CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)

What this actually is

Low-cost comprehensive health coverage for children in families that earn too much for Medicaid — and in some states for pregnant women too. Routine well-child doctor and dental visits are free; other services may carry a small copayment. The misunderstanding that costs families the most: they buy a Marketplace plan for the kids. Do not. If your children qualify for CHIP they are NOT eligible for Marketplace savings anyway, and CHIP is almost always cheaper and covers more — including dental and vision, which children's Marketplace coverage often does not. Second misunderstanding: families assume a parent has to qualify too. The child can be covered by CHIP while the parents are uninsured or on a Marketplace plan; they are separate determinations.

Who qualifies, and what trips people up

Each state sets its own CHIP income rules, and they are meaningfully higher than that state's Medicaid limit. You can apply and enroll any time of year — there is no open enrollment window. One application covers both: apply to your state agency for Medicaid and you are automatically screened for CHIP, or file at HealthCare.gov and your information is sent securely to the state. Benefits differ by state but all states provide comprehensive coverage including routine check-ups and dental and vision care; some states add more. Common trip-up: a family whose income rose out of Medicaid assumes the children lost coverage entirely, when the children should have rolled into CHIP — call the state and ask.