Program

CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program)

Verified · October 23, 2026 Deadline soon — check dates

Call 1-800-986-KIDS (5437) Apply / official site

Organization: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS)
Who qualifies: Children and teens under 19 years of age who are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or qualified immigrants, are residents of Pennsylvania, are uninsured, and are not eligible for Medicaid. No family makes too much for CHIP coverage. Once enrolled, children are guaranteed 12 months of coverage unless they no longer meet the basic eligibility requirements, and families must renew every year.
Income limits: Three tiers per the official 2026 CHIP Income Guidelines Chart and FPIG appendix (effective March 1, 2026): Free CHIP at or below 208% FPIG, with no premiums or copays; Low-Cost CHIP above 208% up to 314% FPIG, with an average premium of $65-$104 per child per month plus copays; Full-Cost CHIP above 314% FPIG with no upper income limit, with an average premium of $281 per child per month. If income is below the lowest CHIP amount, the child may be referred to or enrolled in Medical Assistance.
Documents needed: Income amounts for your entire household before taxes (employment and all other income, such as Social Security, pension, workers' compensation, unemployment, and child support); Social Security Numbers and birthdates for all applicants; day care expenses for your household (if any); work transportation expenses for your household (if any); private health insurance information (if you have or had private health insurance in the last 90 days).
How to apply: Apply online through COMPASS; apply by phone through the CHIP helpline at 1-800-986-KIDS (5437) (select prompt 2, then prompt 1 for application assistance); or apply by mail with a paper application (English or Spanish). Once a signed application is received, you should know within 4 to 6 weeks whether your children are eligible.
Languages: Paper application available in Spanish on the pa.gov CHIP page.
Cost: Free CHIP: $0 premium and $0 copays. Low-Cost CHIP: average premium $65-$104 per child per month, plus copays (for example $5 doctor visit, $10 specialist visit, $25 emergency room visit). Full-Cost CHIP: average premium $281 per child per month, plus copays (for example $15 doctor visit, $25 specialist visit, $50 emergency room visit). Rates per the official CHIP Income Guidelines Chart, premiums effective January 1, 2026.
Last verified: October 23, 2026

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