CHIP Insurance Program in PA: 2023 Guide for Low-Income Families

What is the CHIP Insurance Program?

The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a federally funded health insurance program for low-income children. In Pennsylvania, CHIP is known as the HealthChoices CHIP program.

Income Guidelines for CHIP in PA

To qualify for CHIP, children must meet the following income guidelines:

Benefits of CHIP Insurance

CHIP provides a wide range of benefits for children, including:

• Well-child visits
• Immunizations
• Sick visits
• Hospital care
• Prescription drugs
• Dental care
• Vision care
• Mental health services

Applying for CHIP Insurance

To apply for CHIP insurance, you can:

• Online: Visit the COMPASS website at www.compass.state.pa.us.
• Phone: Call the HealthChoices customer service line at 1-800-985-6100.
• Mail: Download an application from the Department of Human Services website and mail it to:

PA Department of Human Services
Bureau of Health Services
P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105

How Much Does CHIP Insurance Cost?

CHIP is a free or low-cost health insurance program for children. Families with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) are eligible for free CHIP coverage. Families with incomes between 138% and 400% of the FPL are eligible for low-cost CHIP coverage.

CHIP Premiums in PA

CHIP premiums in Pennsylvania vary depending on family income. The following table shows the monthly premiums for children enrolled in CHIP:

CHIP Eligibility in PA

To be eligible for CHIP in Pennsylvania, children must meet the following requirements:

• Be under the age of 19
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Live in Pennsylvania
• Meet the income guidelines

Renewing CHIP Insurance

CHIP coverage must be renewed every year. To renew your child's CHIP coverage, you can:

• Online: Visit the COMPASS website at www.compass.state.pa.us.
• Phone: Call the HealthChoices customer service line at 1-800-985-6100.
• Mail: Download a renewal form from the Department of Human Services website and mail it to the address listed on the form.

CHIP Contact Information

For more information about CHIP, you can:

• Visit the CHIP website at: www.chip.gov
• Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website at: www.dhs.pa.gov
• Call the HealthChoices customer service line at: 1-800-985-6100

Conclusion

CHIP is a valuable health insurance program that provides low-income families with access to affordable health care for their children. If you have a child who is eligible for CHIP, we encourage you to apply today.