Are you considering enrolling in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)? In this article, you will learn about the differences between each program, how to check your eligibility on Benefits.gov, and how and where to apply.
Managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Medicaid and CHIP provide free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including some low-income citizens, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Both programs are managed by individual states, which means you will have to apply through your state agencies, rather than the federal government.
Are there differences between Medicaid and CHIP?
While Medicaid serves both children and adults in low-income families, CHIP was created to help build upon Medicaid coverage for low-income children and does not provide additional coverage for adults. Medicaid programs are required to provide certain coverage by federal standards, while CHIP’s coverage requirements are established by the individual states.
Medicaid and CHIP help millions of Americans by providing free or low-cost health coverage. Managed at the state level, there are some differences between these programs depending on which state you live in. For example, in Florida and California, cost and coverage may differ. In some states, Medicaid has been expanded to cover all adults below a certain income level. Some Medicaid programs pay for your care directly, while others use private insurance companies to provide Medicaid coverage. While CHIP is an independent program that serves children, CHIP works closely with the Medicaid agency within each state.
How do I check my eligibility?
Checking your eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP is simple; some states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover all people below certain income levels. Use HHS’s tool to check to see if you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP based on income alone.
To check your eligibility for Medicaid, CHIP, and over 1,000 other benefit programs, use the Benefit Finder on Benefits.gov. Curious about other health and medical resources that may be available for you and your family? Explore the Healthcare and Medical Assistance category on Benefits.gov and filter by state to find resources available in your area.
Even if you don't qualify for Medicaid based on income, you should still apply. You may qualify for your state's program, especially if you have children, are pregnant, or have a disability. You can apply for Medicaid at any time of year.
How do I apply?
There are a couple of ways to apply to Medicaid and CHIP programs. First, you can apply by filling out an application on the Health Insurance Marketplace on Healthcare.gov, where you must create an account to begin the application process. After submission, if you meet the eligibility criteria for your state for Medicaid or CHIP, the Marketplace will send your information to your state Medicaid agency, who will contact you about enrollment.
After you submit your Marketplace application, you’ll also find out if you qualify for an individual insurance plan with savings based on your income instead. Plans may be more affordable than you think!
You can also apply directly through your state’s Medicaid agency. To find out where and how to apply in your state, visit Medicaid.gov and find your state contact here.
To discover more government benefits you may be eligible to receive, complete our Benefit Finder questionnaire. The Benefit Finder will ask you a series of questions and compare your answers with the eligibility requirements of over 1,000 government benefits to check your eligibility. While you cannot apply for benefits directly on Benefits.gov, we can help you find information on how to apply and direct you to the program’s managing agency who can answer your questions.
