CHIP stands for the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
It is a U.S. government program that provides health insurance coverage for children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private insurance.
It covers children up to age 19 in most states
It provides comprehensive health coverage including doctor visits, immunizations, hospitalizations, prescription medications, dental and vision care.
Each state runs its own CHIP program within federal guidelines.
Families typically pay low or no premiums, deductibles, or co-pays
37,271,981 people were enrolled in CHIP or were children enrolled in the Medicaid program in the 50 states and the District of Columbia that reported child enrollment data for January 2025 .
It’s worth noting that these numbers include both CHIP and Medicaid enrollment for children, as the programs work together to provide health coverage for low-income families.
CHIP specifically serves children in families with incomes too high for Medicaid but still unable to afford private insurance.
Together, these programs provide health coverage for nearly half of all children in the United States.