Children's Insurance Program
Your children may qualify for FREE or LOW-COST health coverage through Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or the Children's Access Card.
If you applied for CHIP in the past and were told you didn't qualify because you earned too much...apply again! New programs have increased the income levels and your children may now qualify.
It's easy to apply for CHIP! Simply complete a short application and mail it to the Health and Welfare CHIP Unit in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Applications are available at all DHW offices, hospitals, community and migrant health centers, by dialing 2-1-1 or calling the Idaho CareLine number 1-800-926-2588. Applications in English and Spanish can be downloaded from the internet at www.idahochild.org.
What is CHIP?
CHIP, Idaho's Children's Health Insurance Program, provides FREE or LOW-COST health coverage to kids under 19-years-of-age. Depending on the family income, this coverage may be free or cost up to $15.00 per child per month. CHIP benefits include: Doctor Visits, Hospital Care, Dental Care, Eye Glasses, Immunizations, and Mental Health Services.
What is Children's Access Card?
The Access Card is a premium assistance program for families who prefer to obtain health coverage through a private insurance company or through their employer. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare pays up to $100 per month per child (with a maximum of $300 per month) to help parents buy an employer-sponsored plan or an individual health insurance plan. Parent pay any deductibles/co-pays.
How else can CHIP help me?
CHIP may also help with your unpaid medical bills. If your kids qualify, they may receive CHIP coverage for up to three months before they applied.
Will anyone know if I apply?
Your application will be confidential. You do not need to provide social security numbers or information about citizenship for anyone except the kids who are applying. You are not required to provide information regarding an absent parent when applying for medical coverage for your child.
How will I know if I qualify?
CHIP and Children's Access Card are designed for working families whose children don't have health insurance. Your kids can qualify even if you have a job. This chart shows the maximum monthly or yearly income for a family. Even if your family's income is over this amount, you may still qualify because some kinds of income are not counted. For example, step-parent's or grandparent's income generally does not count.
Click HERE for 2006 Idaho Guidelines (before taxes) for CHIP and Access Card. For more information about CHIP visit www.idahochild.org.