Kids & pregnancy

CHIP & Medicaid for kids and pregnant women

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid cover kids and pregnant people in households that earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. Income limits vary widely by state.

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CHIP vs Medicaid for kids

  • Medicaid (kids): free or near-free, federal/state co-funded. Income limits generally 138–266% FPL depending on state and child's age.
  • CHIP: for kids in households above Medicaid limits, typically up to 200–400% FPL. May charge small premiums or copays.
  • Some states run a separate CHIP program; others fold CHIP into expanded Medicaid (combined structure).
  • Pregnant Medicaid: most states cover pregnancy from 138% FPL up to 200–300% FPL or more, often through 12 months postpartum.
Kids' CHIP/Medicaid eligibility is checked when you apply on HealthCare.gov or your state exchange — eligible kids cannot also receive APTC.

State-by-state limits

California

CA
Medi-Cal for Kids & Pregnant Women

Colorado

CO
Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)

Delaware

DE
Delaware Healthy Children Program

District of Columbia

DC
DC Healthy Families

Hawaii

HI
Hawaii QUEST / Med-QUEST

Iowa

IA
Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (Hawki)

Kansas

KS
KanCare (HealthWave)

Kentucky

KY
Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP)

Maryland

MD
Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP)

Massachusetts

MA
MassHealth (CommonHealth / Family Assistance)

Minnesota

MN
MinnesotaCare / Medical Assistance for Kids

Mississippi

MS
Mississippi CHIP

Missouri

MO
MO HealthNet for Kids

Montana

MT
Healthy Montana Kids

New Hampshire

NH
NH Healthy Kids

New Mexico

NM
New Mexico Medicaid for Kids

North Carolina

NC
NC Health Choice (now Medicaid)

Ohio

OH
Healthy Start (Medicaid for Children)

Oklahoma

OK
SoonerCare (Medicaid)

Oregon

OR
Oregon Health Plan (OHP) for Kids

Pennsylvania

PA
Pennsylvania CHIP

South Carolina

SC
Healthy Connections (Medicaid for Kids)

South Dakota

SD
South Dakota CHIP

Washington

WA
Apple Health for Kids

West Virginia

WV
West Virginia CHIP

Source: KFF Medicaid/CHIP eligibility tables. Verify with state agency before enrolling.

How to apply

  1. Start a marketplace application — kids' eligibility is determined automatically.
  2. Apply directly to your state Medicaid agency (links on each card above).
  3. Call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669) for a state referral.

Sources

The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only. We are not responsible for missing or inaccurate information. Please consult a licensed insurance broker in your state and area for insurance advice. Please consult a CPA for tax or legal advice.

The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only. We are not responsible for missing or inaccurate information. Please consult a licensed insurance broker in your state and area for insurance advice. Please consult a CPA for tax or legal advice.