Medicaid program was started to provide the benefits of insurance related services to low income people. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) both play a vital role in ensuring health care coverage for children from low-income families.
Both Medicaid and CHIP are administered by the states. The program aims to provide better healthcare to the poor and ensure that low-income children have adequate healthcare coverage. Every state offers fairly comprehensive coverage for children.
What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a government-provided health insurance plan that covers prescription drugs and hospital expenses. Health coverage for children from low-income families is a key initiative in the government’s efforts to cover those in need. These schemes are for people with low incomes or disabilities.
Medicaid requires states to cover a wide range of services, including checkups, doctor and hospital visits, and vision and dental care. Medicaid also provides free or low-cost medical coverage to adults.
Who does Medicaid serve?
Medicaid programs serve specific groups of people, including:
- Pregnant women with low income
- Children of low-income families
- Children in foster care
- People with disabilities
- Seniors with low income
- Parents or caregivers with low income
States can also choose to expand eligibility to other groups, such as people with low income who may or may not have children.
Find out if you’re eligible for Medicaid
If your income is too high for Medicaid, your child may still qualify for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Medicaid provides free or low-cost medical care to the following eligible individuals:
- Low-income adults
- Children
- Pregnant women
- People aged 65 and over
- People with disabilities
Required Documents
You may need to provide certain documents when you apply for Medicaid benefits. The documents requested vary by state. Your state Medicaid agency may ask for the following information:
- Your name and date of birth
- Your Social Security number
- Your monthly payment amount for rent, mortgage, or utilities
- Proof of citizenship or immigration status
- Proof of income, such as paystubs or W-2s
- Verification of other government benefits you receive
- Information about the insurance plan provided to you by your employer or the insurance plan you currently have
Chip
CHIP was established in 1997. It helps children who don’t qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford private health insurance. This program significantly increased the number of children eligible for health insurance. If you’re pregnant and enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, your newborn will automatically be enrolled as well.
State Medicaid Websites
| STATE | WEBSITE | PROGRAM NAME |
| Alabama | medicaid.alabama.gov | Medicaid |
| Alaska | dhss.alaska.gov | Medicaid |
| Arizona | azahcccs.gov | AHCCCS |
| Arkansas | humanservices.arkansas.gov | Medicaid |
| California | dhcs.ca.gov | Medi-Cal |
| Colorado | colorado.gov | Health First Colorado |
| Connecticut | portal.ct.gov | HUSKY Health |
| Delaware | dhss.delaware.gov | Medicaid |
| Florida | myflorida.com | Medicaid |
| Georgia | dch.georgia.gov | Medicaid |
| Hawaii | med-quest.us | Med-QUEST |
| Idaho | healthandwelfare.idaho.gov | Medicaid |
| Illinois | hfs.illinois.gov | Medicaid |
| Indiana | in.gov | Medicaid |
| Iowa | dhs.iowa.gov | Iowa Health and Wellness |
| Kansas | kancare.ks.gov | KanCare |
| Kentucky | chfs.ky.gov | Medicaid |
| Louisiana | ldh.la.gov | Healthy Louisiana |
| Maine | maine.gov | MaineCare |
| Maryland | health.maryland.gov | Medicaid |
| Massachusetts | mass.gov | MassHealth |
| Michigan | michigan.gov | Medicaid |
| Minnesota | mn.gov | Medical Assistance |
| Mississippi | medicaid.ms.gov | Medicaid |
| Missouri | mydss.mo.gov | MO HealthNet |
| Montana | dphhs.mt.gov | Medicaid |
| Nebraska | dhhs.ne.gov | Heritage Health |
| Nevada | dhcfp.nv.gov | Medicaid |
| New Hampshire | dhhs.nh.gov | Medicaid |
| New Jersey | state.nj.us | NJ FamilyCare |
| New Mexico | hsd.state.nm.us | Centennial Care |
| New York | health.ny.gov | Medicaid |
| North Carolina | medicaid.ncdhhs.gov | Medicaid |
| North Dakota | hhs.nd.gov | Medicaid |
| Ohio | medicaid.ohio.gov | Medicaid |
| Oklahoma | oklahoma.gov | SoonerCare |
| Oregon | oregon.gov | Oregon Health Plan |
| Pennsylvania | pa.gov | Medical Assistance |
| Rhode Island | eohhs.ri.gov | Medicaid |
| South Carolina | scdhhs.gov | Healthy Connections |
| South Dakota | dss.sd.gov | Medicaid |
| Tennessee | tn.gov | TennCare |
| Texas | hhs.texas.gov | Medicaid |
| Utah | health.utah.gov | Medicaid |
| Vermont | healthvermont.gov | Medicaid |
| Virginia | dmas.virginia.gov | Medicaid |
| Washington | hca.wa.gov | Apple Health |
| West Virginia | dhhr.wv.gov | Medicaid |
| Wisconsin | dhs.wisconsin.gov | BadgerCare Plus |
| Wyoming | health.wyo.gov | Medicaid |
How to apply for CHIP
You can apply for CHIP in one of the following ways:
- Find a CHIP program by state.
- Create an account with the Health Insurance Marketplace and fill out an application.
As part of CHIP, the states have simplified the enrollment process. Anyone can apply for a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace.