be Pennsylvania residents under the age of 19; not be eligible for Medical Assistance or other health insurance; and must meet citizenship requirements.

All new applicants whose annual income is above the free CHIP income range cmust also show that their children have been uninsured for six months unless: the children are under two years of age; or the children have lost health insurance because a parent lost their job; or the children are moving from another public insurance program.  This does not apply to applicants whose annual income falls within the free CHIP income range.

Families whose children need health insurance are encouraged to apply right away by going to the CHIP Web site at www.chipcoverspakids.com or calling 1-800-986-KIDS.